Song Diving With Rufus Wainwright

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We dive in with Rufus Wainwright to talk about the songs he’s written, including “Dinner at Eight,” “Going to a Town,” “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” and “I Don’t Know What It Is.” We also explore the music and experiences that shaped his creative voice, from a life-changing Nina Simone album to discovering opera through Verdi’s Requiem.

Rufus shares the story of a rainy afternoon with a Nina Simone record that changed the way he thought about music. We also talk about songwriting, revision, Judy Garland’s influence on his craft, and how “Dinner at Eight” revealed its deeper meaning years after it was written.

It’s a candid, insightful, and revealing conversation with a truly singular artist whose work spans pop, opera, folk, and the great American songbook.