I'm just not that fascinating a person to have had all those lives that I've written about.

A wise man once said, 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.'

I distinctly remember a conversation with my band in the van where I was having a complete meltdown. It was 1984, I think, and I was huddled in the back corner of our van and saying, "I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this." I didn't want to play any more shows. I just wanted to stop.

For every great thing we did, there is a very public moment of falling on our faces. But everything that came through us as a band was a distinct vision of R.E.M.

Frankly I'm not great with heroin addicts. I tried heroin, but it was by accident. I'm not great with that level of substance abuse.

When you meet a stranger, look at his shoes. Keep your money in your shoes.

My feeling is that labels are for canned food... I am what I am - and I know what I am.