Susan Ann Sulley Quotes

I think a lot of people go in TV talent shows because they want to be famous and not because it's about the music.

I think the thing about music is, it's about communication. If you communicate to anyone, whether someone unknown who's a fan or Lady Gaga, I think that always gives you a nice feeling. It's always nice when people say nice things about you. But we tend to think about people as equals.

The whole music industry has completely and totally changed from how it was. It's very, very different. When we started, there were loads of record company people throwing money at musicians, and that did give people a long term career.

Mark Jones is mad as a hatter. But, he's great. He's really, really into music. I know he's married and he's got two wonderful children, but his life is music. And he's very clever with it.

The likes of Bob Dylan and David Bowie and probably Elvis Presley or any of the Beatles, none of them would have got through Pop Idol, because they're not conventional. They're not what people think is popular now. I like the individuality in people. I don't want everyone to sound the same.

I understand why people do reality TV talent shows, I just don't think it's good for music. It's karaoke. What three people on a panel perceive as being great vocally, I think, isn't necessarily right.

What better job is there for a 17-year-old girl than being in a pop group?

To be very fair, it was Ian Marsh and Martyn Ware who started The Human League. They brought Philip Oakey in to sing, primarily because Philip was very tall. So it started out as their vision. I don't think anyone ever thought it would be as big as it became. Music evolves and people were looking for something different. We came out at the right time and were just very lucky.

There are other people coming out now, like Adele, people who are making their own music, doing their own stuff. That's a good thing. I think that music's okay. I don't think we need to worry about it.

I think for a lot of new bands, although they have a lot of opportunity, this music business is not giving them a long-term career. I think there's some terrible stuff that comes out and we are bombarded by likes of The X Factor, Pop Idol and all those programs that I don't really like and I don't approve of.

I think that's one of the great things about the travel. One day I am at home in Sheffield, the next day I'm playing the Hollywood Bowl. It's extraordinary.

The good thing is that The Human League never really wanted to be in a pop group. We never wanted to be famous. We just liked the music. And I think that's kept us grounded. We're not interested in the celebrity side of anything. We just like getting on stage and doing what we're good at.

Philip Oakey went to Target this morning to have a wander 'round and a guy ran up to him and said, "I went to see you last night and you were fabulous!" It made Philip's day! Whoever says it to us, we're always happy.