Quotes from John Cooper Clarke

I've always lived all over the place, and left Manchester the minute I was old enough to steal a car.

Well, I've obviously been a great source of inspiration to the academic population of Salford! They're citing me as a major contribution to their upward trajectory!

I don't have secrets, my life's an open book.

It took me 30 years for people to consider me an overnight success.

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.

From social pariah to King of the World? It's taken 45 years, so I've been able to adjust to it!

It amazes me there are movies about writers... such inert, uneventful lives.

No one wants to be a source of anxiety to everybody they know.

There is a certain sentimental vibe in my home town of Manchester, which you would sort of expect.

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've never met a happy atheist.

I don't work with anybody I don't like, just for the attention.

I'd like to be rich, but without all the downside of fame.

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.