Hackney town centre inspires Olympic song
A heartwarming moment in Hackney features in a new song, part of a project supporting a Dalston-based children’s charity.
The project, called Listen With Nigel, follows Nigel Parkes, as he travels around London on public transport during the Olympic Games and writes song lyrics inspired by what he sees and hears.
The idea is to raise awareness of family support charity Family Action, of which Nigel is a regional director, and give an alternative view of the capital during the Games.
“I’m not a song writer,” he said. “It’s just an old guy with a rucksack and a stool. I just potter around.
“The musicians are the real talent, I just write a few words.
You may also want to watch:
“It’s a voyage of discovery in two ways. I’m discovering London as a northerner and the differences are dramatic in half a mile. Also I didn’t know I could write lyrics.
“It’s awesome but shattering.”
Most Read
- 1 Hackney people encouraged to shop local for April 12 reopening
- 2 Jailed: Newham men who raped and robbed women in Hackney home
- 3 Hackney's great beer gardens reopening on April 12
- 4 Garden of Lament, Covid, Ramadan, homing cats and Islamophobia
- 5 Community group crowdfunds to turn old Lea valley water depot into wild space
- 6 Campaign to keep Hackney Wick 'alive' with street art
- 7 'I can't wait to buy useless items' when shops reopen after Covid lockdown
- 8 Hoxton restaurant showcases menus by New City College student chefs
- 9 Tote bags help tackle homelessness and addiction
- 10 Police hunt Ilford man after shooting in Hackney
Starting in Shoreditch, Nigel has travelled to the West End, Richmond and Stratford but it was an incident in Hackney town centre that helped inspire his song Gold of Tomorrow.
Nigel bought a slice of watermelon to eat whilst waiting at a bus stop in Graham Road, Hackney. He offered some to other people queuing, including a young girl with her mum.
“As she ate the melon she looked so pleased, then her head dropped down because she’d got a pip.
“That was one of my favourite moments of the journey so far. The lovely thing was that one of the songs begins with eating watermelon at a bus stop. That’s the image of the little girl in Graham Road. It was a lovely memory.”
Nigel’s lyrics are set to music – a different style every day – by musicians and there is a new song every day.
Next week he will visit Broadway Market.
His ssongs are available to listen free at http://www.facebook.com/familyaction/
