George Michael

I don't really think that there is anyone in the modern pop business who I feel I want to spar with.

Not many people are really that meticulous with what they do, I suppose, but I'm just a control freak and terribly afraid of failure or regret. I work very hard on these things.

I have to believe that somebody up there thinks I've still got some work to do.

The fact I had my father as an adversary was such a powerful tool to work with. I subconsciously fought him to the degree that I drove me to be one of the most successful musician in the world.

I've achieved what every artist wants, which is that some of their work will outlive them.

I've written a whole body of work that I'm incredibly proud of.

The media has affected everybody's consciousness much more than most people will admit.

I think the media is a real demon.

I was brought up when media still kept totally away from violence when it came to children. I don't think it would have made me scared of violence, but I find it repulsive.

The '90s were a bit of a disaster for me in so many ways. On a personal level, I don't think I could have toured. Also, I had some physical problems with my back that are now sorted and I just wasn't in the right state of mind.