Working life often feels like nothing but intrusions and distractions – much like my own head. Wouldn’t it be nice to just step outside for a bit of peace? So yeah, I’m giving the bird on my “out of office” reply.

This was the catalyst for doing the whole project. I stuck the demo behind the opening titles of a popular US drama and it suddenly felt real, conjuring up an atmosphere and intention that drove the project forward. This is a spiritual song but it’s not particularly religious.

I’ve battled with anxiety and depression all my life. Days go by when I can do very little, so I try to make the most of the “up” days by being ridiculously productive. On my low days I don’t necessarily feel unhappy or ungrateful for my lot. I just can’t get up.

It’s become a bit of a cliché now that we’re just rearranging the deckchairs (on the Titanic). I did have an unfinished middle eight part for this that was more hopeful and talked about how we can change the world with love. I have hope. But I wanted this to be hard and somewhat unforgiving – a wake up call.

I hadn’t played anything live since I was a student until I performed this at a cabaret event at my daughter’s school. I was so nervous it may as well have been Wembley Stadium. This is written for my wife – there are lots of songs about first love, but this is about enduring love, warts and all.

I think this one tells its own story. I didn’t know her long and who knows what might have happened if I hadn’t made some spectacularly wrong choices. Wherever she is, I hope she’s happy.