I don't have joy in watching myself, whereas, actually, I quite like listening to my own music.

I really have no plans for any kind of career in TV or anything, but if I wanted to become good at it, I could. But I don't really think it's in the cards.

I'm not a novelty act from the '80s in most parts of the world.

I have got other interests than just making music. I would like to follow those interests through.

I watch people who are not driven by creativity any more, and I think how dull it must be to produce the same kind of thing. If you don't feel you're reaching something new, then don't do it.

I mean, I've done different things at different times that I shouldn't have done, once or twice, you know.

You can't imagine what it's like playing to people who have been loyal to you for 25 years and haven't seen you for 15.

I've been very well remunerated for my talents over the years so I really don't need the public's money.

I've written a whole body of work that I'm incredibly proud of.

I don't really think that there is anyone in the modern pop business who I feel I want to spar with.

I'm the luckiest writer on earth.

If I can just live further from the spotlight I think that'll be better for all really.

It's absolutely essential that we have the same safeguards that straight couples do. But I want more than a 50 percent chance of success. I don't want to emulate that.

I left school at 17 and was a star by the time I was 18 - in certain parts of the world anyway.

I spent years growing up being told what my sexuality was.

I think for most of us, our biggest frailties are sexual.

I want to make a pop album - something more upbeat than my stuff was in the '90s.

I would advise any gay person that being out in the real sense can never happen too soon.

Of course, I want to sell this record - there's no point making it otherwise.

With pop stars or film stars, we become the object of people's self-definition, as well as the object of sexual definition.

Your political system is actually too democratic. The fact that Americans vote on every bill and proposition can prolong bigotry indefinitely, especially where it is aimed at minority groups.

I never minded being thought of as a pop star. People have always thought I wanted to be seen as a serious musician, but I didn't, I just wanted people to know that I was absolutely serious about pop music.

The media has affected everybody's consciousness much more than most people will admit.

I've always been the porky boy in my head.