I write my own songs, and I only see their flaws.
— Chris Isaak
I think I had kind of an advantage. When I was growing up, my dad had just got out of jail and he had a great record collection. He had - it was all - these were the songs. So I heard a lot of these songs, like, my whole life, so for me it was easy. I already knew what I was going to sing.
If I would get an album out every eight months and if I would write songs that were more up-tempo and try to focus more on making singles, then I could probably get more attention. But I don't think the albums would be very fun to listen to, and it would be a drag for me.
I don't think I've had a more miserable life than a lot of people. I think I've had a pretty lucky life.
I think I've had the slowest, most methodical career in the business.
I'm a natural ham. It doesn't bother me to perform.
When I play it I look out and see people hold on to each other and dance or just couples leaning into each other and kiss. And I'll go: 'You know, I could have worked hard at school and been a dentist. But I'm so glad I didn't.' Because when I look out and see that I feel like the Pied Piper of love.
I blow up fireworks all the time, and I love making milkshakes and banana splits.
I'm not the kind of guy to talk about angels: I'm a very pragmatic kind of guy.
I put music on and I drive around town.
I hate modern car radios. In my car, I don't even have a push-button radio. It's just got a dial and two knobs. Just AM. One knob makes it louder, and one knob changes the station. When you're driving, that's all I want.
In the long run, there are people who've made more money or had bigger stardom at points. But, I think I'll have come out winning.
One thing, when you're an actor, you finish something and then you have to worry about what the next gig is. When you're a musician, you can always write your own stuff, and I'm working on new stuff for a new album right now.
My mom and dad played this music all the time when I was growing up, so to me songs by Jerry Lee and Fats Domino are the classics, they're the best songs ever.
The tough thing about radio is I've met a lot of people in it who like my music. But it's hard for them to figure out how to play what they like when there's somebody up above them yelling 'you have to play this.'
I think as far as self-promotion goes, I probably have a lot to learn.
I remember listening to the radio as a kid and finding that the songs always made me feel more peaceful. Funny, but the more hurtin' the music was, the better it made me feel. I think of that now when I write my songs. I may not be feelin' the blues myself, but I'm writing them for other people who have a hard life.
I'm not a very spiritual guy when it comes to music. I remember hearing Carlos Santana say that angels helped him write his songs. And I thought, 'Really, angels?'
I don't spend as much time on my hair as people think. I get out of the shower, whack some grease on there and I'm done.
I wear a lot of second hand clothes unless I have a concert and then I wear beaded and sequined second hand clothes. No stylist dresses me although I do have a woman that assists me with the buttons.
I keep things pretty simple.
There was a misconception about me when I started off because I had my hair greased up and I have some vague resemblance to the hillbilly gene pool that Elvis came from. People would say, 'You want to be Elvis' and I would say, 'No'.
I come from a small town and I come from a background where we didn't have money to travel. I thought I'd have to join the military to get to Europe. So I'm thrilled to travel.
My only expenses are probably guitar strings and records.
I talk to people who are musicians, and they go, Oh this is hell. And I go, Are you kidding me? You never put tar paper on a roof, did ya?
I think I'm in a really nice position, where I'm sure I could do another show if I wanted to do one, but right now the main thing in my mind is writing songs.
I still don't know if I'm good enough or if it's a calling or a vocation or something, but the talent part is out. My desire to do it is undoubted. I just love doing this.
I never set out to write a certain kind of song, I just play my guitar and see if I catch something.
When people ask me really stupid questions or get it really wrong, I feel embarrassed for them. I don't really feel angry at them.
I didn't grow up in the typical happy American home, but music was always a safe and wonderful place for me to go.
The '50s was a pretty wonderful time for people, it was hopeful.
My advice is: if you've got to be miserable to write great music, then drive a truck.
I'm the star of stage, screen, and television now, but I'm also available for children's parties and bar mitzvahs.
Any time you talk about your own stuff you sound self-aggrandising.
I'm in showbusiness. I'm an entertainer.
Singing is something that I'm always happy to do it and going in the studio I never felt any pressure. I just feel like I get to sing, you know. It's fun.
I got by as a musician since day one. I don't live beyond my means. I have real cheap tastes.
The things that got me through grade school are helping me out later in life. It's like, I show up on time. If you buy a ticket to one of my shows, I'll show up. I'll be there. And if it says 10:00, I'll be on stage at 10:00.
