“I was never too keen on the British music press. They’ve called us a supermarket hype, and they used to suggest that we didn’t write our own songs.”

We’re a very expensive group; we break a lot of rules. It’s unheard of to combine opera with a rock theme, my dear.

A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It’s a theatrical event.

When we began, we approached it the way we did because we were not prepared to be out-of-work musicians, ever. We said either take it on as a serious commodity or don’t do it at all.

I have fun with my clothes onstage; it’s not a concert you’re seeing, it’s a fashion show.

I won’t be a rockstar. I will be a legend.

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.

Modern paintings are like women, you’ll never enjoy them if you try to understand them.

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies, Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.

We’re a bit flashy, but the music’s not one big noise.

In terms of love, you’re not in control and I hate that feeling. I seem to write a lot of sad songs because I’m a very tragic person. But there’s always an element of humor at the end.

I dress to kill, but tastefully.

The concept of Queen is to be regal and majestic. Glamour is part of us, and we want to be dandy.

I’m just a musical prostitute, my dear.

It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, I feel good, and no one’s going to stop me now.

Who wants to live forever?

I like to be surrounded by splendid things.

I don’t think gay guys are in touch with how many fabulous divas we have that actually play their own instruments and write their own music, too.

Oh, I think it’s definitely spiritual. All music is. I think it’s maybe one of the highest forms of spirituality.

We’ve matured musically, as well as in the way we think. We’ve also developed a higher sense of responsibility. This has refined us and these developments are really being reflected in our music and our dance.

Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings the whole day through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as you will.

If music be the food of love play on give me excess of it.

We were electric together, you and me; we turned hurting each other into a goddamned symphony.

Music to me is a voice, my voice, it’s my way of expressing what colours can I bring in, what emotions, what feel. What ideas can I bring out from these instruments that would make this song come alive.

You can’t make a record if you ain’t got nothin’ to say.