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Damon Gough Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; records as Badly Drawn Boy
I’d make the best double album ever. People hate double albums and always say, ‘this should have just been one’, like ‘Sandinista!’ by The Clash. I’d like to try and achieve a double album that everyone says, ‘actually, I could do with it being three’. I’d have to get up early.
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 22 October 2010 source ↗
Black Francis Singer, songwriter and guitarist; lead vocalist of Pixies
Primping mostly. It’s Sophia Loren! So I would clean up a bit and the first thing I would check are my toenails. I would have a full shave and make sure I had moisturised everywhere. Of course I’d make sure I smell nice too, but not overly perfumed. I think after cleaning and steaming and bathing and primping, I would like to do a bit of exercise – or maybe the steam bath would be enough – to bring out my natural body odour, that fresh, manly scent.
Recorded Clash, Last Day On Earth, 16 April 2010 source ↗
Jamie Hince Guitarist, singer and songwriter; co-founder of The Kills
I’d have all my friends there, of course, with a whole load of guitars and drums and just making as much noise and causing as much trouble as we can. Lots of people sitting around, playing guitar, bottles of wine; lots of fun to be had.
Recorded Clash, Last Day On Earth, 28 October 2011 source ↗
Amy Hempel Short-story writer; teacher at the Michener Center for Writers
I think that dying might bring about a profound loneliness. I don’t feel lonely in life, but I do think this would be a very hard discovery at the end. Assuming there might be a time of consciousness, I think that serious medication might be a help. Not to put me out, but to smooth things over. The last time I had surgery, the anesthesiologist visited me in Recovery and gave me a sheet of paper on which was listed all of the drugs he had administered. I was glad to get it after the surgery, since I went down the list thinking, That’s what killed Michael Jackson, that’s what killed Prince. I don’t take recreational drugs, never did, but I would like to have the option of taking the edge off of fear. People I love at my bedside—I don’t see that being a comfort, but a reminder of who I’ll be losing. Music might be welcome. I could imagine wanting to hear Jorma Kaukonen sing “Genesis.”
Recorded Anna DeForest, A Good Exit, a five-part column, The Believer, 2 June 2026 source ↗

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