some words from Andrew Bird's blog at the NYTimes...

I never worry about the melodies drying up. Since I can remember, I’ve had melodies in my head. I chew my food to them.

Words are much trickier.

I would forgo words altogether if I didn’t love singing them so much.

So writing lyrics becomes like running multiple code-breaking programs in your head until just the right word with just the right number of syllables, tone of vowel and finally some semblance of meaning all snap into place.

I’m kind of the opposite of the confessional singer-songwriter who fills notebooks full of poetry and intones them over a bed of chords.

I’m really an instrumentalist who sings words and if you care to pay attention you might enjoy them.