When the Brain Grabs a Tune and Won't Let Go: "If I wasn't in the business of songwriting, I'd probably be seeing a doctor,' Mr. Diamond said. 'I've tried everything from cold showers to listening to other people's music, but nothing helps.'
Most of his songs spring from a melodic swatch of six notes repeating in his mind. 'I'll be driving or watching TV or having lunch, and it just invades,' he said. 'It's a horrible obsession, but it seems to have paid off.' "