I think it says wonders about people that can write an entire album, and put out an entire album of great songs. I mean, the Brad Paisley's, Alan Jackson especially, even Taylor Swift - those people can really pen great stuff.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
By the end of the writing process, which is about 80 songs per album, I look at the material and think, what's going to make a difference in someone's life.
To me I think artists in general make a statement - and for the rest of their lives - every album, every book - are variations on a theme.
If you look at the content of songs people write, it's usually about the things they know best.
I think people appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides. The whole angst thing is cool, but if that's all you've got, it's just boring. Everything I write, whether it's happy or sad, has a sense of humor to it.
A whole album to one writer - now that would be really interesting.
Writing songs is really about writing. It's not about necessarily focusing on one particular style or making it one particular thing.
It's like whether you're in a huge movie or you've just recorded an incredible album you've got to do the next thing, and that's part of being an artist.
I'm a writer, first and foremost, and I sort of take my cues from the songwriters of the '70s, who are talking about what's really important to them.
It's the coolest part about writing music. I don't know how other people work, but so much is derived from some amalgamation of all these different songs that I love. That's why they jump all over the place.
Some artists will tell you that's all they want to do is write their own music, and that's great, but George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, they didn't write everything they recorded, and they've had major, major careers. I think it's all about the best song.