“My mother has always been unhappy with what I do. She would rather I do something nicer, like be a bricklayer.”

I don’t really mind criticism in music or in shows and stuff like that at all. I mean, it doesn’t really worry me even if it’s like out of place. At least it’s relevant.

I don’t want to be a rock star all my life. I couldn’t bear to end up like Elvis Presley in Las Vegas with all those housewives and old ladies coming in with their handbags.

I think it’s very important that you have at least some sort of inner thing you don’t talk about. That’s why I find it distasteful when all these pop stars talk about their habits.

You never really know what’s going to happen. You never know what the audience is going to be like or how they’re going to behave.

I don’t like being completely isolated. I need the energy from other people.

In England you’re skewered on the altar of pop culture if you become pretentious.

Anarchy is the only slight glimmer of hope.

I think people are afraid to express their opinions half the time.

People are so brainwashed by the rules that they don’t know what really matters.

Of course we’re doing it for the money. We’ve always done it for the money.

Music should elevate you. You can be raised, or left stranded. You can’t be raised all the time, in my experience. This might be a rare moment. You might just go up to that level but that’s always good.

Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind.

I remember when I was very young, I read an article by Fats Domino which has really influenced me. He said, ‘You should never sing the lyrics out very clearly.

He stole my music but he gave me my name.

If you’re really on some heavily addictive drug, you think about the drug, and everything else is secondary. You try and make everything work, but the drug comes first.

Always as a musician you must have one thing you do well.

However life, unlike art, has an irritating way of bumping and limping on, undoing conversions, casting doubt on solutions, and generally illustrating the impossibility of living happily or virtuously ever after.

I’ve been so unhappy for years, so unhappy, I don’t understand how a human being can be so unhappy all the time and still be alive.

Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?

All right – I’ll tell you what you did for me: you went for happy, silly, beautiful walks with me.

Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy.

One of the secrets of a happy life is continous small treats.

Just think how many thoughts a blanket smothers while one lies alone in bed, and how many unhappy dreams it keeps warm.

I love the fact that I can make people happy, in any form. Even if it’s just an hour of their lives, if I can make them feel lucky or make them feel good, or bring a smile to a sour face, that to me is worthwhile.