Quotes from Gord Downie

If you work hard enough I don't think it's possible to just repeat what you're doing.

I haven't written too many political lyrics. Nor have I written any pro-Canada lyrics, any kind of jingoistic, nationalistic cant... That stuff doesn't interest me and I don't even know if I could write that if I tried because I don't really feel it.

It will take 150 years or seven generations to heal the wound of the residential school.

In Canada, the major centers to play are very few and far between. Bands that are traveling in Canada really have to travel between gigs.

We got instant gratification when we would slip in one of our own songs and people would cheer. We started getting a lot of gratification from writing.

Being a dad, and being in a rock band, it's harder than it looks. But we tried. And we try.

You know, I've been hit with a Greb boot in the face and I've been spat on. And my kids light up when they hear these stories. It really takes their minds off their troubles.

I write lyrics. putting words and melodies to my songs. That's a real challenge, I take it on vigorously.

I'm just a student. I'm learning all the time, and, like anyone, I'm just looking for words I can use and a hummable melody.

When we watch dance, the artists and the audience are part of a momentary collective experience that will never happen again.

I'm a dancer. It's what I love to do more than anything.

Even 'The Inevitability of Death' is kind of a funny song more than anything. I mean, I thought it would be funny imagining radio deejays cueing it up and announcing it as people are driving off to work.

When I'm in front of a crowd, I don't think 'Oh, there's some hard-core metalheads and some alternative fringe types, so we should be okay.'

Even as a kid, I don't think I bought into a lot of the mythology about Canada.

In the past, when you were just starting out, you had a day and a half of studio time - maybe two, if your buddy's uncle lets you stay.

I work every day. I write every day. I walk around in silent conversation with my latest unfinished songs.

I'm not a rock star writing poetry. I don't feel like a rock star and I don't know what one is, actually. I'm a goalie/poet or a hotel guest/poet or a father/poet.

A live album is a no-brainer.

Nobody ever asks me about my lyrics.

Rock 'n' roll is not unlike love. You find it oddly strangely comforting that no matter how old you get, when it comes to matters of the heart, you're always 15 inside.

We've played on 'Saturday Night Live' and got not even a Rolling Stone review.

I think I'm a dancer in terms of what I do onstage.

When you're opening for someone, there's no pressure.

If we weren't in this band, some of us wouldn't be playing at all. You have tiffs with someone when he has smelly feet in the touring van, but we all respect each other as friends first.