I really appreciate my performing so much better as I get older. I don't take it for granted anymore. I really relish it and love it.
I was ready to approach her with my English charm when her brass knuckled boyfriend grabbed me by the arm.
People with HIV are still stigmatized. The infection rates are going up. People are dying. The political response is appalling. The sadness of it the waste.
I'm not walking around the stage; I'm not moving.
Welcome to the world of bullshit my dear. You have arrived.
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear you're a butterfly and butterflies are free to fly fly away high-away bye-bye.
After claws and feathers he took skin and bone shaped it like an hour glass and made the angels moan.
He'd been drinking in a bar downtown when he thought he heard a choir of angels singing in the Tiki Lounge. And that's when he got religion.
There ain't been no angels in heaven around since God invented girls.
I've got to do something to make up for all those self-absorbed and selfish years when I just you know was taking drugs sitting in my room doing bad things whatever.
To fight the violence we must be brave hold on strong to the love God gave.
I spent the last week of Ryan's life in Indiana Indianapolis with Jeanne and Andrea Jeanne his mother Andrea his sister and some other beautiful people who came. And it taught me a lesson.
Talk to each other. Never go to bed when you're angry with each other. Lady Antonia Frasier who was married to Harold Pinter said they never went to bed on an argument.
I didn't sleep with anyone until I was 23.
I've been going to Russia since 1979. I've been going quite frequently and I've always had a wonderful rapport with the Russian audiences and with the Russian people.
Fame attracts lunatics.
I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians.
When a rumor doesn't go away it's not a rumor
I was more ashamed that I couldn't work the washing machine than the fact that I was taking drugs.
I've only been interested in the artistic side of life.
On Keith Richards: He's like a monkey with arthritis.
I used to get my money at the end of the week buy my mum something or buy a record and that was it.
I love the way the American trade magazines never give anybody a bad review because they're afraid the advertising will be taken out. It's so hysterical.
I'm 57 I can't look like a 30-year-old. You try to hold age at bay but there comes a point when you just have to give up gracefully.
I love football but I'm sick of the World Cup. I don't even care about England.
An agent is a person who is sore because an actor gets 90% of what they make.
Don't you know Iâ?m still standing better than I ever did. Looking like a true survivor feeling like a little kid. I'm still standing after all this time.
And I'm afraid in this day and age trust which I count so you know I love loyalty. I love trust.
And I trusted someone to look after me on the business side of life.
I was never told a thing about sex so I was very naïve - as were my friends as well but me especially.
I suspected my homosexuality but I'd never acted out on it because I was afraid of sex. It's awful to be afraid of sex.
Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.
I'm addicted to working. I mean I have a list of 100 countries I want to play in. I'm basically killing myself by travelling so much for no reason whatsoever.
But actually my drug addiction thing I was so stubborn.
Love's like a junkie addiction's a fact. Passion's a monkey you can't keep off your back.
The work became like the drug addiction the clothes anything in my life. It became - it's become an addiction. I'm addicted to working.
I've always enjoyed and loved playing live. I relish and cherish it more than anything else because you never know what the performance is going to be.
Rocket Man burning out his fuse up here alone.
Sometimes when I'm flying over the Alps I think â??That's like all the cocaine I sniffed.'
I've had an amazing professional life personal life but at 64 to have a son who gives us that much love and enjoyment is wow!
As a child as a teenager I was kind of not allowed to wear fashionable clothes.
I'm glad I've given up drugs and alcohol. It would be awful to be like Keith Richards. He's pathetic. It's like a monkey with arthritis trying to go onstage and look young.
It's so easy to write songs about misery and hard times and sadness. It's much more difficult to write songs about happy and chirpy stuff.
Who really needs a new album from me?
I never really made a full album in Los Angeles before.
Everything I thought I'd hate about having children - the crying the screaming - nothing fazes me. I love it all and it's relaxed me.
And I agreed with that and I couldn't wait to change my name anyway because I'm not too fond of the name of Reginald. It's a very kind of '50s English name.
I knew about AIDS. My friends were dying right left and center. I did a record with Dionne Warwick Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight. I did a couple of benefits.
But until we get rid of that shame then people are going to stay underground they are not going to get tested and we're facing an uphill battle [with AIDS].
Drunk all the time feeling fine on elderberry wine.
I do like my rock stars to be a little larger than life. I don't mind the earnest ones at all but I do like a bit of individuality.
I tried to commit suicide one day. It was a very Woody Allen-type suicide. I turned on the gas and left all the windows open.
It was Scotty Moore's guitar riff [in "I Want You I Need You I Love You"] when he was doing The Steve Allen Show that got me into rock music.
I love every minute of fatherhood staying up all night changing nappies kids crying I find it really funny and inspiring. It connects you to the world in a new way.
If I was to say what I am I'd be a Labour man. I like Tony Blair a lot I think he's a good man. And in America I'd definitely be a Democrat; I'd never be a Republican.
I'm cold as a razor blade inches from madness.
We have come so far. It's become a real bipartisan cause which I'm very happy to see. And in the case of America and it's - certainly without America we'd be facing catastrophe.
You can cage the songbird but you can't make her sing. And you can trap the free bird but you'll have to clip her wings.
I had no balance in my life. I was this one person onstage and this one person offstage but [someone] who really didn't know much about living.
I had a little Richard and that black piano oh that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy form Tupelo.
I get bombed for breakfast in the morning I get bombed for dinner.
Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan it really changed the way I wanted to make records.
People in England are so bloody nosy.
When stars collide like you and I no shadow blocks the sun" - The One
I've never had a writer's block but still I think: Is it going to happen this time? You never know what you're going to get; you just put your fingers on the keys and hope.
Blue jean baby LA lady seamstress for the band. Pretty eyed pirate smile you'll marry a music man. Ballerina you must have seen her dancing in the sand.
Tina Turner gave me the highway blues.
I guess that's why they call it the blues time on my hands could be time spent with you.
Laughing like children living like lovers rolling like thunder under the covers and I guess that's why they call it the blues.
Better to build a bridge than a wall.
I have a much better relationship with the press than I did I think because I stood my ground.
I'm a juvenile product of the working class who's best friend floats in the bottom of a glass.
A couple of sounds that I really like are the sounds of a switchblade and a motor bike.
I mean Sting is one of my great buddies and I love him to death.
I've got that resilient thing inside me. But I wasn't a happy bunny.
I do like Britney Spears. I think she's cute. I think she's fun. And I like her records. You know I'm not a pop snob whatsoever. I think she makes great pop records.
My mum always used to buy a record every Friday.
I'm the ultimate record fan. I still go out and buy records.
Hold me closer tiny dancer count the headlights on the highway. Lay me down in sheets of linen you had a busy day today.
My old man is drunker than a barrel full of monkeys but my old lady she don't care.
He [george W. Bush] lived up - well he was someone that I wouldn't have voted for. His policies were not mine.
No tears to damn you when jealousy burns.
Love is the key we must turn truth is the flame we must burn.
It's like trying to drink whisky from a bottle of wine.
Oh teacher I need you like a little child you got something in you to drive a school boy wild.
Bands today have to learn their craft by putting the hard work in that we did when we were young performers.
She's got electric boots a mohair suit you know I read it in a magazine.
I love drag queens and I love going to see them perform because those people have got so much character and bravery. Such balls! I love people with balls.
I'll not complain about your boring life if you just leave me to mine
The French are useless. They can't organize a piss-up in a brewery.
Well as I was saying... everyone's so nice to me usually.
For me music is so passionate I have to give it my all every time I go onstage.
I have an optimistic view of everything. You have to otherwise you'd go nuts.
I'm very relaxed. I'm very happy with my personal life.
The thing about Vegas is I don't have to fly anywhere and that really helps. It means I stay in one place for three weeks at a time instead of flying backwards and forwards.
They [sic] ain't gonna stop me from coming here baby.
There's no pressure for me to go out there and say I've got to have a top 40 hit because it's not going to happen.
The Backstreet Boys can sing their asses off. I'm not so sure about those other boy bands. But Backstreet Boys have my ultimate respect.
I cannot bear successful people who are miserable.
Well I've had my fair share in Britain of battling the tabloids.
Make this man a saint now OK?
I'm a very wealthy man.
I was just genuinely shy. I'd always been a shy kid.
And there are men behind bars who pray for the light and there are men in the suburbs who pray for the night.
My mother encouraged me and was very great about me being gay but she always encouraged me to follow my musical dreams which I'm very grateful for.
I'm not bored with my life. I'm not just making the records and touring I would find that boring.
It's just so wonderful to have someone in the house like a child to turn your attention to. It's not about you anymore it's about this lovely little human being.
I had progressed as a performer but I hadn't progressed as a human being.
I never thought of myself as being handsome or good-looking or whatever.
I never thought of myself as being handsome or good-looking or whatever. I always felt like an outsider.
It was Saturday late have you seen my mates can you tell me when the boys get here? Well it's seven o'clock and I want to rock and get a belly full of beer.
I've watched other people singing I've become a much better singer. I've become a singer that plays the piano instead of a piano player that sings.
I'm so proud to be on a Kate Bush record; she's always marched to the beat of her own drum.
You can beat her but don't mistreat her. Oh don't believe that woman please.
I loathe gardening but I love gardens and I have two beautiful gardens. I can not bear gardening but I love gardens.
I grew up at my grandmother's house and she had a beautiful garden. I used to hate mowing the lawn and weeding which is what you do when you're a kid.
Basically I wanted redemption for the way I lived my life beforehand and that was the drugs the drink the loose sex whatever...
And it's one more beer and I don't hear you any more.
Well I'm a huge fan of Ryan Adams who's from North Carolina. And he's beginning to break really quite big.
What record companies do these days is drain the blood dry of an album take six singles off it and harm the longevity of artists' careers by doing it.
I was sitting in the classroom trying to look intelligent in case the teacher looked at me.
You can call me a fat balding talentless old queen who can't sing but you can't tell lies about me.
Chefs aren't celebrities: they're chefs.
I loathe celebrity. I can't stand it.
I don't want a Jennifer Lopez wedding or anything like that. A commitment ceremony would be a nice thing to do.
I think that's the graveyard of musicians playing cabaret. I think I'd rather be dead than work in cabaret. It's just so depressing.
I grew up conservative because my mum was a conservative and when I finally realized what conservatives were I changed my mind immediately.
I really don't need the public's money. I'd like to have something on the internet with charitable donation optional where anyone can download my music for free.
I don't have to compete in the charts. I can just be myself as a musician a songwriter and play with the musicians that I really love.
If there's a God in heaven what's he waiting for? If He can't hear the children then he must see the war.
I'm a great lover of children. I never thought that one day I'd actually be a father but I'm very pleased that I changed my mind. Children are extremely important. They are the future of the world.
It's the circle of life and it moves us all through despair and hope through faith and love 'till we find our place on the path unwinding.
You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.
This is a tremendous assest for the club a tremendous headache lifted from our shoulders really.
Cocaine made me talk forever. The most nonsensical rubbish that you could ever think of.
I've had my fills of cocaine and pills.
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids in fact it's cold as hell.
I've got a great collection of photography.
When people go to rehab and come out they go through a difficult period but I never had that.
I tour as many countries as possible and I've toured every state in America plus every province in Canada.
Nothing should be an issue when it comes to sexuality in the first place. Music is the one artform where people feel comfortable coming out.
Poor cow you'll get your dumb man. You'll see your whole life coming at you in the back of his hand.
The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave; why aren't they coming together?
The only thing the record companies put out now is 'Best of '
I think Jesus was a compassionate super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems
Like a candle in the wind never knowing who to cling to until the rain set it.
You and your oven are capable of great things Remember no two ovens are the same.
It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics to set you on your feet again.
I like Stevie Wonder. I usually wind up playing the same old tapes in the car.
If there is a better singer in England than Craig David then I am Margaret Thatcher.
Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel.
I want to do a musical movie. Like Evita but with good music.
Top dog top hat move that muscle move that fat.
I still want to play music but I don't want to look like Donald Duck while I'm doing it.
This overload is edging me further out to sea I need to put some distances between overkill and me.
Well we can't leave anyone behind just because they are sex workers or they are needle users intravenous drug users prostitutes.
Lawdy Mama those Friday nights when Suzy wore her dresses down tight.
Someone saved my life tonight sugar bear you almost had your hooks in me didn't you dear?
All this science I don't understand it's just my job five days a week.
Well I quit those days and my redneck ways.
The less I say the more my work gets done.
Don't let the sun go down on me.
Yeah. I have been with David Furnish for eight years now.
I have a lot of money stashed away but I do live my life from day to day.
There is nothing wrong with going to bed with someone of your own sex. People should be very free with sex they should draw the line at goats.
To forgive and be forgiven if it's the last thing I do then in death's release I may find the peace that in life I never knew.
Your eyes have died but you see more than I.
Once you have people around you who don't question you you're in a dangerous place.
When your persona begins to take over your music and becomes more important you enter a dangerous place. Once you have people around you who don't question you you're in a dangerous place.
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen.
Don't judge the picture by the frame every man is not the same
I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue.
Children are extremely important. They are the future of the world.
Johnny can't you come out to play in your empty garden?
Live for each second without hesitation
As Elton John my days on pop radio are over and I know that and I accept it and I'm not unhappy about it.
It was Elvis that got me interested in music. I've been an Elvis fan since I was a kid.
Ask anyone. If it hadn't been for Elvis I don't know where popular music would be. He was the one that started it all off and he was definitely the start of it for me.
Shock waves to a tired brain sends that hungry lady to my door again. She's my shelter from the storm when I feel the rain entertaining white powder.
I saw you dancing out the ocean Running fast along the sand A spirit born of earth and water Fire flying from your hands
I think people should be free to engage in any sexual practices they choose; they should draw the line at goats though.
I had to learn how to function as a human being. And I really enjoyed that process.
Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving.
It's very important to have two tiaras when you're on the road; you never know when you'll be invited to something really formal.
I didn't really know what I was until I came to America and I had sex [for the first time] in San Francisco in 1970. It was with someone of my own sex.
I'm the Connie Francis of rock 'n' roll.
I'm very relaxed. I have a family I have a partner of 20 years I have a wonderful life; nothing could be better.
It's much too late to save myself from falling.
And I talked to my doctor and I must admit you know I'm sometimes quite renowned for my outbursts and I was just very frustrated maybe a little frightened.
I've always been dead set against festivals - really suspicious and wary.
I just wish more of my fellow queers would come out sometimes. It's nice out here you know?
Because I figured that because I was a successful man I was wealthy I was you know seemingly intelligent - even that I am not intelligent enough to ask for help.
Simon Cowell and I are great friends and we wind each other up. Rod Stewart and I do the same thing.
There is such a thing as good interference from your record label. I don't think I get enough interference from my record label.
But you know I have a pretty good relationship with the press and the paparazzi. It's just when they step over the line that you know enough's enough.
Goodbye Norma Jean From the young man in the 22nd row Who sees you as something more than sexual More than just our Marilyn Monroe
I hate to say this but I always listen to the music and the instrumentation first and then grab on to the lyrics later.
If you're stuck at a piano and you're not a lead guitarist or a lead vocalist you're kind of at a nine-foot plank and you've got to do something about it.
I've always wanted to smash a guitar over someone's head. You just can't do that with a piano.
The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star.
And there's no guarantee that if you get HIV and you take these triple therapies or whatever comes along next that they're going to be successful for you.
Some kneel and lie to God.
Getting paid for being laid guess that's the name of the game.
You should never take more than you give
I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind that I put into words how wonderful life is now you're in the world.
I used to take hostages in my relationships and not let people be independent. It always ended in disaster because you take away people's identity and they end up full of resentment.
We have a society where every hit maker and TV presenter is gay.
I have no one to leave the money to. I'm a single man. I like spending my money.
What a scandal if I die. Yeah I'm gonna kill myself get a little headline news.
It seems to me sorry seems to be the hardest word.
There's a lot of hate in the world.
Don't show up around here until your social worker's helped.
...I'm so over the tattoos and the T-shirts and rings through the noses. It's not pretty it's not pleasant it's not exciting. Please stop it now.
Ever since I had that interview in which I said I was bisexual it seems twice as many people wave at me in the streets.
Some men kneel and pray I like women and I like wine.
Don't shoot me I'm just the piano player!
On a street of right and wrong in every inch of sadness rocks and tanks go hand in hand with madness.
I do work a lot. I mean most of my income I would say comes from live performances. And then you've got publishing you've got record royalties.
He's been dead for so many years but I'm still trying to impress him. That's what gave me my drive. 'Look at me Dad I've succeeded.'
I don't whistle at you down the street. I would if I could but I can't whistle you see.
I just think you shouldn't expect people to pay money to see someone sing live and then lip-synch.
I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend [George Michael] - the kindest most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans.
There's a time for everyone If they only learn that the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn.
I am the most well-known homosexual in the world.
Loneliness was tough the toughest role you ever played. Hollywood created a superstar and pain was the price you paid.
Until I can visualise what the lyrics are about and see the story or whatever I can't hear the melody.
Don't be afraid to let her into your heart and when your down don't try to carry the whole world on your shoulders.
I mean in some cases with libel laws you know they can write things about people who have no course of action because they can't afford to take legal action against them.
Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay 75 pounds to see them should be shot.
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
Holy Moses let us live in peace. Let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease. There's a man over there what's his colour I don't care he's my brother let us live in peace.
I just sit there and make up songs and sing to [my son] in gibberish. I'm very good at gibberish now.
I am such a Luddite when it comes to making music. All I can do is write at the piano.
I am totally against the war but violence is part of mankind and it's going to happen but as musicians I think we've got to step up and say 'come on'.
I think performers are all show-offs anyway especially musicians. Unless you show off you're not going to get noticed.
What we should be doing as musicians is trying to bring people together.
I want a love that don't mean a thing.
I'd walk a million miles to give her what she needs. But she would walk a million more to do what she believes.
The ugliest woman you'll ever meet but she's mine and she's ugly.
Unless you show off you're not going to get noticed.
If you write great songs with meaning and emotion they will last for ever because songs are the key to everything. Songs will outlast the artist and they will go on for ever if they are good.
Onstage it was always comfortable for me because that's where I felt at home. Offstage it was a different situation. I was still shy offstage.
I can't think of anything until I've got printed words in front of me. I never wake up in the middle of the night with a song in my head.
I went up to Prince and said 'I'm a big fan of your stuff' and he looked at me and just walked off...left me standing there like a ****. He's a prat but a clever prat.
I'll even pay sometimes for a woman that's ugly.
I don't have a computer. I am the Luddite of rock'n'roll I don't have a portable phone. I write things down.
Take me to the pilot of your soul.
I rarely wear tennis shoes. I'm 5' 8' I hate being short.
The worst thing you can do to a child and I've seen it happen so many times is the silver spoon.
Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees as an artist.
If you write great songs with meaning and emotion they will last for ever because songs are the key to everything.