This is a thank you to Aaron Sorkin, creator and writer of The West Wing; not just the greatest TV show but an incredible work of art (in our humble opinion). He helped us find America so we named this song after him. The writing in this, his show, and the storylines cause us to look up and reach for the highest in our own lives and we will be forever grateful. Aaron's writing has lifted our mood many times and has always caused us to want to do better and make a contribution. Thank you. 

The song is part of our album I will let you have your say which is out now. It is a collection of songs inspired by our heroes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-will-let-you-have-your-say/id1104365563

You can connect with us here:
https://www.facebook.com/december1985
https://twitter.com/tilldecember
https://december1985.wordpress.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP2gvmvl7WrLNOPUK3C2sKA

Aaron Sorkin

Our thank you to President Obama. He is about hope. Thoughtful and compassionate. An example of how a good man can end up in the highest office in the world and still remain civil and kind. 

We think he will be remembered as one of the greats. This song was inspired by his speech at the 2008 convention when he invoked memory of the preacher from Georgia. We hope to thank him hugely online with this track after the noise of the 2016 election abates in November. Can't believe it has been 8 years. 

The song is part of our album I will let you have your say which is out now. It is a collection of songs inspired by our heroes: itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-will-…say/id1104365563

LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA:


2 August 2016
 
Dear Mr President,

SONG CALLED BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

My wife Ails and I are writing to you to share a song we wrote as a thank you and tribute to you. It is based on your speech at the 2008 Convention and is named after you.

Sir, you have been a joy to watch as you have campaigned and governed. You have been a great example of what leadership can be in the modern world and how someone can rise to the greatest office on planet earth and do so with humility, courtesy and consideration.

We are from Glasgow in Scotland and have mainly watched your journey from here though we are also regular visitors to Washington DC for vacation. Our musical lives are more of a serious hobby now that we are in our 40s [I am a recently appointed judge in Scotland after a career as a prosecutor.] We are not trying to ‘make it’ in the music business.

Our recent album is a collection of 13 songs named after people who have inspired us. Some, though not all, are famous. Some only should be. The track named after you, please forgive our cheek [!], is number two in the tracklisting. I've included the lyric below.

Part of our motivation in writing these songs has been to say out loud the thanks and appreciation we have for those who have made our lives better and who have inspired us to look up and aim for the highest in our own lives.

We are not the type of band which sells a lot of records but if this track sells at all we will donate the profits to charity. We are planning to promote it in November after the election through YouTube and social media.  If you have time to read this and and have a preferred charity in mind we would be delighted to make that happen.

We hope that you like the song. It comes with all of our respect, love and admiration. Your words and example have inspired us. We do not think we will see your like again and believe that history will record you as one of the greatest Presidents and leaders the world has seen.

With love and respect from Glasgow and every blessing and best wish for the future to you and your amazing family.

DECEMBER

https://soundcloud.com/december-12/barack-hussein-obama
 

You can connect with us here:
www.facebook.com/december1985
twitter.com/tilldecember
december1985.wordpress.com
www.youtube.com/channel/UCP2gvmvl7WrLNOPUK3C2sKA

Barack Hussein Obama

We really just want to be Lone Justice. Never seen anything like her when she lit up Queens Hall in Edinburgh in 1993. The best female singer ever. Total heart and soul and country heartbreak.

We can't match her but she inspires us and we love her so here goes.

[The song is part of our album I will let you have your say which is out now. It is a collection of songs inspired by our heroes: itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-will-…say/id1104365563]

You can connect with us here:
www.facebook.com/december1985
twitter.com/tilldecember
december1985.wordpress.com
www.youtube.com/channel/UCP2gvmvl7WrLNOPUK3C2sKA


Maria McKee

Mike Scott
The Waterboys first album was a huge influence on us. It’s where we got our name from. Their song December is a great folk/punk/country-ish track which you should check out. We named this song after the poet who gave us December.Thanks Mike.

This song is on our album I will let you have your say which is a collection of 13 songs about people who have inspired us; some are famous, some just should be. 

Mike Scott

Paul Maclean
Brother to Norman, the writer of the American classic A river runs through it. Even his brother and his father couldn’t save him. He didn’t know how to lie. Norman recorded his father’s words just before his death: ‘It is those we live with and love and who we should know, who elude us.’ The last paragraph of the book is beautiful.



Paul Maclean

Our version of U2's Invisible - for us the stand out track from the Songs of Innocence project. Not sure why it didn't end up on the album itself. 

Invisible

Our tribute to the greatest country singer, George Jones. A man of grace and beauty. In this song we are imagining him singing to Tammy Wynette. We appreciate we are going where angels fear to tread and hope he and she wouldn't mind our boldness. We all need willing hearts. 

George Jones

Fred set up a studio in the desert. It was and is called Rancho de la Luna and is legendary. He pioneered the desert sound and worked with many legends of the music business including Daniel Lanois. He had a huge impact on those he worked with. From what we've read no one had a bad word to say about the man and he left a real legacy of love.

Majur was one of the lost boys of Sudan and is now a chess master in the United States. He was one of 20000 boys who endured a month long march to safety in Ethiopia. His story is one of hope and resilience. And humility.
 
Angela Vidrine and her husband David lost the most precious person imaginable. They are somehow still standing up and looking to the light.

I will let you have your say

Fred Drake, Majur Juac and Angela Vidrine

Our version of the U2 classic. Image courtesy of Will Wintercross. (c)Will Wintercross/srrf.co.uk. Out now: proceeds #ForAleppo.
Donations to www.srrf.co.uk
[written by Paul David Hewson, David Evans, Adam Clayton and Lawrence Mullen Jr]

Where the streets have no name

Our cover of Energy Orchard's Belfast. Written by Joby Fox.

When you listen to the lyric it's simple and honest. It is so hard to write like that. You need to cut through all the nonsense to be that direct and real. The song looks back without being overly nostalgic and looks up. It speaks about music getting you through and how people are connected and you can go home however hard it seems. That's what it says to us anyway.

We're from Glasgow but have always had an affinity with the Irish, north and south. So much in common. Cities by the sea, shipbuilders. Cities divided but somehow one. Cities full of music and heart. Anyway, we loved this band. They were one of the many bands of the 80s whose passion and drive we have been trying to emulate for years now. This song is about a beloved city. it's genius writing we can only strive to get closer to. 

RIP Bap Kennedy.

'Sing out louder, I will soon be there.'

Belfast [cover of Energy Orchard]

our cover of the great song by the legendary Scottish band.

In A Big Country

Glasgow band, we follow U2, Springsteen and The Alarm.

december

Popular tracks