“I am inspired by show girls and Vegas. I was a cabaret performer, so that’s where all that influence comes from.”

My favourite authors are Milan Kundera and Jeanette Winterson.

Dressing up is like therapy; I feel better in myself when I’ve made an effort.

I don’t have a daily routine, beyond brushing my teeth. It changes every day.

I just have an inability to lie.

We all get old, but I always say the skinny, pretty girls will be screwed.

I think initially, the record industry struggled a lot with digital media because there are a lot of aspects to it that can potentially destroy our industry.

Whatever you are, you have the right to get married.

Some men think that if you’re empowered and sure of yourself then you’re a man-hater, but it’s like, ‘No, I’m just the same as you are, but maybe just a tiny bit more confident.’

All the things that I find beautiful have a darkness about them.

You feel a sense of elation seeing yourself on a billboard.

I’m not that materialistic. I like nice clothes and that, but I don’t spend lots of money on stuff. I’m not really into TV, I don’t have an iPod, I’ve got a gramophone.

I like someone with a really good and dark sense of humour.

I think everybody should focus on inner beauty.

I wasn’t really comfortable reading until I was 12.

When I do my shows, it’s really cross-generational. Sometimes there’s three generations there.

I just really want to make albums – and however I can, I will.

A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence.

We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why. Not until the future eats the present, anyway. We know when it’s too late.

As I review the events of my past life I realize how subtle are the influences that shape our destinies.

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.

There are only two ways to influence human behaviour: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it.

Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences.

Nothing influences people more than is commendation from a trusted friend.

If you are influenced by the opinions of others, you will have no desire of your own.