Sophie Ellis Bextor Quotes

I'm a little bit allergic to the whole brand thing to be honest but maybe it's just happening around me and I'm not really aware of it.

Having a successful first album is one thing, but a successful third is another.

I get really frustrated if people don't smile.

Philately is normally a boys' hobby but for some reason it was in vogue at my junior school. Between the ages of eight and ten I collected avidly. I'd pore over my Stanley Gibbons book, obsessively checking my collection's value. I always hoped I'd stumble across a really valuable one, a Penny Black or an Inverted Jenny, but it wasn't to be.

The fact that my mother was on television every week while I was young was occasionally awkward, and often frustrating.

I don't think that old-fashioned idea of record companies exists any more.

Yes, being educated is definitely an advantage. But having said that, I've met so many people in life who haven't done very well at school but who are still really bright.

I'd never really thought about it before, but now you ask I can see that how my parents handled money definitely affected my relationship with it.

I'm a sucker for sad disco pop.

There are a lot of people out there who lie about their age and I think it does us all a disservice. It can't all be over when you hit 30. That would be rubbish.

I'm happy that I have a look, but I don't over-analyse whether or not it's beautiful or ugly.

I've been DJing a little bit, so you get used to the fact that music sounds brilliant when it's loud.

I never manage to get to bed early on Sunday night but this doesn't matter, as I don't know one level of exhaustion from another.

I'm really interested in fashion but at the same time I find it quite competitive. Second-hand stuff leaves you more open to whatever your own personal style is rather than feeling dictated to by shops.

I'm always sticking up for other people.

My parents are good role models because they've worked hard and gave me a happy childhood.

A good song is a good song whatever your age.

But I quite like that the public has a very short attention span. If I haven't been on telly for a little bit, I can sense it. People don't take as much notice of you, it's really quite palpable.

I think there's quite a lot of cowardice in music. I don't mind if it goes wrong, I just want to go for it.

I tasted huge success with my first album, and when it's happening it feels like a roller coaster you can't get off. You should be very careful about wishing for success on that scale.

Being a chef would be too much hard work.

You should make an effort on stage because it's a performance. The stage should be glittery and camp, but I don't go down the shops in full stage gear.

I had my autograph down by the age of 13. I used to sign it everywhere.

I really love being in London at weekends - there's always so much to do.

I was an only child, but then my parents resettled with different partners, and I am now one of six.

I'm a sucker for good black skirts and pretty little shirts and kooky tops. I have to admit that shopping satisfies my craving for immediate gratification.

I love getting dressed up. Being a pop star is the most brilliant job for that. A lot of girls love shopping, but they might see the most amazing outfit and think, 'When am I going to wear that?', so it's my duty to exploit the fact I do have events I can wear these things to.

Also, I think women really come into their own in their 30s.

A career in entertainment has a lifespan, like one in sport.

It's hard to feel comfortable in your own skin when you're younger.

Now when I say Sophie Ellis-Bextor I feel that's not really me because that's become this entity from doing the gigs and the shows and the make-up contracts and whatever else.

Some people can get away with being very sexy to men and not looking like a complete cow, but I didn't think I was in a position where people knew me well enough

I would love to record something with PJ Harvey or Alison Goldfrapp.

When it comes to my family I never quite know how protective I have to be, or what I should or shouldn't say.

Come rain or shine I walk short distances rather than taking my car.

You need to have a life outside your career.

That's part of the reason I called the album 'Shoot From The Hip.' I did feel it was time to open up more.

Writing songs about fancying people in dance clubs is all very well but it's not the be-all and end-all. There are other topics.

Two premature babies was not a genetic thing; we were just unlucky.

I'm all for consumer rights. I get very aggravated if I don't get a good service.

The X Factor' is great entertainment, but it doesn't prepare people for getting chewed up and spat out by the music industry.

The NHS is a bit iffy when you sprain an ankle, but when it's a high-priority issue, it's fantastic. They don't mess about. They're incredibly efficient when things go wrong.

Someone had my number and they started text-stalking me. I've never replied to them. It was tempting to write back, but I resisted.

I don't think writing or co-writing my songs makes me a better singer, but I haven't really got an excuse not to do it as I've got too many opinions!

I learned to stand up for myself at school where I was never too popular.

Dance music is great, but it's not a time to be reflective or particularly wistful.

I try not to wear anything I have to fidget with - there's nothing worse than wearing something and pulling down the hem and re-adjusting the top. My pet hate is when girls wear those strapless dresses and spend the whole night yanking them up.

On my wedding day. I didn't want a natural, blushing-bride look - I had a full-on hairdo and red lips. I thought it would be disingenuous to do the whole virginal look, so even though I had the white dress, I had pink net underneath.