This was the first song I recorded on my own and I think the learning curve shows a little in the production! But it serves to remind me that things can always be improved upon, even if the subject matter is the anthem for lost causes. And it was once described as sounding "Like the Manics with Talk Talk's Mark Hollis singing"...

Holding On

A stripped down, piano and strings reimagining of Slipping Away... something to tug at those heartstrings....

A Nation Rising - Slipping Away (the Broken version)

Slipping Away (the Broken version)

I envisaged this track as the emotional centrepiece of this album... when you know that the truth really won't set you free in the way you want it to, this is what you sing.

05 - Please Stay

That feeling when you know you're too stupid to know when to quit a situation, but you hang in there anyway. You know that feeling? Here's your anthem!

06 - Holding On

I'll probably never write a more personal song in my lifetime than this one. A giant middle finger and a statement about going it alone!

07 - Ghost

Believe in yourself. That's the story here. You have to do it before anyone else will!

08 - I Know

Secretly, we all want somebody to tell us we've done well and that we've made a small difference. I'm no different... I want that as well...

09 - Someone To Be Proud Of Me

An upbeat, almost dance-y number that discusses the TikTok / YouTube generation and anyone who really wants to be famous!

Like Nobody's Watching

There's an election coming up... never forget that the people have power!

Waiting For The World To Notice

Gone

Uplifting, soaring, anthemic rock music... big tunes, bigger choruses!

A Nation Rising is the solo project of Simon Lee, ably assisted by the ever-present drum module Dr Mondo. With influences ranging from the Manic Street Preachers, Depeche Mode, Jim Steinman, 80s hair metal and many things in between all of those, the aim was to create music that felt and sounded BIG... that would sound at home in an arena with thousands of people singing along.

Once described as sounding "Like the Manics produced by Jeff Lynne, with Talk Talk's Mark Hollis on vocals."

A Nation Rising

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