'Drifting' was what I was doing in the late eighties. These songs were written and recorded towards the end of the long-distance with me in my lonely garret.

1. Here's to young love

This is quite an old tune for me and quite an unusually gymnastic one too. It reminds me of 'the' relationship's early days.

2. Strange

It was easy in my isolation to get into the eerie mindset of someone on the romantic outside.

3. In three words

A little bit too easy to say, my friend.

4. That kind of thing

What kind of thing? I can't tell you but it certainly doesn't happen round here.

5. Story of love

Based around a bass line (so to speak). Meant to give the impression of howling betrayal.

6. Julie

Elusive mystical woman. As usual.

7. A thousand parts

This is one of those paeans to about-to-be-lost love. You must be used to them by now.

8. History of romance

A little piece of whimsy. A few of the words had been with me for years and I forced myself to finish the song. The idea that I had great knowledge of romance was obviously far-fetched.

9. So graceful

Given that this was written at the end of a relationship it's a mixture of fond memory and foolish but brave hope.

10. Heartbeat of an angel

I was almost thirty-five, halfway through the allotted span, and having to start again. The heartbeat represented the continuity that I desperately needed, not to mention the sense of direction.

11. Statistically speaking

I set myself the challenge of writing a song containing as many maths references as I thought reasonable (a mathematician would say the references are numerical rather than mathematical but that's mathematicians for you). There is meant to be a correlation between mathematics and music but not many maths practitioners are songwriters, thank God.

12. Different partners

I consistently felt like the junior partner in our relationship. Where was the vision, the knowledge, the certainty? Blowed if I knew.

13. I said 'Sunshine'

One of my favourites. A simple formula, but it works well.

14. Hold me close

Hey it’s upbeat, hey, it might be a view of heaven, and hey, it has the old ideal relationship mixed in.

15. Homo erectus

It wasn't long before Thatcher's demise that I turned my satirical scattergun towards self-made man. Missed the boat again.

16. Sadness in snow

A short poem by Linda Fravigar. Hope the music catches the mood.