The secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place.

Success is buried in the garden of failure.

My life revolves around music and always will. I need to be a part of music and not an observer.

When I die, I'll probably climb out of the coffin and play the organ at my own funeral!

Tales From Topographic Oceans is like a woman's padded bra.

When the first list was being drawn up in the rock and roll book of Genesis, it would have been: In the beginning, God created Pink Floyd.

As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist.

But I listen to live recordings of things that I did back in the '70s and then how I've done things since. And there's no doubt about it: if I compare the two, it's like chalk and cheese.

People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

Country and western is the music of the devil. Thats the real truth of the matter. My late Mother, bless her, loved country and western. God, I couldnt handle it.

Ive been married three times and divorced three times.

There are no vacant lots in nature.

The thing I love about working with first-time directors is that it's always quite shocking how little difference there is between them and directors who've been directing all their lives.

Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates

I'd rather violate every one of the damn conventions and see my bills passed, than sit back in my office, all nice and proper, and watch 'em die.

To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing.

No one will calmly and quietly submit to bear the cross except those who have learned to seek their happiness beyond this world.

My mother was the source from which I derived the guiding principles of my life.

Ginger Rogers was one of the worst, red-baiting, terrifying reactionaries in Hollywood.

Uh, stay fat people - That's my motto. It's no picnic!

What I want is to be number one.