Amy Winehouse, 'Before Frank', 2016 — © Charles Moriarty

The best Amy Winehouse quotes

The unparalleled North London legend on falling in love, alcohol and crimes against fashion

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Wednesday 22 February 2017

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Amy Winehouse was an irrepressible storm of talent. Before her death in 2011, she charmed the world with her superior songwriting, caustic humour and bubbly personality. She was as frank in interviews as she was in her music, and despite being deeply troubled for periods of her life it never, ever felt like she was pretending. We've collected just some of her fantastic quotes.

Images taken from Charles Moriarty's book 'Before Frank', a series of previously unseen Amy Winehouse portraits.

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The best Amy Winehouse quotes

Amy Winehouse on collaborating

'I know it sounds a bit wanky but I can’t even work with someone unless they know more about music than me. I have to learn from them or it’s pointless.'

Amy Winehouse on double denim

'Double denim is like a crime against humanity. When it comes to fashion, I'm a bitch. You know what's attractive on a girl? A girl being herself. Don't be one of the crowd.'

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Amy Winehouse on the Brit Awards

'They're really boring. It's the kind of thing that only your nan could enjoy. You know [putting on a nan's voice], 'Oh my Gawd, it's Will Young!' You're surrounded by people that you just don't give a shit about.'

Charles Moriarty

Amy Winehouse on the most expensive thing she's bought

'My heart back from someone who may or may not have deserved it. I paid a lot.'

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Amy Winehouse on jazz

'Jazz is an excluding music. Go to a jazz club and everybody's standing about trying to be cool. A lot of it is boring. But after my record [Frank] I would say listen to Billie Holiday or Ella Fritzgerald.'

Amy Winehouse on stage school

'I'm always happy to blow up any misconceptions that people have about stage school 'cos everyone thinks it's really nasty there but it's not.'

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Charles Moriarty

Amy Winehouse on attempts to make her a popstar

'One of them tried to mould me into a big triangle shape and I went no!'

Amy Winehouse on Madonna

'I love the way she's so comfortable with her sexuality.'

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Amy Winehouse on drinking

'I'm just a young girl who gets f*cked up sometimes. Sometimes my head is screwed on tighter than bolts, but a lot of the time I do mess up and lose the plot like everyone does. But because I'm so defensive and sensitive I lash out a lot. I'm not a nice drunk.'

Amy Winehouse on her beehive

'My hair is always on point, even if the rest of me is really naff.'

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Amy Winehouse on Christina Aguilera

'She's a talented girl, but you couldn't really see it before when she was wearing those chaps with her ninny hanging out.'

Charles Moriarty

Amy Winehouse on songwriting

'Writing is a very natural process for me. I wait for when I’ve been through some horrible thing and there’s nothing I can do but write about it. I follow my heart because otherwise you get so caught up in other peoples opinions. Not that I’m any great authority! I’m a fucking idiot like the rest of the world, but I trust my instincts, and that’s what has got me where I am, y’know?'

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Amy Winehouse on Kylie

'I used to like Kylie - then I grew up.'

Amy Winehouse on being a diva

'If being a diva is getting what you want and knowing how to go and get it, then I guess I'm a big fucking fat diva.'

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