“Thank you for leaving us alone but giving us enough attention to boost our egos.”

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.

The constant attention is what is so difficult.

Your kids need your love and attention, and being able to devote myself to them is very fulfilling. As I get older, spending time with my daughters makes things much easier. You learn to put your ego aside.

I always do get a little bit paranoid when I get a lot of attention. But I get used to it.

I find something fascinating about the quiet man in the background who has no desire to be the center of attention.

Again, (America is) a stupid country with stupid people who don’t pay attention.

I don’t really pay a lot of attention to trolls.

To get a man’s attention, just stand in front of the TV and don’t move. He’ll talk to you. I promise.

He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid.