John Waite

I like imperfection.

— John Waite

When you play live, everything goes up.

— John Waite

I've never had a plan.

— John Waite

I don't like studio-manicured things.

— John Waite

I never wanted to be this week's fashion.

— John Waite

I thought my wife and I would grow old together, but it just didn't work out.

— John Waite

My brother was the first in Lancaster to have a Fender Stratocaster.

— John Waite

You know, I still find music as inspiring and exciting as I did when I was 15.

— John Waite

The moment you stop becoming an artist, you kind of trade it all in.

— John Waite

I wanted to write music that would be around for a long time.

— John Waite

I just tried to disappear and write songs.

— John Waite

I love country music, and I did as a kid.

— John Waite

I decided I couldn't ever again deal with the megabusiness end of the music business.

— John Waite

I feel like I've got this great catalogue of songs sink or swim, it doesn't matter. If you've got that, you've got…

— John Waite

I was going to be a painter. I went to art school - but every 16-year-old wants to be a painter.

— John Waite

I was hanging around New York, getting used to being on the street. I didn't have any friends I didn't know anybody…

— John Waite

All the songs I've written, if they don't sound good on acoustic guitar, they won't sound good at 11.

— John Waite

Coming off the back of the live album, there was a certain edginess and an almost punk energy that I've missed for…

— John Waite

Experience teaches you a few tricks, but energy is key. Its what keeps you pumped.

— John Waite

When we're out touring, we often go to clubs to see people play. The alternative is to go back to the hotel…

— John Waite

You can't keep going back to Detroit because you're big in Detroit. You can go maybe once a year and sell it…

— John Waite

I ran out of steam and patience and so I quit. I really didn't want to make another record. I'd had it…

— John Waite

Country was always in the background, but now it's the voice of the people. That's what the people want to sing, you…

— John Waite

I liked Western country, like cowboy songs, when I was a little kid. Then I developed a taste for Hank Williams and…

— John Waite

I'm almost a black singer. And without the backbeat, it's singer/songwriter. There's a definite choice to be made there, every time. And…

— John Waite

When I think of a song, I think of it as a beast. You chase these beasts around the room and try…

— John Waite

It was a free-for-all; the BBC wouldn't play anything so we had pirate radio playing the African-American music and the Beatles and…

— John Waite

You might be talking to someone who relates a song to losing a friend and you end up talking in the most…

— John Waite

Songs, and songwriting keeps me inspired, moving forward. I tend to scribble down notes, lyrics or just random thoughts on pieces of…

— John Waite

Marty Robbins was one of the first singers that really hit me hard.

— John Waite

Songs, and songwriting keeps me inspired, moving forward.

— John Waite

There's a lot of compromises, but that's what a great record should be, really.

— John Waite

If something feels right, then just do it.

— John Waite

You shouldn't have to follow fashion to make music.

— John Waite

Heavy metal these days is what I call wimpy.

— John Waite

It's amazing what the acoustic guitar can bring to the picture.

— John Waite

My heart's in New York City. But you can't live that pace forever.

— John Waite

In my world, I like everything stripped down, something that's really truthful.

— John Waite

I really don't align myself with anything.

— John Waite

Music can have a real timeless quality - and, really, it's all about energy.

— John Waite