I don't like James Bond. They made him a super hero, but he is just an agent, a human being. In my movies, secret agents are more realistic, I didn't want to portray them in the most glowing colours.

And, so yeah, I'll always want to work in independent films because you're not forced into a category or a formula.

Every one of us is an artist, and as an artist, you really can stroll into any venue that you want, as long as you take your time to learn the etiquette of that venue.

One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.

We want to assert the very principle that truth is absolute, truth is supreme, truth is never disposable in national political life.

I've turned down a lot of arena dates because I've done the big-arena thing. Now, I want to do something where people can feel me and I can feel them.

I'm not crazy about arenas just because I can sell them out. It doesn't do anything for my ego at all. I want to play places where people don't have to sit in the nosebleed seats and wonder what the hell is going on.

If I live for another ten years I shall probably have written all that I want to write.

I don't think that I want to meet any of the icons. I don't think that anybody can quite live up to your expectations.

I think that if you idealise someone for so long, they can only disappoint and I wouldn't want to be disappointed by those people.

If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make one mistake.

I must tell you I take terrible risks. Because my playing is very clear, when I make a mistake you hear it. If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make one mistake. Never be afraid to dare.

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.

You have to know exactly what you want out of your career. If you want to be a star, you don't bother with other things.

I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.