Damien Rice Quotes

The fame and the money and all that stuff that comes along with it is all great, but that's not the sole purpose of why I make music.

Lots of people, from what I can see, just want to get into the music business for the glamour of it. But there isn't any, really. It's so up and down this industry, but if you really love it, nothing can stop you.

With my quick success, I didn't have time to learn the ropes of the music business. Because my first record was such a hit, I was terribly spoiled and I thought I couldn't do anything wrong. I was also desperate to make tons of money because of my responsibility to my daughter. And there was no longer any joy in making music.

I love what I do. I love playing music.

Tears for Fears was always very personal, but at the same time, it was always big business, a lot of pressure.

The guys from Hellyeah and the incredible music we've created have brought me back to what I love.

I just have this real love and connection with what I'm doing when I play music.

I think it's all about the people who listen to your music, and loving playing and writing. Once you've got those two, and they're your main two priorities, then radio and TV and all the other stuff that comes with it will come. But that's not the be-all end-all.

If it turns out to be a hit, well, good luck dealing with fame. And if it's not a hit and you can still survive and make music you believe in, well, then you're truly blessed. I think that's where we are now.

I love writing songs and being a musician, but you can't really buy the feeling of connecting with people.

I always love making albums. I'm passionate about it and it's something that's healthy for the soul and spirit.

I'm living my dream right now. I get to make music, perform and travel.

There was an enormous amount of pressure when my first album took off, and I struggled with the speed of everything and the exhaustion from the constant touring.

I'm a player and I do it because I love playing whether it's for my album or someone else's.

I realised that the only time I really enjoyed music was when I was in the studio writing. So even though it was a six album deal, they saw quite early on that I wasn't enjoying it as I should be. I didn't feel there was anything behind it.

To me, being in the big time is not that big of a deal. I've been there; I know what it is. It's exciting, but it's also a lot of work and pressure. I love sort of flying under the radar where we can play theaters and sell CD's on the Internet, and it's really kind of a cool time.

I am very fortunate to be doing something I completely love, so it is certainly not hard to get motivated. Watching people sing along and put their hands in the air is a very powerful thing. I'm 63, but I don't feel it. I feel like I'm in my 40s. I enjoy life.

I have always believed that there is nothing greater than a life in rock n' roll - it has to be good rock n' roll - and I still think it is true.

I'll keep working as long as I live because singing has taken on the feeling of joy that I had when I started, when my only responsibility was to sing well.

Playing and listening to music gives you a sense of fulfilment because you have to put everything in you at its disposal.

I enjoy keeping busy, and fortunately for me, there's a large audience out there who are keen to hear me sing. It's their love and affection that keep me going.

I really have a lot of respect for music, the art form of music. It's my whole life. I don't care about any of that other stuff. And I have always felt that way. I'll build a career on my own merits, my own hard work and nothing else.

When you're young and idealistic, you don't care: you'll play to no one, in your bedroom - like kids with football - you'll play anywhere; you just love the music. And then, bang - soon as you're in the industry, you think that's the dream. But that's when the dream starts to end.

Doing something that is your passion, in my case related to music and art, being a performer playing shows around the world, that is a dream come true.

I just want to play shows and write songs and make music. That's what feels good.