My parents were worried about me, certainly when I became so deeply interested in music and people like the New York Dolls who, at the time, were very peculiar indeed.

Once somebody is known, it seems as though anybody anywhere can say anything about them. Whereas if I simply stopped someone in the street and criticised their clothes, their work, their parents, their inner being, I'd be sued and I'd be thrown in prison.

Once somebody is known, it seems as though anybody anywhere can say anything about them. Whereas if I simply stopped someone in the street and criticised their clothes, their work, their parents, their inner being, I'd be sued and I'd be thrown in prison.

The Smiths was an incredibly personal thing to me. It was like launching your own diary to music.

The Smiths was an incredibly personal thing to me. It was like launching your own diary to music.

I think the pop chart today is entirely market-driven. And it has nothing to do with public taste. And it has nothing to do with moving music forward. It's simply a market chart.

I think the pop chart today is entirely market-driven. And it has nothing to do with public taste. And it has nothing to do with moving music forward. It's simply a market chart.

The rhino is now more or less extinct, and it's not because of global warming or shrinking habitats. It's because of Beyonce's handbags.

The rhino is now more or less extinct, and it's not because of global warming or shrinking habitats. It's because of Beyonce's handbags.

The fire in the belly is essential, otherwise you become Michael Buble - famous and meaningless.

The fire in the belly is essential, otherwise you become Michael Buble - famous and meaningless.

I'm cursed with the gift of foresight.

I'm cursed with the gift of foresight.

I've never intended to be controversial, but it's very easy to be controversial in pop music because nobody ever is.

I've never intended to be controversial, but it's very easy to be controversial in pop music because nobody ever is.

My talents do not lie in DIY.

My talents do not lie in DIY.

All of us, ultimately, we're not that interesting, when it comes down to it.

All of us, ultimately, we're not that interesting, when it comes down to it.

Artists aren't really people. I'm actually 40 per cent papier mache.

Artists aren't really people. I'm actually 40 per cent papier mache.

The Royal family to me are not England, and they are not the flag.

The Royal family to me are not England, and they are not the flag.

Reggae is vile.