Quotes from Billy Idol

It's like, what happened, I was always leading fashion, and then the grunge thing kind of came along. And because I've been so on top in the '80s you know, I, you know, what can I do? Suddenly go grunge?

They wouldn't play my records on American radio because I had spiky hair. They said, 'Punk rock doesn't sell advertising, it won't make any money.'

Part of the punk attitude was that you should project your music through your whole body... show your personality as much as possible.

If your world doesn't allow you to dream, move to one where you can.

Rock isn't art, it's the way ordinary people talk.

I'm not talking with an American accent. I haven't gone off and become Sammy Hagar.

My hair used to be real long, and my parents were encouraged when I cut it. They thought I was going 'straight,' but I was just getting weirder - at least in their eyes. I was getting into the punk thing.

I'm not trying to hide from my past. I want to roll in it. Like a dog, rolling in feces, I'm rolling in the feces of my greatest hits - that's a bit of a wild way of looking at it, but I am a man, and we do like rolling in our own feces at times.

There was a time when my whole life was in chaos, really, and I didn't help myself sort it out. But one day I came to my senses, and I think I was lucky because a lot of people don't.

I don't think punk ever really dies, because punk rock attitude can never die.

Let's sink another drink, cause it will give me time to think.

My dad was one of the reasons I got into rock and roll, because I was learning the ropes of his business, which was selling powertools, and I was looking for a way out from under his heel. I was like, 'Where's the fun? Where's the glamour?'

I love it when someone insults me. That means that I don't have to be nice anymore.

I rocked the cradle of love.

If your world doesn't allow you to dream, move to one where you can.

Rock isn't art, it's the way ordinary people talk.

It doesn't matter about money having it, not having it. Or having clothes, or not having them. You're still left alone with yourself in the end.

I love it when someone insults me. That means that I don't have to be nice anymore.

I love it when someone insults me. That means that I don't have to be nice anymore.

When there's nothing left to lose, and nothing else to prove, I'll be dancing with myself

It doesn't matter about money; having it, not having it. Or having clothes, or not having them. You're still left alone with yourself in the end.

Never be in thrall to anyone but your own wants and desires, because only you can make yourself happy. Fly your own flag, and be true to it. Your soul is the true captain.

You are going to be who you are. Might as well embrace it or forever be at the mercy of the human fears and trepidations of life that can devastate and drag us down.

I) just had to show there's life in the old dog yet. (You) don't have to go out and shoot me.