Feather on the Clyde
This is the last “song story” that I’ll write .
Which seems fitting as its very nearly the end of the year ….
Its also the final song on the album as well as being the last single that we released from the anniversary edition .
But more than that , to me Its always had the feeling of something ending . A chapter of life coming to a close , that moment of reflection once the dust settles . A giving up and a letting go .
I adore this song .
I wrote it , perhaps unsurprisingly , while I was on one of many busking trips to Glasgow .
I’ve always loved Glasgow - such a vibrant city full of amazing characters and stories . I’ve met some wonderful people up there over the years and had some great gigs and some hilarious nights out .
It was always a brilliant town to busk in . one of those places that has folk music in its blood and my songs and I have always felt so welcome there .
We used to stay at a hostel which was just next to the Clyde .
I remember one night , stu and a few other friends of mine were heading out for drinks and to see a gig but I decided to hang back and do my own thing . it was a beautiful evening so I took my guitar down to the river to play and watch the world go by .
It strikes me again now how much energy I had for it all back then .
Even after a full day / week / months on end of busking and playing my songs every day and night , I still had such an appetite for it .
To go and play only for myself . for no other reason other than to make music and enjoy it .
It gives me a little twinge of sadness to write this .
Sitting here at the age of thirty nine , the truth is I don’t play like that very often any more .
I’ve been beyond lucky with everything that has happened over the last 10 years . It’s everything I ever wanted and more . I wouldn’t change anything and everyday I feel enormous gratitude to be able to live this life .
But if I’m completely honest , my relationship with my art and music and the way that I make it has changed over the years . It’s had to .
The relentless touring / recording / promo / travelling etc has meant that I just haven’t had that kind of space and time and energy to just sit and play like I did that night by the Clyde .
Perhaps it comes with getting older and with life becoming fuller and more complex .
Maybe also it happens to everyone that is lucky enough to do what they love for a living .
it makes me think of a Joni Mitchell lyric - “well something’s lost , but somethings gained , in living everyday” 😢
I’m really going to try to find my way back to that way of being a little more next year . I need to remember to find the time , energy and love to pour in to my songwriting and continue to nourish the very core of what I do and who I am . Some of the most magical moments - including this song - have been born from doing so .
The chorus lyrics are some of my favourite lines that I’ve written . Not because they’re overly clever , more due to the disarming honesty of them
“Well I would swim but the river is so wide , I’m scared I won’t make it to the other side , god knows I’ve failed but he knows that I’ve tried” - to me this is a moment of real vulnerability . Owning up to being afraid of the enormity and uncertainty of everything . Acknowledging failure but having the courage to be kind to yourself at the same time .
“I long for something that’s safe and warm , but all I have is all that is gone , I’m as helpless and as hopeless as a feather on the Clyde” - reaching out for something comforting and familiar from the past in a transient and unsettling present . Realising the things that have been lost and how delicate and precarious we all are .
Ooooofffffff …. 😭
When thinking about who might be a good fit to collaborate with on this one , my mind wondered to the Scottish artists that I know and love . It felt necessary to share it with someone who would know Glasgow well .
I didn’t have to think for very long .
Nina was on the very first European tour that I did with ed many years ago . I think she was only 17 but it was very obvious to everyone what a massive talent she had .
Her voice on this song is just magical . It’s the perfect tone and elevates it to another level entirely .
I cant thank her enough for joining me on it .
Thank you all so much too for coming on this little journey with me through the album .
Although I write songs for a living , I’m not used to writing like this …. I hope some of it has been interesting and insightful .
I have no idea how many of you have been reading these , and perhaps , with what I was saying earlier about creating things just for the sake of it , it doesn’t really matter .
It’s been an incredibly emotional thing to do for me and actually a really amazing way to unearth all of the memories around writing and recording this album .
So much love to you all .
Mike xx