Literally' - I'm not having it; people can't go around saying 'literally.' Otherwise, what's literal? There's not another word for literally: if it isn't figurative or metaphorical, what is it? It's literal: there's no substitute.
I ain't got a credit card, a mobile phone or a computer. Call me sentimental. I think that's a whole world of trouble I ain't got no business setting foot in. And you know what? It feels good.
The very pointlessness of a sea walk is it's attractiveness to me.
Find a poet whose style you like, emulate that style, then deal with things that you know about - don't waste your time looking for your own style.' I wish I could remember who told me that, because I'd like to congraulate him. I've emulated all the old guys - Tennyson, Alexander Pope.
The greatest threat to any artist is surrounding themselves with people who love everything they do.
I'm not fond of crowds. I'm no jittery neurotic, but I don't really want to be surrounded by a lot of people if I have a choice.
I've got a speech impediment.
I'm not giving away sartorial secrets but the trousers I wear cost 19 quid.
There is a certain sentimental vibe in my home town of Manchester, which you would sort of expect.
I enjoy gigging in industrial towns. It seems to be where I go down the best. Somewhere where they have a history of manufacturing, they're my favourite places to play.
Maybe there are luckier people than me, but I don't know who that would be. I feel pretty lucky. I've had a nice life - I don't know how I could be luckier.
When I sit down to eat, the greatest spice of all is hunger.
From social pariah to King of the World? It's taken 45 years, so I've been able to adjust to it!
I eat like a pig. Tripe is the only thing I won't eat.
The '80s were a lost decade.
Fame just ain't a natural situation. But I shouldn't have worried because everyone thought I was a bit famous even before I'd done anything; people just assumed I was famous.
I love the Arctic Monkeys!
I was too old to be a punk rocker. I was a mod, that's really the only youth tribe I ever belonged to - and even then, not for very long.
I'd like to be rich, but without all the downside of fame.
I went to what can only be described as a slum school in Salford - rough and full of trainee punks - but I was very lucky in that I had one inspiring teacher, John Malone, who gave the whole class an interest in romantic poetry.
