September

I wrote this song after 9/11, inspired by a conversation I had with my (then) eight-year-old children about how the WTC events had made them feel. September sees those events through the eyes of children, who just wanted to lock the door, close the curtains and forget about the rest of the world.

In the subsequent 16 years, I have written many songs around the theme of strength and solidarity through adversity, but this song is still as powerful for me as the ‘stand up and be counted’ songs, as the headlines continue to bring terrifying news of division and bigotry.

Hands

I wrote Hands for Tongue and Groove, who were an a cappella quintet I wrote for and sung with for many years. It is about the rite of passage and transformation of a relationship from lovers to friends. Enough said! It has always felt like a really positive song, though it is slow, bluesy and reflective. I always think it needs serious stadium rock drum accompaniment!