I read his latest memoir where he says this:

“I know the style of performance on my albums is not typical of singer-songwriters; it is more of a spoken-word poetry set to music.” — Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner

He also went into detail about his intentions when he first recorded music, which did actually make sense.

Art.

Also makes me appreciate Joe Jackson’s music as well!