Careers don't seem to be built up in the same way as they were in the 80s.

I didn't spend much time in America, which probably was a mistake. To someone else, having a number one in America would be enough to get them touring.

I'd got married and wanted to have kids, so had kids, brought them up, did other things, and slowly got back into music. And it feels great, having one foot in the present, writing and covering interesting songs, and having one foot in the past.

You're full of insecurities in your 20s - most of the time your heart's being broken, you're having a difficult time finding out who the hell you are, and I was trying to do that in the full glare of the public.

My tears of love are a waste of time if I turn away

I don't mind being laughed at: that's something I really don't mind, and I think that's kept me sane. My ability to laugh at myself and allow others to laugh at me has been my saving grace.

When I was 15, I was naive, looked like a grey mouse and felt second choice.