We have broader goals, like to become better musicians or a better band or better songwriters or to put on a better live show.

Deep within I'm shaken by the violence of existing for only you...

We're a part of the fabric of people's lives at this point. As songwriters, but also as a band, we can stand up there and sing songs that (people remember) listening to the first time (they) made out in the car with somebody. It's a big privilege for us. When we walk out there and sing those songs, you see what's in the eyes of those people. We're singing about everybody.

We're still floating on air.

We tend to improvise and expand on the songs when we're on stage, and on the last couple of CDs, it was fine to put out something that felt unfinished, because we knew we were going to expand on it live. With 'Stories of a Stranger,' we were focused on how strong each song could be.

It's a much broader policy.