Chris Difford

Originally coming to fame in the post-punk South London band Squeeze, Chris Difford is one of the most enduringly popular songwriters in Britain, often in partnership with fellow Squeeze man Glenn Tilbrook. Difford and Tilbrook have often been described as the UK's best songwriting partnership after Lennon and McCartney; with Difford later going on to collaborate with modern pop stars like Olly Murs. In 30 years he has been responsible for a strong catalogue of songs full of distinctive narratives, including most of Squeeze's biggest hits - such as Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Tempted, Pulling Mussels From A Shell and Annie Get Your Gun - while also writing lyrics for artists as diverse as Elton John, Wet Wet Wet and Lisa Stansfield. After a string of hits and constant touring in the mid/late 1970s, Squeeze first split up in 1982, when Difford started working in a duo with Glenn Tilbrook, releasing one album together in 1984. Squeeze reunited in 1985, split again in 1999 only to re-form yet again in 2007. Difford, meanwhile, released his first solo album I Didn't Get Where I Am in 2003, following it with South East Side Story (2007) and The Last Temptation Of Chris (2008); the latter being an emotional album dedicated to his late brother. Difford also hosts a twice-yearly songwriting retreat and in 2010 curated the all-star Songs In The Key Of London concert with a new album Cashmere If You Can, released progressively in 12 parts through 2010 by the Saturday Morning Music Club.

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