There's the paradox of making pop music when you're in your 50s. People weren't meant to be doing that originally and yet they are. Mick Jagger [used to say] we're not going to be doing Satisfaction when I'm in a wheelchair.

We've been working on a new album, which is going to come out next spring, which is very different, a change of style for us - it's going to be almost like rock music.

I think there's an element where people get very comfortable in their ghetto. Which is fair enough.

At one time musical theater, particularly in the '40s and '50s, was a big source of pop songs. That's how musical theater started, really - it was just a way of linking several pop songs for the stage.

I didn't want to wear a checked shirt and grow a mustache - that's what you had to do, and everyone did.

I think we've come a long way since then. The big thing that changed was when ecstasy came along in Britain.

It's fundamental that what we do only exists in our own universe. When you like Pet Shop Boys, you are in our world.