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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.
Videos by American Songwriter
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.
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English rock and pop group The Hollies perform the song 'Sorry Suzanne' on the set of the BBC Television pop music television show Top Of The Pops at Lime Grove Studios in London on 27th March 1969. Members of the band are, from left, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Allan Clarke, Terry Sylvester and Bernie Calvert. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns) -
Paul Revere & The Raiders Perform American pop group Paul Revere & the Raiders perform in matching outfits, probably on a television studio set, mid 1960s. The band includes Mark Lindsay (third left) as the vocalist and Paul Revere (right) on keyboards. (Photo by Authenticated News/Getty Images) -
Portrait of American country music singer and songwriter Tim Malchak at Farm Aid in Ames, Iowa, April 24, 1993. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
