It never ceases to amaze me that I get to do this for a living.
It's funny; Luther and I have written many songs together, but we've never written songs in the same room.
I can't wait to front my band with these new songs and play for fans, but I've decided to keep my day job too.
Doing my own album provided me the opportunity to say whatever I wanted.
I've never, ever in my life enjoyed playing live the way I am now.
But once you have some success in one style, the business wants to lock you in that vein forever.
I understand that, but this disc shows the type of music that I've always liked and wanted to make.
I think I do better when things are a little tougher.
People take songs so literally.
I fell off stage and bruised some ribs. The worst part was that the audience didn't realize I was gone.
I don't think I've ever laid out a batch of songs that pick myself apart the way that these do.
In the past, there has always been so much pressure about carrying a show and promoting a record.
So it was just a case of getting a bunch of songs that I had been writing for years but hadn't recorded together, and the result was My Own Best Enemy.
When things are too easy I lose interest in them so I find ways to complicate them to get myself interested.
As a songwriter, there's nothing better than winning Song Of The Year. But I couldn't really celebrate, because it wasn't right. Luther wasn't standing next to me, to receive the award.
But I'm just having fun playing and giving Botox injections to the older songs.
But more importantly, I think he remembered how very close I was with my own dad, who had died in 1997.
I think really what I'm saying is that I thrive on adversity.
The only thing that's a little tricky about it is sometimes people assume that if it's a new song, it's a reflection of what you're feeling or going through now.
I've never written a song that I thought was a hit.
I didn't want my last chapter to be the guy who sits at the piano and sings love songs.
I really didn't have any plans to record prior to doing My Own Best Enemy.
I'm now so keenly aware that I have everything to prove and nothing to lose.
My joke, which isn't really a joke, is that there will be one of two tours: the tour for the album that does well, or the tour for the album that stiffs.
One time Robert Plant was set to check into the same room after I checked out, so I removed every light bulb and ordered up a bunch of stinky cheese and put it under the mattress.
And to any new fans we made along the way, I say... welcome to our party. It's just starting to get going.
I've always loved groups like U2 and Coldplay.
I love when people get songs wrong. I love when people take something from a song that's totally not what I intended!
I have complete freedom, and there's no way to get pigeonholed or bored. What could be better than that?
I'm happy, I would say that I'm one of the happiest people I know but I've certainly had periods of profound sadness, depression and heartache and those are the kind of things that are interesting to me to write about.
The lonely heart you see tonight will not give up without a fight.
To me, there was no better drummer than Jeff Porcaro. His musicianship and kindness to me will never be forgotten. Our loss is heaven's gain
Too caught up in me to see, I'm holding a fortune that heaven has given to me. I'll try and show you each and every way I can, now and forever, I will be your man.
I saw your smile and my mind could not erase the beauty of your face.
I don't think it is pressure but I am aware sometimes, especially on this new album, that people were going to really pay attention.
Take a good look around and you'll find people trying to mess with your mind.
It don't mean nothing til you sign it on the dotted line.
Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you