As a very small child I found recorded noise and the solitary singer beneath the spotlight so dramatic and so brave... walking the plank... willingly... It was sink or swim. The very notion of standing there, alone, I found beautiful.

The solo years have been more meaningful to the audiences than the Smiths years, but the press in England only write about me in relation to the Smiths era.

The solo years have been more meaningful to the audiences than the Smiths years, but the press in England only write about me in relation to the Smiths era.

British politics, as the world knows, is a joke. Yet it's rarely funny.

British politics, as the world knows, is a joke. Yet it's rarely funny.

I normally live in Los Angeles, if you can call it normally living.

I normally live in Los Angeles, if you can call it normally living.

You may not realize this, but people have the power to change the world.

You may not realize this, but people have the power to change the world.

Age gives you a great sense of proportion. You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think 'well everybody's absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well'.

Age gives you a great sense of proportion. You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think 'well everybody's absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well'.

Pop music has progressed.

Pop music has progressed.

It could be construed that the reason I wouldn't wish to live in England is the immigration explosion. And that's not true at all.

It could be construed that the reason I wouldn't wish to live in England is the immigration explosion. And that's not true at all.

It's so tedious that everyone must be defined.

It's so tedious that everyone must be defined.

I still prefer horses to human beings.

I still prefer horses to human beings.

I don't want to go on much longer, really. I think that would suggest a lack of imagination. A certain lack of dignity also.

I don't want to go on much longer, really. I think that would suggest a lack of imagination. A certain lack of dignity also.

I always seem to be singing against the grain.

I always seem to be singing against the grain.

It's always nice to receive a compliment.