I was turning 20 during my first record. Those decade birthdays always kind of cause me, it seems, to reflect, look back, and then look forward. I just was closing this period of my life where I was living in a car and scrambling my whole life to then signing a six-record deal with Atlantic.
— Jewel
Some people want fame, popularity and huge sales. I've always hoped to have a really long career. So I've tried to make each of my creative decisions and business decisions to allow for longevity. As a side effect I got really famous and really big. I didn't realize the two could go together.
The things you fear are undefeatable, not by their nature, but by your approach.
I'm becoming more and more myself with time. I guess that's what grace is. The refinement of your soul through time.
Being part of the natural world reminds me that innocence isn't ever lost completely; we just need to maintain our goodness to regain it.
The writers I respect the most had an undying commitment to a vision.
I don't see the world unless I see it in ink.
I never found much comfort in overly organized religion of any sort.
Most of us don't spend any time knowing ourselves. We just keep reacting.
I'm not a partygoer.
I love being in a band.
I've been performing on stage since I was six years old.
I'm fairly specific about what I like to wear and looks are important to me, just like they are to everybody.
My whole goal is to keep my spirit intact. If that doesn't happen, none of this is worth it.
I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire life and trying to make sure my whole life is balanced.
My second record I used a producer, which was frustrating in a way, because I think a lot of the punky spirit and provocative nature of the lyrics didn't come across - the music was pretty.
I've always had a love for poetry and when I got signed to a record label I thought, 'How odd that I'm doing a record before a book of poetry,'
I have this theory- that if we're told we're bad, then that's the only ideal we'll ever have.
Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend.
I would always encourage people of any age not to be so quick to follow other people's truths but to search and follow your own moral code and live by your own integrity, and mostly just be brave.
I don't exist without writing.
What's great about music is it takes so many kinds of people, including me. Everybody is in a different place.
So what are we given? We're also given, my generation, the disillusionment of our parents.
I'm not a wild and crazy person.
You have a different crowd every night, so you should do a different show to suit them. I tailor the show to their mood.
I tend to eat what I want, which probably isn't good.
I grew up doing live tours and playing in bars, so it was what I love to do.
Once you are successful, there's a very seductive rhythm at work that keeps you wanting to outdo yourself. By the end of 'Spirit' I felt like I didn't want to get into that trap. It almost makes you cartoon-like.
Records have never really been my strong suit. I've always been a much better live act. I didn't understand the language of the studio. You sing differently in a studio. The language, the craft - it's just a whole different deal. I avoided the problem on my first record by doing a live album.
I'm half alive but I feel mostly dead.
I get bored very easily. I have a voracious appetite and I do not feel alive if I'm repeating something I'm good at. So I'm always looking for new challenges.
If I'm a phenomenon, it makes me feel like I have no purpose.
I find you get out of people what you put into them.
I have a sneaking suspicion that all religions lead to the same place, a very unified place.
Writing is a really good first step toward that goal of knowing yourself.
I think when kids just see well-crafted poetry, it's just obtuse to them. It's hard to relate to.
I love playing big rooms. There's nothing like it. It's a power trip.
The show is different every night, because I never write a setlist.
On my own I generally have very messy hair, wear jeans and sneakers.
Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous, there's really nothing to lose. There's no wrong you can't make right again, so be kinder to yourself, you know, have fun, take chances. There's no bounds.
