March 1996
by Rob Tannebaum
The photos we see of you are very dramatic: big sideburns, leather pants, motorcycles. Are you very macho?
I do have a macho side. But I'm also very romantic. To write songs, you have to do a lot of digging into the poetic side, the make-believe side. So, as an antidote, when I finished the album, I got my guys together, and we jumped on bikes and rode for 15 days. K need to scratch myself without thinking about who's watching me. On these road trips, nobody comments about how I look in the morning (laughs).
While making 'Tennessee Moon," your 25-year marriage ended. Did that influence your songs?
It did, without any question. A number of the songs on this album are so close to my life, that they're difficult for me to listen to. I wanted to get my ya-ya's off. I got some things off my chest. It was real good therapy.
But it's not a typical "blue" breakup album.
Despite the little turns and tortures of life, I remain optimistic. There's one song on the album that is hopeless (laughs). I refuse to mention it by name, but it's probably the most passionate song on the album ("Open Wide These Prison Doors").
In "Talking Optimist Blues," how autobiographical are the lyrics "Tell me my career just died/Years ago I might've cried/NOw I'm just too old to do it?"
What I'm basically saying is: "Tell me my career is falling apart and dying and worthless, just like I am. And guess what? I don't give a s---. 'Cause I'm gonna have a good day today." It's painful. Like my psychiatrist says, all of it is fear. That's what dreams are made of, and lyrics, too.
Have you heard the theory that "Sweet Caroline" is about a menage a trois?
(laughs) I wish I could say it was something that interesting, but it's just a straight-ahead heterosexual love song.
You've oftern been described as a cross between Bob Dylan and Tom Jones. Do you feel closer to the writing part or the performing part?
Writing is the more deeply satisfying experience. The performance is exciting and intense, but it has a short aferlife. I'll feel good for 5 or 10 minutes afterward if I sang well. But hter are songs that I wrote 25 years ago with ideas and lines that I still love.
What was the last song that made you cry?
Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car." I was very moved by that song.
Hmmmn. That was quite some time ago.
Well, I don't get moved that often. Once a decade is good.
Your son Jesse has been touring with you some, playing guitar in the band, and he co-wrote a song on "Tennesse Moon." Do you ever envy him for being at the start of his career?
Not at all. I don't envy that his father is known around the world as a singer and writer. He's trying very much to be his own person and to create his own music. I had nothing to live up to. My father was a haberdasher. Who cared?
What are the things you need to write a song?
I've been writing since I was 16 and doing it with love, devotion and focus -- but also trepidation. You always wonder whether you're writing anything worthwhile. I need the support of the audience, really, in order to write. It's too hard to do without someone saying "C'mon, you can do it." Just like my mom and dad did when I was unknown. I still need support. That, plus a guitar, a legal pad and a pencil, and I'm willing to take a shot at it.