After my second-to-last record called "The Greatest," I had gone on tour for a while and I didn't play an instrument for about five years. And I got kind of - it's not self-esteem or whatever, not anger towards myself - but disappointed in myself that I hadn't been challenging myself to learn musically.

Cat Power

Categorized in : Years Play Self Esteem

We can all be free by Cat Power

We can all be free

mind looks

I think the hardest thing about my life is that I've met so many people all over the world who I love, but they're not friends with each other.

people world thinking

I used to want to be a war photographer, and I used to want to be a ballerina and a comedian. I used to want to be a writer. I invalidated myself; it’s a mistake for me. [...] There’s just a lot of stuff that really moves me, and I don’t know how to express it, and I just want to try to do the best I can and surround myself with good people who don’t invalidate me.

mistake war moving

I got more guts than brains, and that's my problem. by Cat Power

I got more guts than brains, and that's my problem.

guts problem brain

People and their religions don't affect me. by Cat Power

People and their religions don't affect me.

people

I've always done things myself. I've never bragged or screamed that I produced a record before. I never told anybody.

records done

I'm not a professional entertainer. I'm not Neil Diamond. by Cat Power

I'm not a professional entertainer. I'm not Neil Diamond.

entertainers diamond

Nobody considers a covers record an album. by Cat Power

Nobody considers a covers record an album.

records albums

I still haven't been able to capture the joy of what it's like when I sing - you know, when I'm by myself, or like when I was a little kid.

littles joy kids

I need to be able to face things. by Cat Power

I need to be able to face things.

able faces needs

I moved to Los Angeles to be with a man I loved. by Cat Power

I moved to Los Angeles to be with a man I loved.

moved los-angeles men

I don't come from money or an educated family background or any sort of supportive family life, so all of my choices are made on my own.

supportive choices made

Oh I do believe by Cat Power

Oh I do believe

believe

Life is hard and it gets worse and worse and worse. by Cat Power

Life is hard and it gets worse and worse and worse.

life-is-hard hard life-is

From folk to tribal to Cab Calloway, Cole Porter, Gershwin to the Rolling Stones, whose first record was all covers, to country-western, bebop, blues, and even the referencing in classic hip hop to cliched love ballads of the '80s or whatever - that is kinda gone, and that's just terrifying to me.

hips hip-hop country

Never give up, no, never give up by Cat Power

Never give up, no, never give up

giving-up easy might

I am human and I make mistakes. by Cat Power

I am human and I make mistakes.

i-make-mistakes making-mistakes mistake

I got told so many times I needed a manager. For a long time I resisted, and I finally got one so I can pay my mortgage, and it helped me from becoming a homeless person.

becoming pay long

I got told I needed a producer I don't know how many times - maybe 27 times, 30? Then I recently got told 'I'm so proud of you.' That was even more great to hear.

proud producers needed

For me, the moment the mic is on and it's rolling, it's impossible to vocally relax for some reason. But one day, I'm going to be able to sing the way I sang when I was a little kid, completely open and free. That's, I think, the one thing that's changed: Growing older, I'm not ashamed to hear my voice.

voice kids thinking