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

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

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

"Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember."

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

"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 you'd be on a permanent high."

"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 school, because they were taking American music students."

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

"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of."

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

"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'."

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