Chris Difford
Encyclopedia
Chris Difford is a singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer.
He has written lyrics for over 30 years, most notably in partnership with Glenn Tilbrook
. The two were primary members in Squeeze and Difford & Tilbrook
. On their first appearance on Top of The Pops, Difford wore a T-shirt proclaiming 'Today Deptford, Tomorrow The World!' Some of their best-known songs are "Tempted", "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
", "Black Coffee in Bed
", "Cool for Cats
", "Up the Junction" and "Annie Get Your Gun
".
Difford has also written lyrics for music by Jools Holland
, Elton John
, Wet Wet Wet
, Marti Pellow
and others. In 2004, Lisa Stansfield
released the Trevor Horn
produced single, "If I Hadn't Got You", co-written by Difford with Chris Braide
, which became a hit
in Europe.
In addition to his work with Squeeze, he has released four solo albums:
In 2002, Difford performed "Town and Country Rhythm and Blues" on the album Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues.
In 2008 he also wrote the lyrics to "Let's Not Fight this Christmas", a song performed by Difford and The One Show
team, in a bid to get a Christmas Number 1.
In January 2010 Difford announced from the stage of the Half Moon, Putney, that he would be renting a villa in Italy that coming summer with Glenn Tilbrook
– to write songs together for the first time in over ten years.
In March 2010, Difford curated 'Songs In The Key Of London', a evening of music dedicated to the capital at the Barbican Centre
. The event featured Difford, Glenn Tilbrook
, Jools Holland
, Suggs
and Chas Smash
from Madness
, Chaz Jankel and Derek Hussey from The Blockheads, Kathryn Williams
, Robyn Hitchcock
, Scritti Politti
's Green Gartside
, as well as younger acts such as Peggy Sue
, Tunng
, Natty
and Mystery Jets
' Blaine Harrison. The evening was compered by actor Phil Daniels
and included surprise guest Elvis Costello
. The finale was the entire ensemble performing a rousing version of The Kinks
' "Waterloo Sunset
".
He has written lyrics for over 30 years, most notably in partnership with Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid 1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally wrote the melody for Squeeze, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics...
. The two were primary members in Squeeze and Difford & Tilbrook
Difford & Tilbrook
Difford & Tilbrook are the songwriting team of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, known for their work as the principal writers for the New Wave rock band Squeeze...
. On their first appearance on Top of The Pops, Difford wore a T-shirt proclaiming 'Today Deptford, Tomorrow The World!' Some of their best-known songs are "Tempted", "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)
"Pulling Mussels " is a new wave song by the band Squeeze. First released on the 1980 album Argybargy, it received positive critical reviews, peaked at #44 on the UK Singles Chart, and became one of Squeeze's most popular songs...
", "Black Coffee in Bed
Black Coffee In Bed
"Black Coffee in Bed" was the first single released from Squeeze's fifth album, Sweets from a Stranger. At the time of its release it was the longest Squeeze track ever issued, and it remains the only 7" Squeeze single over six minutes long...
", "Cool for Cats
Cool For Cats (song)
"Cool for Cats" was the second single released from Squeeze's Cool for Cats album. It featured a comparatively rare lead vocal performance from Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford, one of only two occasions he sang lead on a Squeeze single A-side...
", "Up the Junction" and "Annie Get Your Gun
Annie Get Your Gun (song)
"Annie Get Your Gun" was a single released by the New Wave band Squeeze in 1982. It was not featured on any studio album, but has been included on a number of compilations, including Singles – 45's and Under...
".
Difford has also written lyrics for music by Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Wet Wet Wet
Wet Wet Wet
Wet Wet Wet are a Scottish pop rock band that formed in the 1980s. They scored a number of hits in the British charts and around the world. The band is composed of Marti Pellow , Tommy Cunningham , Graeme Clark and Neil Mitchell...
, Marti Pellow
Marti Pellow
Marti Pellow has been the lead singer of the Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet since their formation in 1982. He has also recorded solo material.-Early life:...
and others. In 2004, Lisa Stansfield
Lisa Stansfield
Lisa Stansfield is an English singer and songwriter.-Early years:Stansfield was born to Marion and Keith Stansfield in Heywood, Lancashire, in England, where she attended Redbrook School, Rochdale. Her first television appearance was on a talent programme in the Granada TV area in 1982...
released the Trevor Horn
Trevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
produced single, "If I Hadn't Got You", co-written by Difford with Chris Braide
Chris Braide
Christopher Braide is an English singer, songwriter, record producer published by Sony/ATV worldwide based in Los Angeles.Producer, Songwriter and Ivor Novello ASCAP and Billboard award winner Christopher Braide has achieved considerable success as a songwriter in the UK and the US. His songs have...
, which became a hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
in Europe.
In addition to his work with Squeeze, he has released four solo albums:
- I Didn't Get Where I Am, 2003
- South East Side Story, 2007, a bonus disk included with the DVD recording of Squeeze's greatest hits, included Difford singing acousticAcoustic musicAcoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
versions of his favourite Squeeze tracks - The Last Temptation of ChrisThe Last Temptation of ChrisThe Last Temptation of Chris is an album by Chris Difford, one of the founding members of the new wave band Squeeze. It was released on April 7, 2008. This is his second solo album, a follow-up to his solo debut in 2002, I Didn't Get Where I Am. The album is dedicated to Chris's brother, Les,...
, 2008 - Cashmere if You Can, 2011, (SMMC Media SMMC1). Released by the Saturday Morning Music Club. From June 19, 2010 every Saturday for 10 weeks a new chapter was released featuring the week's lead track from the album, plus extras such as b-sides, a video, photos, lyrics and song notes, building to a whole library of music and content.
In 2002, Difford performed "Town and Country Rhythm and Blues" on the album Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues.
In 2008 he also wrote the lyrics to "Let's Not Fight this Christmas", a song performed by Difford and The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
team, in a bid to get a Christmas Number 1.
In January 2010 Difford announced from the stage of the Half Moon, Putney, that he would be renting a villa in Italy that coming summer with Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid 1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally wrote the melody for Squeeze, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics...
– to write songs together for the first time in over ten years.
In March 2010, Difford curated 'Songs In The Key Of London', a evening of music dedicated to the capital at the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
. The event featured Difford, Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid 1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally wrote the melody for Squeeze, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics...
, Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
, Suggs
Suggs (singer)
Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
and Chas Smash
Chas Smash
Cathal Smyth, also known as Chas Smash is an English musician, best known as the backing singer and dancer in the ska/pop band Madness. He also plays trumpet, acoustic guitar and various percussion instruments...
from Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
, Chaz Jankel and Derek Hussey from The Blockheads, Kathryn Williams
Kathryn Williams
Kathryn Williams is an English singer-songwriter.-Background:Williams was born in Liverpool, and now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne after earning an art degree in the city. Williams released her first album, Dog Leap Stairs on her own Caw Records label in 1999 with a budget of £80...
, Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
, Scritti Politti
Scritti Politti
Scritti Politti are a British band, originally formed in 1977 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Although there have been various changes to the line-up, Cardiff-born singer-songwriter Green Gartside was the founding member of the band and the only member to have remained throughout the group's...
's Green Gartside
Green Gartside
Green Gartside , is a British musician, and the frontman of the band Scritti Politti....
, as well as younger acts such as Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue
"Peggy Sue" is a rock and roll song written by Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty, and originally performed, recorded and released as a single by Buddy Holly in early July of 1957. The Crickets are not mentioned on the single but both Joe B. Mauldin and Jerry Allison are known to be...
, Tunng
Tunng
Tunng are an experimental folk band from the United Kingdom.The band is often associated with the folktronica genre due to the electronic influences evident in some of their work.-Biography:...
, Natty
Natty (artist)
Natty is a songwriter, singer and musician from Finsbury Park, North London.- History :Born Alexander Akiloe Philip Modiano in San Francisco, California. Natty moved to London, England with his family at the age of one. His musical eclecticism of today reflects the differing tastes of his parents...
and Mystery Jets
Mystery Jets
Mystery Jets are an English five-piece indie band, formerly based on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, London. The band was formed by Henry Harrison , Blaine Harrison and William Rees when the boys were still at school and would send each other songs on cassettes...
' Blaine Harrison. The evening was compered by actor Phil Daniels
Phil Daniels
Philip W. "Phil" Daniels is an English actor, most noted for film and television roles as "cockneys" such as Jimmy in Quadrophenia, Richards in Scum, Stewart in The Class of Miss MacMichael, Mark in Meantime, Kevin Wicks in EastEnders, DCS Frank Patterson in New Tricks and Edward Kitchener "Ted"...
and included surprise guest Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
. The finale was the entire ensemble performing a rousing version of The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
' "Waterloo Sunset
Waterloo Sunset
Waterloo Sunset is a song by British rock band The Kinks. It was released as a single in 1967, and featured on their album Something Else by The Kinks...
".