I never got into sports at all until I was in my early 20s, after my music career got going.
Pop music was supposed to be a flash in the pan, but here we are 50 years later and it means something to us, and it always will do. It's incredibly important.
I think if you're a painter, you paint; if you're a golfer, you golf; if you're a fisherman, you fish; if you're a musician, you play music.
During college I realized I had a music predisposition and really got involved in it. I started playing bass guitar. That was how I began to fit in.
Think about the number of people who do film music, make records and have a Native American heritage - and I may be the only one on the list.
When I hear bluegrass today, I hear so many new sounds in it. It's almost like country music in a way.
A lot of people think that the music was responsible for a lot of changes in the Sixties, but I think the music came out of it. The music wouldn't have happened without the social changes.
We always thought we had to follow a certain theme but I don't agree with that anymore. I think the fans deserve a wider variety of music.
I don't mind putting my heart out there for the audience, and for the country music fans... to be vulnerable with them... that's my job as an artist.
I have Aboriginal roots on my father's side, and have always indentified with that spirit. I feel a lot of my music comes from that place.
People don't really understand who I am. They always think that I'm very dark or depressed, but it couldn't be further from the truth!
We live in an era of consumerism and it's all about desire-based consumerism and it has nothing to do with things we actually need.
I still kind of believe this absurd line that if you have to write it down, it's not worth remembering.
I'm the kinda person, you gotta fight for everything you get. You gotta believe in yourself.
But think of the last guy. For one minute, think of the last guy. Nobody's got it worse than that guy. Nobody in the whole world.
There are people all over the world who are willing to exploit others. You can't just point the finger at America.
Within three months I had gone from being this black sheep of the town to suddenly becoming a pop star.
It is not about writing those hits again. I am sure I could write them, but it is about the sensibilities.
I have never truly applied myself. Lots of things have come too easily to me and at too high a level.
I do a lot of co-writing with my producer RedOne, and then a lot on my own. I just like to be creative.
I wish my parents had been more strict and made me learn more instruments.
