(On her unusual name) "To be called one thing and christened another is actually very confusing and annoying. It`s one of the most irritating things that my parents did to me. I`m still irritated by it. Florian is a German man`s name. That`s just mean. To give your child a whole lot of odd names. They were all so embarrassing."
"It feels like someone`s rushed in and taken all your clothes off." - on hearing her songs played in public
"I would not have had the opportunity to achieve what I have done without the encouragement of excellent teachers. Every child must have the opportunity to write songs and learn an instrument."
"It is much more satisfying to write your own songs. Otherwise you are only as good as the next batch of songwriters. You have to put in the hours too. I did eight tours of the US, playing as many gigs as possible before I was a hit here. As well as being much more satisfying, writing your own songs gives you a better chance of having a longterm career."
"Playing the recorder and taking music lessons was a great escape and helped open up my mind as a child."
"It can be just playing two chords and making up lyrics about what you did that day or putting forward a point of view. That`s how I started. It`s fun and we ought to get children writing. I don`t make political comments but I do want the Government to put music right at the top of the cirriculum. Having that option was vital for me."
I used to shop in loads of Oxfam-type shops, but everything I bought was horrible. I don`t think I`m very good at bargains.
Does taking an ironing board from a hotel count? I walked straight out with it, and pillows too. I had my reasons.
While my heart is a shield and I won`t let it down, While I`m so afraid to fail so I won`t even try, Well, how can I say I`m alive?
No doubt he will be set free, for Lord Mansfield keeps a Black in his house which governs him and the whole family.
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life.
It`s much better when I go out with my mates and we stop talking about me like I`m some sort of egomaniac. It`s great when we can just have a drink.
We are very proud of you,
I got this letter of the blue one day, ... It said, `We like your album. We`ve used this track. Hope you don`t mind, and hope you like it.`
And then there are comparisons to Dido. I don`t sound anything like her! Dido can`t sing.
They all have such good hand-eye coordination because they play basketball, American football and baseball. Playing goalkeeper comes more naturally to them because they can use these special skills,