Cee-Lo Green believes writing a song is an "act of faith".

The 'Bright Lights, Bigger City' singer confessed he has no idea if a song is going to be a hit when he creates it, but writes all his tracks from the gut.

He said: "You have to go with what you feel. Every time you write a song it's an act of faith.

"I hate to ruin it for people. Maybe I should start saying I expected the hits, but honestly, it would be like saying people are predictable and that's a little insulting."

Cee Lo - real name Thomas DeCarlo Callaway - also confesses his career path has "shaped" him as a person.

The 36-year-old star added: "I've always been recognisable in one way or another. Music did a lot for me - it gave me shape, form and fashion."

Despite being best known for his pop songs - including 'Run' and 'Crazy' with Gnarls Barkley - Cee Lo was originally inspired by the rock scene.

He said: "Rock 'n' roll always spoke to me. Judas Priest had the look that I liked- when I was young I wanted to wear spikes.

"I like things to be sincere andBlack Sabbath was the most genuinely evil music that I heard."