Is „Anthem“ in any way an answer to Dylan’s song „Everything is Broken“? I had a line in „Democracy“ that referred specifically to that Dylan song „Everything is Broken,“ which was „The singer says it’s broken and the painter says it’s gray…“ But, no, „Anthem“ was written a long time before that Dylan song. I’d say ’82 but it was actually earlier than that that that song began to form.

… I think Dylan has lines, hundreds of great lines that have the feel of unhewn stone. But they really fit in there. But they’re not smoothed out. It’s inspired but not polished. That is not to say that he doesn’t have lyrics of great polish. That kind of genius can manifest all the forms and all the styles.

Dylan said, around the time that „Hallelujah“ came out, that your songs were almost like prayers. I didn’t hear that but I know he does take some interest in my songs. We have a mutual interest. Everybody’s interested in Dylan but it’s pleasant to have Dylan interested in me.