Quotes from Atif Aslam

We all die. The goal isn't to live forever. It is to create something that will.

I am making good music, and I want people to listen to it.

The point of teaming up with American musicians was that there was no better way than that of music to let people from both the sides know what either of them thinks about the other.

I know that out of the thousands of people who show up, maybe nine of them will actually understand what's going on stage, music-wise. But no one should be sitting down in my concert.

I have realized that there is no point making plans, because it'll never end; you're never going to win the world. I thought at one point in time I am going to do that, but you cannot. So I am just enjoying myself.

I've heard legends and maestros praise my voice. It's overwhelming. I'm a nobody who shouldn't be at the receiving end of the such comments, and I'm extremely humbled.

I don't consider myself to be a great musician, but my first album was a record hit in Pakistan.

You are thinking about the music, about the mathematics of it. It's time-consuming and energy-consuming at the same time. That's why I take my time off, my family time, as inspirational. I cool off.

If you're at the top, people worship you wherever you go. But when you're dying down, it's difficult to sell tickets!

I am not obsessed with social media fame, but I do think that it's a great tool by which I can stay in touch with my fans.

I have never composed a song keeping in mind that I should touch any social issues.

There was no music at all during my childhood. The first time we heard music was when my eldest brother bought a tape recorder. Even then, only he was allowed to touch it. But in our house, we listened to legends such as Muhammad Rafi, Mehdi Hasan, Noor Jehan, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi.

To be very honest, my reason for getting away from 'Pepsi Battle of the Bands' was because I was on tour. I wanted to be on tour, and the amount I was asking for, they said that they couldn't pay it.

Fatherhood has changed me and my perspective towards life.

Our parents were very prim and proper, but we always got one toy every day. That was a ritual. The money didn't really matter.

The industry can choose to ignore my work if they want, but my fans won't.

Making music is what drives me - not awards, not Internet fame, not even exorbitant amounts of money. My fans call themselves 'Aadeez,' and they are the most loyal lot. I make my music for them. I love them.

Most of the songs I've written have painted a picture on how I have evolved, what I see in people, what inspires me.

I never thought about making music because it has to be a hit. There are so many better singers out there who are better trained in music, but I am probably the chosen one... I have not discovered any formula for staying relevant.

I have performed all over the world to packed audiences. I don't have to be a trained musician to prove my singing abilities to my critics.

Yes, I think I am like the sea. I appear calm on the surface, but there's a lot going on within. Many a times, I may not react to certain things, but that doesn't mean that I don't care or I don't have emotions.

Yes, everybody has bullied me. They kept saying I was nasal and what not.

I have seen really happy people in my life sing really well. Yes, when people get fame, then there's depression.

I really miss my youth. I'm not being ungrateful, but there was an Atif who used to roam the streets, who didn't care whether his photograph was taken or not, who used to hang out without people staring at him. I miss that carefree life and would give anything for it, even if it only lasts a few moments.