The function of music is to release us from the boredom of existence.

The motivation of all artists is 'Look at me, Mum'.

I don't really know what Americans are like. I've no idea. I know a few things about them. In my imagination, they have warm peachy hearts, whereas the English have horrible spiteful withered hearts - success in England inspires envy - in America, it inspires hope.

Everyone says Oscar Wilde was a dandy, but he wasn't, he was an aesthete. He took pleasure in food and stuff like that. Dandyism is much more austere-much more Calvinistic, more neurotic - it oscillates between narcissism and neurosis.

My only criticism about Quentin Crisp is that the subversive must be ready to subvert themselves. I may dress for myself, but I undress for everybody else, whereas he never did that - he was never prepared to drop a bomb on everything he did.

We build our character as a carapace to keep away the fear of the abyss. That's what our character is for.

I don't think I'm known for my gifts - I'm known for my gall. I don't want to be just a famous person - I'm too old.