Alex Turner's greatest quotes

6 January 2024, 08:00

Alex Turner on stage in Spain, September 2022
Alex Turner on stage in Spain, September 2022. Picture: Pablo Gallardo/Redferns/Getty Images

The wit and Yorkshire wisdom of the Arctic Monkeys frontman. He has a quote for every occasion.

Radio X

By Radio X

Listen to this article

Loading audio...
  1. "I think we're still listening to the same voice inside, that instinct, that we were in 2005."

    Alex Turner to Radio X's John Kennedy on the latest album The Car, October 2022.

    Alex Turner, John Kennedy and Matt Helders in the Radio X studios, October 2022
    Alex Turner, John Kennedy and Matt Helders in the Radio X studios, October 2022. Picture: Stefano Broli
  2. "That rock'n'roll, it seems like it's faded away sometimes, but it will never die. And there's nothing you can do about it."

    Turner's show-stopping speech at the BRIT Awards 2014.

    Alex Turner, Nick O'Malley, Jaime Cook and Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys receive the award for the MasterCard British Album of the Year at The BRIT Awards 2014
    Alex Turner, Nick O'Malley, Jaime Cook and Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys receive the award for the MasterCard British Album of the Year at The BRIT Awards 2014. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
  3. "The arrival of The Strokes changed what music I was listening to, what shoes I was wearing. I grew my hair out and borrowed my mum’s blazer."

    Talking about Star Treatment to John Kennedy on Radio X, 2018

    Alex Turner performing with Arctic Monkeys at the Voodoo Music, New Orleans, November 2014.
    Alex Turner performing with Arctic Monkeys at the Voodoo Music, New Orleans, November 2014. Picture: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/APAlamy
  4. "I think if you start taking it too seriously, which I’m, like, sometimes definitely in danger of doing… then it gets ugly."

    The pitfalls of being a frontman, Esquire magazine.

    Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys in September 2023.
    Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys in September 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/Alamy
    Listen to John Kennedy's Track By Track Podcast: Arctic Monkeys - The Car
    Listen to John Kennedy's Track By Track Podcast: Arctic Monkeys - The Car. Picture: Radio X
  5. "It’d be nice if one of us was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. That would mean something mad had happened, some serious sh*t would have gone down between now and then."

    Another dream yet to be fulfilled, courtesy of Shortlist.

    Alex Turner performing in New Orleans, October 2018
    Alex Turner performing in New Orleans, October 2018. Picture: Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Alamy
  6. "You know how Shakira's hips don't lie? Well mine are incredibly good liars. A mask if you like.”

    Talking to TN LA Viola about how he overcame shyness.

    Alex Turner in August 2022
    Alex Turner in August 2022. Picture: Robson Mafra/AGIF (via AP)
  7. “I just can’t bring myself to write about the mountains yet. I’m still banging on about the same shit I was in the beginning, I suppose, but perhaps I’m directing it differently now.”

    On those early lyrical concerns, to Pitchfork

    Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys in April 2012
    Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys in April 2012. Picture: AP Photo/The Courier, Karl Anderson/Alamy
  8. "Doesn’t matter where I’m living. I’ve got a pen and a notebook I bought in a market in Manchester. That’s all I need.”

    Talking about songwriting to The National newspaper.

    Arctic Monkeys in September 2007
    Arctic Monkeys in September 2007. Picture: Jason Moore/Alamy
  9. “That was a real news story that I read, with a video attached to it that I watched. It’s just remarkable really, that it's possible. It just seemed like that’s where we’re at now, isn’t it? Those are the types of things that are happening."

    On The World's First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip, talking to John Kennedy on Radio X, 2018

    First ever Monster Truck front flip - Monster Jam World Finals 18 XVIII (2017) in Las Vegas

  10. "Who else was going to be Best British Band at NME? You don't write about something that much and then not tell them they're Best British Band."

    Telling the NME what's what at their awards night in 2006.

    Alex Turner performing with Arctic Monkeys at Reading 2006
    Alex Turner performing with Arctic Monkeys at Reading 2006. Picture: Alamy
  11. "Don't believe the hype."

    Kicking back at the media in the I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor video.

    Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (Official Video)

TRENDING ON RADIO X

Heading out on tour in '24: Kasabian, The Last Dinner Party and The Libertines

The biggest gigs and tours to come in 2024

Artists with new albums for 2024: Kasabian, Kings Of Leon and The Zutons.

The most anticipated new albums for 2024

Kasabian press image 2024

Serge Pizzorno: Kasabian's Call single is "built for festivals and big shows"

Catfish & The Bottlemen's Van McCann

Catfish & The Bottlemen's 2024 dates: How to buy tickets

Liam Gallagher Performs At The Festival O Son Do Camiño In Santiago De Compostela in 2022

Liam Gallagher & Friends: Malta Weekender line-up, tickets & pre-sale info