With the White Stripes we were trying to trick people into not realising we were playing the blues. We did not want to come off like white kids trying to play black music from 100 years ago so a great way to distract them was by dressing in red, white and black.

People have sort of a problem trying to see an end to a situation as being positive or romantic.

A lot of people in the media, and some everyday people, really aren't in search of the truth. They're in search of something worse than that. Money, yeah. I think the media's the kind of a thing where the truth doesn't win, because it's no fun. The truth's no fun.

I certainly wouldn't want a song that I'd already written to be used on a commercial. That seems strange.

I believe I am a better director than actor. I enjoy acting if the part is right. Directing comes very naturally to me. I enjoy it. I am very confident in my work.

I didn't really even think of recording under my own name for a long time. I thought, 'I've got the rest of my life to do that.'

I trust no one who hasn’t time for music.