It's a torturous time when you learn almost everything you really have to know about survival. The important thing to remember when you are living through it, however, is that you have absolutely no idea quite how smart and strong and beautiful the pain will make you. So go forth and suffer...you'll rule the world.

You don't really hear a female perspective on the radio, because so many of the songs are being written by men.

Here am I. I'm 38. My career's probably never been better. And I've made a decision which may or may not impact on it - I refuse to hide my experience and my age, as if it's something I should be ashamed of. I'm alive. I know lots of people who've never been lucky enough to get to this stage in their life. And I'm not gonna hide it for anybody.

I like the feeling that I'm giving young women self-confidence. It sounds so cliched, but it can be very moving.

When somebody asks me a question, I try to be as straightforward about it as possible. I try not to overthink what I'm going to say in an interview.

I wanted to put out a solo record because I was stuck on a major label and sick of it.

We should never listen to our feelings. They lead us astray.