People want to hear about the extremes of human nature. They want things that are larger than their own lives, and more romantic, and not necessarily…

- Richard Thompson

I want people to come to my music without prejudice. I want them to get the music first. And who I am isn't that important. If they like the songs to…

- Richard Thompson

I think it's absolutely possible to write a song and go somewhere where no one's been before, uncharted territory. In terms of content, I see limitat…

- Richard Thompson

Will there be any bartenders up there in Heaven, will the pubs never close?

- Richard Thompson

It's fun to sing sad songs. And it's fun to listen to sad songs. Enjoyable. Satisfying. Something.

- Richard Thompson

I'm glad I can do both full-band electric and solo acoustic performances. It's nice to have contrast, so if you get fed up with one, you can just swi…

- Richard Thompson

I just like to entertain myself by sitting down and writing songs.

- Richard Thompson

When you stand up acoustic in front of an audience, you really are a man without any clothes on. And that can be fun - it depends how much of an exhi…

- Richard Thompson

As the writer, you're always a presence in the song. If you get close to what human beings are like, you're writing about common experience. We all d…

- Richard Thompson