I was asked to contribute something to a magazine for Widows and Widowers. I felt a bit lost and didn’t know what I wanted to write. I went outside to chop some wood (in my dungarees). Half an hour…
Week 44 – 31st October 2014 – Past Tense
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Week 43 – 24 October 2014 – Comfort Ye
Brace yourselves: It’s a gospel song. And it mentions god. But, as usual with me, it’s my notion of god which is something like the best part of me. The most benign voice in my head. I wish I could…
Week 42 – 17th October 2014 – Pamukkale
When I was in my early 20s I wrote a handful of songs. They were emotional and full of brittle wit, I remember. One of them has always stayed with me. I remember exactly when I wrote it, who it…
Week 41 – 10th October 2014 – Call It
Finally! A love song! Call It It rises from the guts And then you call it love It’s newer than anything ever was And then you call it love It’s a filter on a photograph That changes all though…
Week 40 – 3 October 2014 – Falling
Falling. They pass through but the room remains I am that room I am the floor I am the walls They pass through but the room remains I don’t bolt the door The air is full but only when the…
Week 39 – 26th September 2014 – Mercy
Having struggled with last week’s song I sat down and wrote this song very quickly. But then I’ve waited probably my whole life to write it. Having been steeped in religious music and imagery growing up, it has taken until…
Week 38 – 19th September 2014 – Monster
I have been asked often whether songs come easily or not. The answer is, of course, that it depends. In the case of this song, the answer is definitely, NOT I knew exactly what it was supposed to be, I…
Week 37 – 12 September 2014 – You’re Noticing Now?
Now I love a ranting break-up song – they are a staple of all my favourite kinds of music: country, RnB and pop – but I’ve always thought it a little sad that a lot of artists seem to have two…
Week 36 – 5 September 2014 – All Change
Life changes (all good!) and the end of summer… Season Change This begins because that’s ended I am free How pure the air smells September breeze It’s the scent of my freedom Fertile as this pear tree The sun has…
Week 35 – 29th August 2014 – Afternoon Tea
Anyone who knows me will be aware that there’s nothing I like better than hosting afternoon tea. Though I say it myself I’m a stunning baker and I like getting out the best china. So this is, on the surface,…