Groupies are the heart, soul and necessity of our business. I love them. These are people who go beyond the norm to let you know they appreciate what you do. How many sensible people would be up at 3am standing outside a hotel window shouting adoration? I wouldn't. I'd be getting some sleep.
Michael Jackson was the silliest guy I ever met. He liked to trigger attacks of laughter at inappropriate times. I remember watching a dignitary giving a speech, and he looked over and started giggling… that just set me off. That to me was who he really was. What we saw later was a product of the failure of the rest of his life. The guy I knew was just funny and silly.
I'm adored in the Arab world these days. The Sunnis and the Shi'ites can't agree on anything, but they're all getting married and partying to my songs. When the war in Iraq broke out, shopkeepers in Baghdad wanted to let the Americans know they were welcoming them in, so they played "All Night Long" and the Iraqi battle song was "Dancing on the Ceiling". Go figure.
I write about love. It's non-political, simple and universal. "I love you" are the corniest three words you'll ever use, but the whole world is looking for it and you can't wait for someone to say it to you.
This business is lethal. It gives you everything you want and everything you don't want. Fame, money and power do not change you – they only magnify you. If you have a problem – an addiction, a neurosis, any flaws – then that will be brought to the surface for all to see.
I hate fishing. I grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, and one of my earliest memories is going fishing with my father when I was five, catching a fish and struggling to get the hook out of its mouth.
God is wherever I am. I was born and raised a Christian, but I've learned from my travels that God has many names. When you see yourself as a citizen of the world then you respect where you are. Buddha, Allah and Jesus all lead to the same thing – a higher consciousness.
Whitney Houston's death is a tragedy. But these days we watch tragedy happen and think it's entertainment. Privacy no longer exists. Twitter, the paparazzi and phone cameras have seen to that. They give you everything you need to kill yourself.
Worst-case scenarios play on loop in my head. I worry about everything. I like to plan things and overthink a lot because I don't like surprises.
The political situation in the US is a disaster. Obama has moved as fast as possible in the time he's had. People are waiting for solutions from our governing body – and they're being failed. The country just needs leadership; someone to say that it's about the people, not about political parties.
I was the greatest shower singer that ever lived. I was a very shy child. I could never have imagined that one day I'd be singing on stage in front of people. But somehow it's what I've ended up doing – and here I am.
Lionel Richie's latest album, Tuskegee, is out now on Mercury Records