"I really didn't mean anything against [John Mellencamp]. He's a pretty good songwriter. He's from Middle America, and that's what he writes about. Maybe too much sometimes. "I was born in a small town." OK, we get it. But, you know, he
was born in a small town. Look at me and New Orleans. I've spent a thousand days there total, and I've squeezed every last drop out of that place, right down to the accent."--Randy Newman