"I really need to know I may just never see you again, or might as well You took advantage of a world that loved you well Im going to a town that has already been burnt down Im so tired of you, America."
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded eleven studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set Shakespeare's sonnets to music for a theatre piece by Robert Wilson.
"The song is about knowing the end result of every situation youre in, and being able to play it out in your mind and see it before it happens. Its about addiction, really, about knowing how its all going to end up. In that sense, youre watching a movie of yourself all the time – and then you want out of that movie."
"I believe in freedom Freedoms apparently all I need But whos ever been free in this world? Who has never had to bleed in this world?"
"When I first came up with the lines, I dont know what it is, but you got to do it/ I dont know where to go but you got to be there, I was at this party for The Strokes in New York. There was this prevailing sense of, Were not quite sure whats happening or what is cool, but we know that its somewhere around here, in this room. It was this vague confusion, with everybody kind of sniffing for blood. It wasnt that it was a bad party, or that I dont like The Strokes; I just think theres a lot of confusion right now in the music business. Then, later on, I realized the song was really personal. I didnt know where I was, and I didnt know I was actually lost. It wasnt about the party at all; its about searching but not knowing what youre searching for. Theres the train motif, being on this train heading for either oblivion or salvation – and just holding on for dear life. That song came down from some mountain somewhere, because it was right after I wrote it that I sort of packed it in."
"Evil Angel is an interesting song. Its actually to do with a journalist who, uh... I was in France at the time and quite delicate... and this guy basically seduced me in Strasbourg... he gave me a tour of the town and it was very romantic, and we did actually make out in the middle of this town square... and then I went and did the show and I never heard from him again. And I just felt incredibly used. I think a lot of it has to do with, once you get into this business, you do have to become some kind of a machine. You do have to be heartless at times and be able to plough through certain situations. I dont want to totally become that person, but its good that Im thinking about it."
"Why am I always on a plane or a fast train? Oh what a world my parents gave me Always Travelin but not in love.Still I think Im doin fine Wouldnt it be a lovely headline? Life is Beautiful on a New York Times."
"Who will be at Sanssouci tonight? Its only when youre outside that you notice Only through the window you can see them Once the door is open, all will vanish."