My mother's father taught English literature. When I was about ten or eleven, I could recite Macaulay's 'Lays of Ancient Rome.' While other kids were playing pedestrian war games, I'd be Horatius keeping the bridge.

My favorite thing is coming up with titles. The majority of the songs I've every written I've always thought of the title before I've written the song.

The worst thing about me is that I'll buy albums and put them away on the shelf and forget that I've got them.

Lincolnshire is the Idaho of England. You were either going to drive a tractor for the rest of your life or head for the city to work in a factory.

Early risers catch the world waking and see its true colors.

I am a simple vessel with complex overtones, opinionated on occasions but willing to listen. Comfortable with reclusiveness and devoted to privacy and family. Patriotic to a fault and allergic to cruelty, ignorance and bad music.

Elton John's home is laden with trinkets and books relating to Satanism and witchcraft.