The 1975 lead singer Matt Healy: Best quotes from the frontman

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Jochan Embley9 January 2019

Matty Healy has never been one to keep his thoughts to himself.

The 1975 frontman has forged a reputation for turning his lyrics into free-roaming confessionals, shedding light on his romances, drug addictions, hopes, fears and much more besides.

It’s not just in his music that he comes through with the quotable lines — his Twitter feed and the interviews he gives are usually packed with corkers, too.

Ahead of the band’s two huge shows at the O2 in London on January 18 and 19, we’ve picked out some of his best quotes, from the funny to the downright bemusing.

On himself:

“I know I am pretentious, but I’d be the first person to tell you that.” (The Guardian, November 2016)

On his education:

"School was just a tedious imposition, getting in the way of me being a pop star. I was just looking at the clock, waiting until I could go and do it. " (The Guardian, November 2016).

On his fashion style:

“Sexually confused Edward Scissorhands.” (GQ, August 2016)

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On life:

“It’s hard to be human, but it f****** should be really, if you’re doing it properly.” (Shortlist, November 2018)

On his alleged demise:

“Rumours about me being dead are not true. Rumours about me being a massive legend, all totally true” (Twitter, March 2014)

On the 1975’s historical standing:

“I’d say the band of the 2000s was Arctic Monkeys and I’d say the band of this decade has been my band. But of course I would.” (Beats 1, December 2018)

On tough love from his bandmates:

We’re trying to not to be wankers: the second before I go on stage, when I’m prancing around like I’m a rock star, [they will say] ‘stop being a f****** dick.’ (The Fader, February 2016)

On his critics and musical peers:

“Well, considering what’s going on in pop, I’d be suspicious if somebody was slagging [A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships] off. Give me a better one. Show me the other big band who’s f****** amazing.” (Vulture, November 2018)

On his musical hero Michael Jackson:

“I didn't even want to be friends with him — I just wanted to be acknowledged by him, and I've never felt that way about anyone, ever since. You can talk about God and stuff like that, but he was the only person that I saw as higher than other people.” (Elle, August 2014)

On accusations that Thom Yorke et al copied his band:

Radiohead didn't copy The 1975, they're f****** Radiohead. They could steal my actual legs and I'd not be bothered anyways.” (Twitter, May 2016)

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On unorthodox electoral campaigning:

"I don't know how to use my 'platform' in order to incentivise democracy. But vote Labour and I'll send nudes if that works" (Twitter, June 2017)

On why a presidential reputation stopped a budding romance with Taylor Swift:

"We fancied each other, but then we couldn’t have it go any further, because it would be like going out with Barack Obama." (The Guardian, November 2016)

On seeing, er, a sign reading “Let’s Get Anal”:

“I will not do anal with somebody who has such a slender grasp on grammar.”

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