Elearning World podcast

This is one of those pieces that is just simple and fun.

A vaguely auto-biographical song judging by the title. I always felt too serious, and unable to have fun - the exception being when I am with my children.

This song was inspired by some ex-girlfriends, but the chorus line actually came from a Laurel and Hardy film !

A song written about some friends of mine and their dating experiences.

This is a song written about being away from the people, or person, that you care about but looking up at the same stars despite the distance.

This is a dance track that through different parts reminds me of Level 42, and 80's house music. I've also put in a nod to Ray Manzerak and the Doors towards the end - it's easy to spot!

This track was written for my friend Margy.

A song about domestic abuse.

A song about living in a toxic relationship with someone that uses and manipulates you, in various ways, and it gets stronger the longer you put up with it and stay involved. Musically I think I was maybe influenced by later Depeche Mode on this one? As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's and 1990's that were never released.

A song about sitting in my flat looking out the window on a rainy day, and I think I must have been a bit sad? The chorus is actually a poem written by my friend's young daughter - Abigail Wojick - so if you ever see this Abby get in touch, lol. I was struck by the beautiful simplicity of her words. As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's...

Written about a girlfriend in my 20's. The song is full of expectation and excitement, and reflects on how someone can change your emotional state when they enter your life, and how you look forward to the future. For the music geeks most of the Saxophone is from the original demo - which I played on an Ensoniq ASR-10 - Ensoniq made the Mirage - the first affordable sampling keyboard). I seem to r...

A song written about a crazy jealous girlfriend I had who tried to destroy my photo album - remember those? (the photo album I mean, not the crazy girlfriend, lol). For the geeks out there you can clearly hear the original Roland TR707 drum machine and Sequential Circuits Prophet synth mixed in here ad there :-) As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created i...

Written for / about my girlfriend Sian. It's one of the most romantic and sexiest songs I've written lyrically ... makes me blush, lol. I don't think it sounds a s strongly 80's as some of the others tracks, but I am quite pleased with the overall soundscape and arrangement. As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's and 1990's that were neve...

This is from a demo in the late 1980's that was never released. I feel it's got a very strong 80's dance club vibe, and I think some Human League influence probably. It's only got about a dozen words, lol, which summarise the end of a relationship in a 100% succinct and non emotional way. As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's and 1990's...

This song was written about a friend of mine who was having trust issues with her boyfriend. Even so, it's a lively upbeat song, with an ultimately optimistic message. I've managed to keep the original late 80's feel I think? As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's and 1990's that were never released.

A simple song about the end of a relationship. The phrase 'Hey Hey' is basically the sound of resignation. It's also known as my "La-la-la" song because of the end section, lol. As with all the tracks on Early Years it was rescued and revived from demo's created in the 1980's and 1990's that were never released.

A song written for, and about, a really special friend of mine. I like the way it goes through different movements, from quite manic, to very melodic, and the guitar is almost Pink Floyd like (not that I am comparing myself!!!). I also like the way the words don't follow a standard verse > chorus approach, but just 'appear where they do' is an almost random way.

A song about meeting someone who is a narcissist. It's a perfect little pop song, and doesn't ry to be anything else. The chord progression is very simple, and something even my young daughters enjoy :-) I like the way the string arrangement works, and there's something that reminds me of REM on the overall production of the song?

A nice EDM (Electronic Dance Music) piece with a rock guitar - which is quite usual. With thanks to Emilie for the spoken words, which is a quote from "The Little Prince" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Prince

A song about how two people can live together but incredibly still be so very far apart and see the same things so differently. It tries to capture that "He said, she said" breakdown process, which seems so similar whether we are 15, or 50.

A song about seeing someone from afar that looks so perfect, but the reality can never live up to that perception. I guess we all have those moments when we see a stranger walk past that catches our eye? Musically it's quite an unusual arrangement, with elements that are deliberately out of tune or dissonant.

A song about being independent, and people saying you are "living the dream" but you really don't feel like that. It's got a sort of Indie Pop feel maybe? My youngest daughter Olivia made the cover art :-)

A song about being in a family, with all the stresses and mundane moments that creates, but not taking your partner for granted, which is very easy to do. It's about taking your eye off the situation, and missing the things that are most important, and recognising and celebrating those. Musically I think there is something slightly U2 about this (although I think it's just he sound palette and may...

A song all about hoping that the next day will be better than the last. Sometimes we just drag ourselves through daily life, just 'turning the wheel', and hoping that something will make our life better one day. This is a song about that.

A relatively simple song all about wanting life to just be a little bit better day by day ... or at least one day! Haha. This is the 'unplugged' style acoustic version, so it's trimmed back, with no big drums, and guitars are 'held back' and not too hard sounding.