“I will never retire. Songwriting is in my blood. I’m happiest when I’m writing.
I started writing songs at the age of 14. Before that I wrote limericks, short stories and jokes. My mother bought a piano for the front room because she thought it was a lovely piece of furniture. As soon as the piano arrived in the house, I started writing songs.
I’m self taught on both piano and guitar. I got my first guitar after seeing it in a pawn shop window costing £3 and asking my mother if I could have it. She said she had no money, but if they would swap it for two old prams then I could have it.
That guitar is now featured in the V&A East Museum in London as part of its inaugural exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story.
The neck is wide and my hands would have been much smaller then than they are now. I honestly don’t know how I managed to play it, but I suppose it was determination.
Music and songwriting have brought me great joy and good fortune. I’ve met people I would never otherwise have met, travelled all over the world and been invited to extraordinary places and events — all because of the songs I write.
I’ve loved performing the many concerts I’ve done over the years, but even if none of those things had happened, I would still be a songwriter.
I write because I love it.”
I love all that comes with songwriting and I very much enjoy the many concerts that I have performed in over the years but even if none of these things happened I would still be a songwriter.
I write because I love it.