Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his latest album, Seventy, is no exception. In a recent interview, the 70-year-old musician shared his candid thoughts on music, ageing, and some of the most beloved songs in history.
Kelly described John Lennon's 'Imagine' as 'probably one of the worst songs ever written', adding that he 'can’t stand it'. He also expressed a strong aversion to the Eagles' 'Hotel California', stating he could 'very happily go through the rest of my life without hearing it again'. However, he surprised fans by praising Foreigner's 'I Want to Know What Love Is' as 'the most beautiful song'.
Reflecting on his milestone birthday, Kelly said: 'Turning 70 feels like a real marker. I wouldn’t say it’s an achievement, but I must have had my fair share of luck to reach 70. I was pretty reckless and I took risks – so I feel lucky to reach 70. Everything else after this is just extra.'
The singer also discussed his experiences touring with Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. He noted that Dylan was 'so casual, off the cuff', while Cohen was 'totally scripted' but made each performance feel 'like prayer or ritual'. Kelly described Cohen as 'a vaudevillian rabbi' who 'served the audience'.
When asked about a disastrous gig, Kelly recalled an incident in Amsterdam where a fan asked to propose on stage. 'I said to him, “Are you sure she’s going to say yes?”' Kelly said. The fan eventually called his girlfriend up, but the outcome was left ambiguous.
