Who remembers this? This was a ‘Forces Request’ staple, being played on the radio a lot. With an amazing melody, this was the song where the lyrics really led the song. A song about humiliation, despair, suicide and loss, it almost draws a tear from my eye whenever I hear it these days. Especially, the lyrics

“I remember I cried when my father died

Never wishing to hide the tears”

O’Sullivan is Irish and originally a drummer who later became a piano player. His piano style is defined by his drumming – it’s as if he is still hitting the high-hat and snare, just using the keys on the piano instead. It has a really nice percussive effect which makes this into an amazing tune – joyful and active. Which makes it really weird to have such depressing lyrics set to this. In this case, unlike Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Baker Street’, the song isn’t autobiographical. It was just a young 21-year old imagining all the worst things that could happen, and writing a song about it. I’ve no idea why such a morose song was such a favourite on the radio when we were growing up – if you have some idea, please send your comments to me!

O’Sullivan apparently had a very successful career, with many #1 songs, all of which I have never heard ?. I blame All India Radio.