I just know that I’m a fan of all different kinds of genres. You’re supposed to be free doing music, and that’s how I feel.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

There are many things I do where the centre of it is… It’s almost more my humanitarian work than art.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.

As a comedian, I found this thing, this profession, that suits my mind and life force. To drop it to do something else? I just don’t get that.

One day, I’ll be listening to a bunch of Ray Charles, the next day it’s nothing but Red Hot Chili Peppers. The next day it might be Tupac all day.

Art was, seriously, the only thing I’d ever wanted to own. It has always been for me a stable nourishment. I use it. It can change the way that I feel in the mornings.

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.

When I don’t feel free and can’t do what I want I just react. I go against it.

You can’t imagine parlor ballads drifting out of high-rise multi-towered buildings. That kind of music existed in a more timeless state of life.

My music definitely comes from a place of experience. Everything connects to a truth.

And I try to give the best bang for the buck. I love performing more than anything else.

Lyrics are the only thing to do with music that haven’t been made easier technically.

Refuse to be a lazy Christian, and resist a passive, apathetic attitude.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

I’m working on my life story. I’m not decided if it’s going to be a musical or a movie with music in it.

We all have wings, but they have not been of any avail to us and if we could tear them off, we would do so.

If I didn’t have my films as an outlet for all the different sides of me, I would probably be locked up.

I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free.

Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.

I love to play music. So why endanger that with something like drugs?

I love to dance, but my children tell me I shouldn’t. Can’t see why.

I know people said I wasn’t selling out in America, but that was entirely untrue. We sold out all over the world, and every night I looked out into the fans and those front rows that you’re talking about, the tears, the honesty, the inability to not be completely overjoyed because they felt accepted.

I would love to study guitar or trumpet.

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.

True liberal government is founded on the emancipation of men.

A well governed appetite is the greater part of liberty.

There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.

I don’t know which will go first – rock ‚n‘ roll or Christianity.

I’ve always been a fan of melody and emotional melancholy, whether it was Rites of Spring or Tears for Fears or Neil Young. If I hear a song that has a sweet melody, I’m a sucker for it, whether it’s Linkin Park or Little Richard.

Music belongs to the people. To no one else. To no one else.

Music, even with these dial-up connections you have to the Internet, is very practical to download.

There’s a reason why the Foo Fighters don’t blast out Nirvana songs every night: because we have a lot of respect for them. You know, that’s hallowed ground. We have to be careful. We have to tread lightly. We have talked about it before, but the opportunity hasn’t really come up, or it just hasn’t felt right.

So there’s nothing more provocative than taking a genre that everybody who’s cool hates – and then making it cool.

I feel much freer now that I am certain the pope is the Antichrist.

I don’t like the name, U2, actually.

The fame isn’t important to me. It’s a blessing to have. Having so many people that support me, that love me and listen to my music, is beautiful.

We don’t make music – it makes us.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

All of my music is honest.

When I was growing up, there were no women in orchestras. Auditioners thought they could tell the difference between a woman playing and a man. Some intelligent person devised a simple solution: Drop a curtain between the auditioners and the people trying out. And, lo and behold, women began to get jobs in symphony orchestras.

I do like Burial; he’s so curiously clumsy, you can’t help but be moved. It’s so un-Hollywood, and the rhythms are so un-danceable.

Freedom is a right ultimately defended by the sacrifice of America’s servicemen and women.

I often get ideas for songs on the tour bus at odd times. Like at 6am when no one is around, I’d just write.

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.

It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence.

I try to sprinkle a little gems and jewels in the music that people could use in their own life.

The Heads were the only band on that scene that had a groove.

The best football is always about expression of emotion. Always.

Skill is the unified force of experience, intellect and passion in their operation.

You can’t really imagine music without technology.

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.

When we’re falling in love or out of it, that’s when we most need a song that says how we feel. Yeah, I write a lot of songs about boys. And I’m very happy to do that.

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.

In memory everything seems to happen to music.

If there’s not drama and negativity in my life, all my songs will be really wack and boring or something.

I try to devote my afternoons to making music in my home studio, but it’s a lot more fun hanging out with musicians and friends, and trying subtly to influence a band than making your own stuff.

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

Nobody likes to fail. I want to succeed in everything I do, which isn’t much. But the things that I’m really passionate about, if I fail at those, if I’m not successful, what do I have?