Money's Too Tight to Mention' was about as big an anti-Thatcherite message as you can get in pop music. There was a vast swath of the British media at that time that were rabid Thatcherites; do you think they are going to take kindly to me? Then I got hit by the left, because we were too popular.

We were disliked by the press in the early days because they couldn't put their finger on us, and that was the case with Zeppelin as well.

I can't deal with the press; I hate all those Beatles questions.

It is fair to write about the change in your magazines. But what I want to see is the change on your covers ... When the covers change, that's when culture changes.

I just want to write songs in my little corner. And I still love music, I've not been worn down by cynicism.

Most of the press were vultures descending on the scene for curious America aplomb. Cameras inside the coffin interviewing worms.