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I've always gone into the studio with a very clear understanding of a song, of the words or, if it's an instrumental piece, of the melodies, and that never changes.

I usually enter the studio with a mix of songs that I've been listening to that are relevant to the sound I want to achieve.

You have to focus hard on recording songs that you believe in.

I generally prefer to come in to the studio with a fully written song and then work on the arrangement with the band. Sometimes even the arrangements are pretty much already worked out in my head, but other times we experiment.

I just go in the studio and write on the spot and see what comes out.

I get the music, I get the beats. And I go to the studios and write the lyrics.

I would have to work on the song and figure out how they wanted the song done, because they're such high-intensity songs. We figure that out first, then I go back and listen to it and go over and rehearse stuff with it and try to get a feel for the words.

I feel like you listen your whole life, so when you are in the studio, your references are all the songs and music that you know. It just depends on where the songs are going and what attracts you at the moment.

I got several litmus tests for songs, but usually the people at the publishing company... they're straight-shooters.