This is a round up of odd songs and the best parts of ‘The English Musical’. It represents the end of the first phase of my songwriting – the time when I would sit down and write something just because I’d had an idea.
From now on I would deliberately think in terms of ‘songsets’, groups of songs based on a theme. To be pretentious for a moment (yes I know) it’s a continuation of the classical tradition of song cycle, of which English composers were particularly strong in the 20th century.
Would I go back to the ‘hey, let’s write a song about unknown love’ school of writing? Probably not. The ‘theme on a variation’ concept has many openings and possibilities, and I can build everyday ideas into them anyway.
Time and place: Various. ‘EM’ was about 1991 in Nottingham. After that followed a fallow period with ‘Emotion by Numbers’ an attempt to try again. It was about 1996 before ‘John’ appeared.
1. Fool to leave
Lost in history now I’m not sure if this refers to a specific situation. The ‘dark eyes’ remind me of someone but the rest doesn’t fit. I guess it tries to represent the ambiguity in the ending of a relationship: anger & humiliation versus hope of a new start.
2. Let's slip away
An idea started a long time back was finished not long before my wedding. It’s still relevant today: when Rosemary’s had a hard day at work in her proper job I do want to say this to her.
3. Emotion by numbers
A rather laboured attempt to flex the songwriting muscles. Still it’s not such a bad idea and it did kick-start the creativity.
4. Out of his time
One I particularly identify with. As an unrecognised artist myself I fully expect to be locked away in a drawer along with this stuff.
5. Advent song
This was the first attempt at music making with the church youth group that would eventually produce ‘Beauty and the Beast’. I think the words are all mine but most of the music is Tim Sutton’s. I don’t think this would win any hymn writing competitions.
6. With this ring
In another universe the winner of the Vivien Ellis Prize in 1990 was ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Contrary to the presented facts at the time it had contributions from others than the advertised writers (and contrary to the same hype it was nowhere near being a finished musical). There was a gaping hole in the plot and this was an unofficial attempt to fill it (no-one other than Chris was aware of it). I assume it’s in the same oblivion that its parent now occupies.
The English Musical
Around about 90-91 having tired of the one-off song, Chris and I attempted to write a musical. The story was loosely based on the Old Testament book of Ruth: a young Frenchwoman having being dumped by her English boyfriend travels to the UK with her mother-in-law and falls for an older man and …er that’s about it.
Twenty songs of varying quality and completeness were produced. These are probably the best:
7. Living in love
The young woman celebrates her love. But this is scarcely a celebration, more a reflection on how easily jubilation can turn to obsession. Needless to say the boyfriend does not share this view of the relationship.
8. Lessons to learn
The boy reflects that maybe this love thing is not as easy as it might seem.
9. Close for comfort
The older woman offers solace to the younger. As in Ruth she has lost her husband through death; and even if she hadn’t she still knew a lot about ‘that dark place’.
10. Fine woman, great love
The older woman reflects on how a young woman’s love can be trampled over, perhaps looking back at her younger self.
11. When did I choose?
The older man considers his current bachelor position and how he got there.
12. Flowers at eight
The younger woman, being unused to English etiquette, boldly asks the older man out a date. He is fascinated and appalled at the possible consequences.
13. To love a man
The older woman reflects upon her own longstanding and now ended relationship.
14. Love is dangerous
One of my favourites. The younger woman tells the older man how she thinks love should be. He should be more than grateful.