"The crucial question one comes back to is the examination without that experience is meaningless. And I think it's true that society is becoming more and more passive, less and less fired up with enthusiasm, in many spheres."

"I continue to believe, contrary to the given wisdom, that it's more interesting to have an album - or, indeed, an individual song - which has variety rather than homogeneity."

"I think, in the future, people are going to look back and say, 'I can't believe that gay and lesbian people had to fight to be able to get married.'"

"If we want to deliver opportunity for all, we need an economy that delivers jobs for the future."

"I don't want to be one of those guys where I go there and wait a long time before I become a starter."

"Young poets bewail the passing of love old poets, the passing of time. There is surprisingly little difference."