Richard Marx
It never ceases to amaze me that I get to do this for a living.
One time Robert Plant was set to check into the same room after I checked out, so I removed every light bulb and ordered up a bunch of stinky cheese and put it under the mattress.
I'm happy, I would say that I'm one of the happiest people I know but I've certainly had periods of profound sadness, depression and heartache and those are the kind of things that are interesting to me to write about.
I'm now so keenly aware that I have everything to prove and nothing to lose.
I've always loved groups like U2 and Coldplay.
Doing my own album provided me the opportunity to say whatever I wanted.
It's funny; Luther and I have written many songs together, but we've never written songs in the same room.
But more importantly, I think he remembered how very close I was with my own dad, who had died in 1997.
As a songwriter, there's nothing better than winning Song Of The Year. But I couldn't really celebrate, because it wasn't right. Luther wasn't standing next to me, to receive the award.
I fell off stage and bruised some ribs. The worst part was that the audience didn't realize I was gone.
I didn't want my last chapter to be the guy who sits at the piano and sings love songs.
In the past, there has always been so much pressure about carrying a show and promoting a record.
But I'm just having fun playing and giving Botox injections to the older songs.
I think really what I'm saying is that I thrive on adversity.
I think I do better when things are a little tougher.
When things are too easy I lose interest in them so I find ways to complicate them to get myself interested.
I've never written a song that I thought was a hit.
The only thing that's a little tricky about it is sometimes people assume that if it's a new song, it's a reflection of what you're feeling or going through now.
I love when people get songs wrong. I love when people take something from a song that's totally not what I intended!
People take songs so literally.
I really didn't have any plans to record prior to doing My Own Best Enemy.
So it was just a case of getting a bunch of songs that I had been writing for years but hadn't recorded together, and the result was My Own Best Enemy.
But once you have some success in one style, the business wants to lock you in that vein forever.
I understand that, but this disc shows the type of music that I've always liked and wanted to make.
I don't think I've ever laid out a batch of songs that pick myself apart the way that these do.
My joke, which isn't really a joke, is that there will be one of two tours: the tour for the album that does well, or the tour for the album that stiffs.
I have complete freedom, and there's no way to get pigeonholed or bored. What could be better than that?
I can't wait to front my band with these new songs and play for fans, but I've decided to keep my day job too.
And to any new fans we made along the way, I say... welcome to our party. It's just starting to get going.
I've never, ever in my life enjoyed playing live the way I am now.
I saw your smile and my mind could not erase the beauty of your face.Collection: Romantic
It don't mean nothing til you sign it on the dotted line.Collection: Mean
Take a good look around and you'll find people trying to mess with your mind.Collection: People
Too caught up in me to see, I'm holding a fortune that heaven has given to me. I'll try and show you each and every way I can, now and forever, I will be your man.Collection: Relationship
The lonely heart you see tonight will not give up without a fight.Collection: Lonely
To me, there was no better drummer than Jeff Porcaro. His musicianship and kindness to me will never be forgotten. Our loss is heaven's gainCollection: Kindness
I don't think it is pressure but I am aware sometimes, especially on this new album, that people were going to really pay attention.Collection: Thinking