The songs are definitely more mature lyrically and musically. I'm much more proud of this record than the first. I have a bigger connection with this record, personally. I think it's a good stepping stone for me to do something drastic.

The accident happened within a mile of his house. People think, "I'll just go down the street, I'll be fine". I know this record is going to sell hundreds of thousands and will reach people who've been in this situation or know someone who has been in that situation. It will definitely hit home for far too many people to be ignored.

Incredibly. It's hard to tell the truth. But I had to, that's how it happened. He was an idiot. I repeatedly told him not to do it and he ended up killing himself through his own ignorance. If you listen to the song there's anger there: "I love you but you're an idiot, man." When I first got the idea for the song I was supposed to go on stage. I said, "I need to get this song down before I go on." I got my guitar player to come down. He recorded an MP3 of a melody line and a lyric idea I had, because I know I would have forgotten it. I have bad short-term memory. I'm very spacy. We ended up going on stage half an hour late because of it.

I don't think so. They'll probably be very taken aback by it. It's a powerful song. I think it's something they will respect. I made it a point to not mention any names for that reason, but I think it will hit home for any parent who has been in that situation.

At the other extreme is Daddy's Little Girl, on which you tell a girl who's just turned 18 that it's time to "find out what you've been missing" and "stick the key in the ignition and light it up". What are you saying, Jesse McCartney?

(Laughs) It's tongue-in-cheek. I remember feeling that way when I was 18. I was dating girls who were turning 18. I said, "Make up your own mind . . ." whatever you want to think, that is. The record company wanted that to be the first single.

Sometimes. I don't think anyone's said "this is how you should sound". Indirectly they have made it clear they would like a different sound, but it's not their record, it's my record.

It would be definitely beneficial for other people. I'm 19, man, I won't be staying in a kid's body for very much longer. I gotta do what I gotta do. I think a lot more adulthood will come out first through the acting and the film work I do. I just finished a film, Keith. It's an independent film.

The last time you were in Australia you told HiT you were going to use the method acting technique for Keith and you were worried your girlfriend Katie might think you were being an a--hole.

Yep, I'm on my way to her house right now to have a jacuzzi and wind down. She's doing well, she's got a big film called Black Christmas. She has the lead. She starts her role as Lucy Ewing in Dallas in January.

I've only met David once. I don't . . . he's a great guy but he's not completely in the picture as of now. I don't want to speak out of turn.

Speaking of speaking out of turn, you made headlines claiming Jennifer Lopez was pregnant and that's why she pulled out of Dallas. Did that shock you?

Are you kidding? I woke up befuddled. There were 32 missed phone calls from agents and managers and publicists saying "What did you say about Jennifer Lopez?" I'd read it in tabloids, I fell for the media bulls---, something I should never do. People ate it up. I think they thought I had some first-hand knowledge, but I don't, I don't know her. I was very ignorant and stupid and I apologised sincerely to her. True or false, no one wants that blasted out to the public when it's none of my business to begin with. It's all good in the 'hood, though. It blew over pretty quickly.

Here's how I look at it. Parents may not let their kids go because it's rated PG13. They might let them watch only G or PG movies until they're 14 or 15, which is a lot of my fanbase. For an older kid to see the film will be great. Gathering an older demographic is great. It's not a children's movie but it's not a porno, you know. It's a great piece of work. Don't get me wrong, when I have kids one day I'm not going to let my five-year-old watch The Usual Suspects, but I will certainly have respect for pieces of work that should be seen.

I'm reading some incredible scripts right now, taking meetings with big-shot directors and producers, so when this record is finished I'll be ready to get behind the camera. I'm just waiting for that big role, man.

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