I don't want to go on much longer, really. I think that would suggest a lack of imagination. A certain lack of dignity also.

I once bought a Manchester United hat, which I think was 12 shillings, and somebody ran up behind me and pulled it off and just ran ahead. I thought, 'It's a very cruel world, I'm not prepared for this'. And I decided to get my revenge on society.

The Smiths was an incredibly personal thing to me. It was like launching your own diary to music.

I've always done quite well as far as the charts are concerned. And yet I always felt I conveyed the spirit of the music I love, which didn't have any chart success.

Because you wear a uniform, a smelly uniform...and so you think you can be rude to me.

Life is a very serious business for the simple reason that nobody dies laughing.

I think perhaps I touch on a different passion in people. It’s not simple the passion of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion - it’s more romantic than sexual.