Quotes from Lily Allen

I was really rubbish at school.

If you ask most people, 'Who's Lily Allen?,' they'll say, 'That girl who's in the papers all the time.' Not that girl who wrote songs.

I think, ever since I started doing well commercially, it's always been like, 'Oh, well, you're only where you are because of your dad, and it must be because of Mark Ronson and Greg Kurstin that you do well.' It's just everyone apart from me is responsible for the songs that I've written selling millions around the world.

I never go out to be photographed, never. I go to events because they're fun.

I like to be able to get up and go and buy a pint of milk without bumping into 20 people I know.

People in this day and age are still under the illusion that every woman who is successful must be being controlled by a man... I'm the boss.

I'm a record collector. I'd spend all my pocket money on vinyl.

I don't see myself as a role model; people should look to mothers and sisters as role models.

Because of piracy there has been a massive downturn in people buying music, which makes it more difficult for artists to make money from the sale of records.

I think the whole, like, cultural diversity and the arty side of London is really, really great. And how it's so historic as well.

All I know is that Conservatives aren't interested in helping anybody but themselves get richer.

My whole childhood, I'd been dreaming of this two-point-four children, living in the country - everything was just going to fall into place, and I'd be this perfect mum. And it didn't happen. I was very shocked and disappointed.

Perez Hilton is an irritating wasp in the beautiful rose garden that is my life.

I grew up in celebrity world, so I know what famous people are like, and I've never looked up to them in that way.

I just felt like I couldn't deal with the everyday responsibilities of life, paying bills and all of that. I'm terrible at all of that. So I knew I had to make enough money to pay someone else to deal with all of that.

I studied voice when I was at school, and I was in the chamber choir, and I studied music theory as well, so I guess a lot of it came from being taught at school.

Everyone thinks Lily Allen is this brash, bold, funny person. It was all just a bit of a facade and bravado.

I don't really see how any song can not feel contrived if it isn't honest, and how could I write honest songs if I don't write about stuff going on in my life and how I'm feeling?

As a woman and as a mother, as a young mother, I felt guilty about being successful.

People recognize me all the time now, and there's lots of autograph hunting and smiling. But then I get to play gigs, which are amazing. It's a good job.

I refuse to put make-up on just because the paparazzi are on my doorstep. I find it morally wrong.

I think I'm like Marmite; you either love me or you hate me.

You have to be in love with yourself before anyone else can fall in love with you; to be happy with yourself.

I think as long as you're not being malicious and you're not hurting people then you should not be ashamed of what you do.