Austin Powers.

He told me, ‘Don’t give me an album of pop songs like people will expect, songs that will get played on the radio. Take some risks.’

He was a rare talent and a beautiful man.

I felt alienated at school, and I never did well with girls.

You could say, ‘How does a guy who has written love songs his entire life suddenly decide to rock the boat?

I couldn’t get out of town fast enough, to go and hide. I went down to Delmar, north of San Diego, and pretty well did nothing for a year, just hibernated.

[Things only get more right-wing when Bacharach unveils] Where Did It Go? … When I was a young boy/ 12 years old/ Growing up in New York City/ I could ride the subway by myself/...

I had to express myself, not only musically but lyrically. It was time for me to ask, ‘Who are these people who are taking control of our lives and how do we stop the violence?’...

People ask why a man who has been known for writing love songs all of his life is suddenly rocking the boat. I had to do it. This is very personal to me, and this...

I recorded the song live in front of an orchestra, and yes, I was very moved, I was in tears.

Stuff just kept going more wrong and more wrong here as I was writing.

Things are starting to change ? it’s not so terrific for the world now.

I started playing piano with a little band in high school. I was terrible. I thought I had absolutely no talent. I couldn’t keep time. I only got into McGill, which was a lousy music...

Who are these people that keep telling us lies and how did these people get control of our lives and who’ll stop the violence ’cause it’s out of control? Make ’em stop.

I’m afraid of public transportation,

I was blown away by the standing ovation. I’ve had tributes before, sure, but I don’t retain that feeling, and I wasn’t prepared for it on Tuesday. But maybe you shouldn’t retain these things or...

[In addition to shaking up the lyrical content, he also rethought the musical elements.] I was working with structures that weren’t like a normal song, … no vocal starting at the top and going to...

[The album’s closing track,] Always Taking Aim, … a Greek chorus … It just turned out to be a different kind of form: instrumental with vocal interjections of key things that were important for me...

I’d met Dr Dre, he was thinking about his next album, we talked a little and he said, ‘Let me give you some of these loops and see what you come up with’.

I don’t think of it quite that way. It’s interesting that you do. I’m thinking more about what’s gone wrong in the past four years. You come from a different political spectrum. The thing is,...

This Is the Night.

I’ve always had a problem with people who couldn’t tell the truth or admit a mistake and say they’re wrong.

I’m afraid of public transportation. I was just in London, where they’re blowing up buses. It’s a more dangerous world.

He was a rare talent and a beautiful man, and his voice was unlike any other. I have great memories of working in the studio recording with Gene. He was a great guy.

Alfie.

If Bush said just once: ‘Boy. I hope you accept my apology as a country,’ or showed some humanity.

A small town is a place where there’s no place to go where you shouldn’t.

Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.

He was one of the few singers that you knew without hearing more than a few notes, that it was him.

It’s not getting any better, is it? I don’t want my 19-year-old boy going into the army. I love these little kids. They understand how passionate I am.

I feel it is the most important album I have made and I am very proud of it. I’m pleased that Columbia is joining me in this journey, because these times require passion and emotion.

Dre gave me these loops, and as confining and challenging as they are, the sound is extraordinary, and they’re a great foundation to work over,

He was a great guy, and I will miss him.

Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember.

It’s a big loss. We’re losing too many singers.

Because I was small, I was getting the hell kicked out of me playing football.

I always wanted to write a song with him, … and we got a chance.

The music is the last thing I’m thinking about right now, in order of what’s important.