Chris Difford has been writing lyrics for over twenty five years most notably with Squeeze. After 13 albums and many top 20 hits, 29 American tours, 30 UK tours and various trips around the globe, Chris decided to stop the merry-go-round and test the waters. His debut solo album “I Didn’t Get Where I Am…” was released in 2002. Songs like Tempted, Up the Junction, Cool for Cats and Black Coffee in Bed still find steady air-play on UK and US radio.
In June of 2005, Squeeze released The Big Squeeze, a compilation of singles and B sides that went straight into the UK chart at Number 8, proving the timeless appeal of their music. During time away from Squeeze, Chris has written with Elton John, Trilok Gurtu, Marti Pellow, Lamont Dozier, Willie Mitchell and many others. In his spare time, Chris organizes writer workshops, which have been an inspiration to everyone that has attended. Last year he hosted a Songwriter Webcast from his studio in Sussex with bands like Turin Brakes and The Webb Brothers. The Broadcast also featured Jane Birkin and Nitin Sawhney. Scripting the lyrics for the film Still Crazy; this won him an Ivor Novello Award, a proud moment for the mantelpiece. The film documented the insane life of a rock band in the 70s. Something he knew a little about! Image hosting by Photobucket Back in 1984, Chris, with his songwriting partner Glenn Tilbrook, wrote a musical called Labelled with Love. It ran for three months in London and this remains one of his fondest memories of working with Glenn. Most recently, Chris has been writing with Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow for his 2nd solo album. This two-year project has given Chris the chance to bring together some of the finest writers, as he did on Marti’s Martis first album, Smile. Together, Chris and Marti have composed over 150 new songs with people like Steve Booker, Adam Levy (Norah Jones’ guitarist), Amy Wadge, Jim Watson and many more. Chris is working on various projects at the moment: a musical with Guy Barker - Jazz Trumpeter supreme and a record with his friend Matt Deighton from Mother Earth fame.
In August 2006 Chris released South East Side Story, an acoustic album and DVD that features reworked versions of classic Squeeze songs, and a live performance at the Albany Theatre. This Autumn he also embarks on a UK tour with Marti Pellow. South East Side Story is released on Luna Records, for more details visit http://www.lunarecords.co.uk. |
