I began this by stating that lyrics aren’t really important in pop music but, of course, over the years I have found many exceptions to this rule. Chart pop (what a quaint term) might not provide much linguistic sustenance but once you get off the beaten path it’s there to be found. I’ve already mentioned Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground but Scott Walker, Leonard Cohen, Lee Hazelwood, Jim Morrison, Dory Previn, David Bowie, Mark E Smith, Nick Cave, Jeffrey Lewis, Will Oldham and Bill Callahan are just some of the other writers I have admired for their ability to tackle thought-provoking subject matter in song. I thank them for their inspiration.

With Bill there’s a satisfaction and a desire to be solitary at this moment, which is something that, you know, is not ideal - for me it opposes being alive and it’s a totally rebel-ish idea. I like using music to do things to be with people, to interact. On every level.