Having children made me go down a road of serious introspection and self-examination. I think it's informed and hopefully enhanced my creativity.

I was a buffoon and an idiot until the age of forty

Ultimately it boils down to the same thing all relationships boil down to: eating humble pie. I sometimes eat quite a lot. But, however bitter it might taste, it's the best pie. It's on the menu constantly for both parties.

Don't go for second best. Put your love to the test.

I've gone from having a huge fan base to losing a huge fan base to having a kind of fluctuating fan base. I've always had a core of fans who've stuck by me but, depending on the kind of music I do, I end up appealing to certain groups of people and alienating others.

I hate being called a pop star. I hate that.

We've made so many advances in other areas - civil rights, gay rights - but ageism is still an area that's taboo and not talked about and dealt with.