Pink – Interview [2006]

Proving she’s got much more than just a pulse, Pink rails against politicians and a culture that breeds bulimia and rampant materialism on her fourth record, I’m Not Dead. The Indigo Girls sing along on “Dear Mr. President,” while the singer’s father appears on the hidden track “I Have Seen the Rain.” Get totally Pink’d with the DualDisc, which has a promo clip and making-of segments for her single “Stupid Girls,” plus interview footage and a teaser for her forthcoming “Live in Europe” DVD.

We interview Pink!

You have a future in music without boundaries. What do you feel about that statement, and if you think that there are boundaries, what are they and how do you deal with them?

Well, I like that statement. I think it’s true because I fought for that and I’m like a big mystery bag…and all my albums are sort of really eclectic so I don’t see any boundaries because I don’t put them on myself.

What were your musical expectations and goals that you set up for the album?

I had none. I never have a plan really. It’s just – depends on who I connect with and who I’m collaborating with and I just knew I wanted to be very honest and open and, you know, it’s a lot – has a lot to do with awareness and looking at the world around me, I think.

What do you think of the statement, “success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.” And do you agree or disagree and at this point, what is your idea of success?

I think it is about the journey because if you – you know, you chase the carrot, everyone has their own idea of this carrot and we chase and we chase it and then we finally get there and it doesn’t taste like we thought it was going to taste, but if you have fun along the way, which I absolutely have – you know, I’ve had my pain and suffering too, but that’s all good. It – you know, I think it’s absolutely about being in the moment. And my idea of success is being able to be proud of what I do and to get better every day and to just give my all, and be my best and that’s – you know, I can say that I’m doing that. So I feel very successful in that way.

What would you say is the hardest lesson that you’ve learned so far in the entertainment industry and showbiz?

That you have to be happy with what you do for yourself because, you know, the respect of others is very fleeting. Yes, I mean, just that, you know – and also, I mean, LA Reid told me many, many years ago when I first started out that I can’t allow people to rob me of my happiness and there will always be someone that wants to bring you down, but you just can’t let them.

For this record in particular, what would you say was the biggest challenge that you maybe didn’t foresee and you had to work around?

Really, it was the easiest, most natural sort of process I had. I took my time and I hooked up with incredible people and I wrote and recorded over 40 songs and just let it all out. I didn’t really have – the only challenge comes when it comes time to pick the single and then you have to battle with your record company for your own vision. But I usually win.

I was curious, you were talking earlier about making eclectic albums. And I was wondering if it was simply by picking the best songs or by design.

I guess it’s both. I mean, I’ve lived every kind of music that I’ve created. It’s all very natural for me. So, I don’t know. It just kind of happens. I hear a hip-hop beat and an acoustic guitar and to me, it just sounds like beautiful music and it inspires me in different ways and then it – yes, I’m happy being schizophrenic and a big mystery bag. I just – I don’t – I don’t know anybody that listens to one kind of music, really.

I was wondering about picking the producers, how you go about deciding who you’re going to work with.

Well, usually people that I like or people that – a mutual friend of a friend or – I had an incredible manager named Craig who was – he’s a base player and he’s very musical and him and I – he knows a lot of people. So he just wants me to meet people whereas I’d rather be a hermit and stay in the house. But it works out because everywhere from RZA to Billy Mann. I mean, it’s all, every spectrum of the rainbow. So, I don’t know. The universe protects me that way.

I was going to ask you about one particular song, “The One that Got Away.” I was wondering about, when you go into a song and sing a song, does the song just tell you how to sing it?

Pink: Pretty much, yes, absolutely. It’s a feel, it’s the instruments and, you know, what the idea of it is – yes, absolutely. If you hear an acoustic guitar, I’m going to sing a certain way.

Is it true that you wanted to sing “Stupid Girls” to Lindsay Lohan at the Kids Choice Awards?

Pink: No. Absolutely not.

How do you feel about being in the gossip magazines along with Lindsay and the rest of young Hollywood?

It’s inevitable. So, I mean, I don’t choose it, but at the same time, I don’t really mind, I don’t really care. Because I think the good thing about that is people see you and then they see what your messages are and what you believe in and then maybe they’ll go to your Web site and see your “Save the World” page or – it’s just an avenue, I guess.

This album seems to be all about speaking your mind and being confident. So I was wondering what advice you would give to young adults today to be confident and speak their mind.

To be curious and to ask a lot of questions and really be solid and I think knowledge is power. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. The more you know, you know, the more straight you can stand up for what you believe in. And I was raised that way and I just think it’s important to just dig in and get your information straight.

Can you tell us about the movie that you will be appearing in and when it might be released?

It is called “Catacombs” and it’s really scary. And I don’t know when it’ll be released. I think sometime before next year.

There has been a lot of talk about you starring in the Janice Joplin bio pick. Is this a project that you would like to take on for one of your first major acting roles?

I’ve actually dropped out of that because of scheduling conflicts. So, it was a role I got two years ago. It’s a movie they’ve been trying to make for 15 years, and I think if Janice Joplin wants that movie made, it’ll get made.

The name Linda Perry often comes up when your music is discussed. Can you describe the songwriting process when you and Linda get together?

Yes, that was – you know, we worked together on “Misunderstood” and the last album, but we – she – we didn’t work together on this album. You know, it was a place and time and it was amazing. And we were able to be completely defenseless and just open up and just tell how we feel. So it was good, at the time.

Do you have any regrets about making the “Stupid Girls” video? I ask this because it seems like you’ve been placed as being against young Hollywood clichés. So do you feel your message may have been misconstrued in any way?

No, not really. I think the message got through loud and clear, especially from the feedback I’ve gotten. It’s a debate, and I thought it was a discussion that needed to be had and I’m absolutely proud of it and I have absolutely no regrets.

Being that you have just released your fourth album, which is very successful and taking off real well, what are the highs and lows that you have experienced being a huge musical success?

Well, the highs are being able to create music and, you know, people writing me letters and telling me about their life and how my music has affected them. I think that’s huge. I don’t really see any lows. I mean, there’s highs and lows to everything. I mean, I miss my dogs and touring is hard sometimes, but I’m digging it. I’m where I’m supposed to be.

What song would be your personal favorite to perform and why?

Favorite to perform? Right now, “Dear Mr. President” because it’s so laid back and the lyrics are so important and there’s beautiful harmonies. But I don’t know, “Leave me Alone, I’m Lonely” is kind of fun too because that’s a dancer. I don’t know, I just like performing.

How different has your life been since getting married?

Not different at all. I’ve seen him four times.

Oh, yes?

Yes, we’re both on tour, so nothing really has changed.

I can tell that you really believe in empowering women, and I just wondered if you think women should change for the men in their lives at all.

I mean, it depends. If you have a respectful relationship, I think every relationship requires compromise… Absolutely. But I don’t – I think a woman should change for herself first.

How do you feel with – you and your music have really changed since the early pink hair days. Because it has, I know.

Yes. I like that I never repeat myself and I have a really big problem with stagnation and …I’m very, very happy. I think it’s perfect. It’s – you know, I’ve made some mistakes and – but from my path and for what I want out of life, it’s perfect.

When a little girl, you know, grabs the football at the end of the video for “Stupid Girls,” does that mean that you think girls should be tomboys or just not be sex objects?

I think, (A) – number one, there should be a choice and I think that it’s really – you know, I was a tomboy, so that’s sort of where that came from, but …I don’t think girls should be tomboys. I think girls should make their own choices.

I’m going to veer off from the music here a little bit and ask you about your song “Stupid Girls.” You make a comment in there, “where have all the smart people gone?” And considering that our society seems to worship false reality, prefabricated news and illiteracy, I’m curious who you think, or if there’s anyone you would like to highlight as positive role models for young women.

I think what Angelina Jolie is doing with her power is amazing. I think Natalie Portman is amazing. I think Reese Witherspoon. Just – I mean, as an overall sentiment, it just seems like the passion and the fight – the fight for girls in general is just gone – at least what’s in the tabloids.

Can you explain the difficulties of being (A), a woman in the corporate music landscape and then (B), an intelligent woman who makes thought-provoking music in that same landscape?

Yes. Well, I think if you’re considered a pop star, you’re not supposed to contribute. You’re supposed to just shut up and sing. So that becomes interesting. And then, you know, it’s the age-old thing of – if a girl walks in – if a woman or girl walks into a room and she’s assertive or opinionated, she’s a bitch. If a guy walks in, then he’s just assertive and opinionated. So you really have to command respect and, unfortunately, sometimes you have to explain yourself a little more than a man would.

So, in regards to the song, “Dear Mr. President,” I have to ask: do you, for a moment, genuinely belief that our Chief Executive Officer gives a moment of consideration to the homeless people that you highlight in the song. And for that matter, do you believe that he has any real respect for human life at this point.

You know, I don’t know. I can only keep hope alive. I don’t envy his position, but I also do not agree with anyone who has a lack of tolerance for diversity and human life, you know – a very good question.

+ Charlie Craine