A small selection of some of my favourite songs I've written/co-written over the past 30 years, gives you a flavour of what I do. 
I can help you craft songs, get in touch!

My full Discography is here https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

Bandcamp Discography

Nigel Parrington - A Song Portolio

The Difficult 73rd Album

Sunny Day

Track #7 from our 'Summer's Last Hurrah' album, ten years old this year.  How it drags.

Buy the album on Bandcamp and get a drug bucket full of bonus tracks and whatnot 

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/summers-last-hurrah

Bandcamp

Paracetamol

Lyrics:

I've written all these songs for you, don't know what else to do
A penny for your thoughts they say, well it's the one who got away

You ever write a note for me? You ever haunted by memory?
I don't believe in ghosts you'd say, well you're the one who got away

I'm sailing down the river of regret, I didn't drown but I got wet

Well there's a road we'll never take, no matter how long we wait
I'll wait until my dying day for the one who got away


Played on BBC Radio 6 Music http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ft8jz November 2013

"The One Who Got Away has a traditional feel and is a song of loss made with subtle beauty and sadness, and it's little more than acoustic guitar and voice" The Sound Of Confusion

"The One Who Got Away...leans on acoustic simplicity to deliver its sad, wistful message" Ralph's Life 

Track 2 - the last song to 'write itself' - if only more would aspire to the same.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-invisible-ray/id707632346
A new video https://youtu.be/MOdAMq3CaS0

The Invisible Ray

The One Who Got Away

Purchase on Bandcamp

The final song of the final album originally released 7.10.13. & rapidly included on Tom Robinson's Extra Gems and featured on Fresh On The Net's 'Six Degrees' http://freshonthenet.co.uk/2013/06/six-degrees-13/
Now, of course, on our 'Greatest Bits'
A fare thee well song written earlier this year as my old Nana lay on the 'Liverpool Care Pathway' - she was 104 and more than ready to end her long story.  This song came out of that mixed emotional journey.
There's a charming film of us rehearsing this song: 
http://youtu.be/bDA5aG8jb_s

Long Story Short

Buy on Bandcamp

Orbison

A spanking new remix of our recent lockdown song, recorded over one damp continent and in several garages, outhouses etc. Cubase and Nigel attempt to bring together the classic and new line-ups of The Low Countries for one bumptious new song. Lo-fi and now 45% less noisy.
THE song of the Summer - literally

"On Bandcamp for a pound..." https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/the-song-of-the-summer-2022

Lyrics:

Throw off that Winter-coat, forget about the gloves
Let's get to the season, that every one loves
So can we bring on those sunny days
And the dog-daisy wine?
Drenched in ultra-violet rays, we're out of our minds

For the song of the summer, to melt our winter hearts
It's the song of the summer, some light in the dark
So sing the song of the summer, it's worming in your ear
Sing the song of the summer, like no one will hear

So get out of the house, feel the pollen in your lungs
Break the ice on the pond, and take the plunge

This is the song of the summer, like bindweed in your brain
Feel the song of the summer, sing it in the rain
And buy the song of the summer, on Bandcamp for a pound
Own the song of the summer, spread it around

Open your window, feel the air on your skin
Let the summer begin


Written by Nigel Parrington

Rob Daniels - drums, BVs
Els D'hooge - BVs
Darren Leadsom - bass
Marc Nellis - electric guitar
Nigel Parrington - lead vocal, guitars, piano
Dominic Williams - electric guitar

The Song of The Summer

Track #3 from our new album 'We Weathered The Storm'
Recorded by Nigel on his bed, remastered by Mick Armistead (the recording, not Nigel's bed)
Els D'hooge on accordion :)

iTunes https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn

We Weathered The Storm

The River Knows The Score

Single released 1.5.11 from The High Ones' eponymous album on Nub Country Records.
Tom Robinson Introducing BBC6 airplay and podcast!

The High Ones are a result of the smooth blending of Mark Lee (the pocket gods) and Nigel Parrington (the low countries) plus special guests.
Your five a day in one killer song: wild berries; drugbuckets; Flemish-groove; samples and a killer riff.


The High Ones

Blueberry Smile

Lyrics:

The sun and the moon cannot lift off the gloom
And the songs are all mellow and blue
It's not healthy to be, so downhearted like me
So please don't let it be you

No surprise it's a boy (girl) played my heart like a toy (left my head in a whirl)
Once more I haven't a clue
They'll tell you goodbye, leave you wondering why
So please don't let it be you

Is it worth all the trouble, to give them your heart, when you know it'll end up in two?
Is it worth all the touble? Well all I will say, is please don't let it be you

Track 5, the 'Greatest Bits' version (with Richard Turner on harmony vocal)

Don't Let It Be You

Lyrics:
In a City like this, it's easy to miss, just what I'm not.
The future's tomorrow, to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow's all we've got.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X2)

Yesterday's done, today's what we've won, who would've thought?
When I saw you last you struggled to grasp, how I was caught.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X2)

If you're hunting me down, well I'm, well I'm still around.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X3)

In a City like this, it's easy to miss, just what I'm not.
The future's tomorrow, to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow's all we've got


‘Like a lost track off Abbey Road’ @coffeehopper 

‘(The Low Countries)...revisiting an older number with considerable aplomb, it bodes well for their forthcoming self-titled album’ Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine  

‘Excellent live, and if you think indie folk can't do a BIG sound then think again’.. @BigJimCambo

‘Sonic bliss’  Ola’s Kool Kitchen 

‘Rousing delivery’ Unsigned and Independent 

‘Such a shaggable voice’ (anon)


The Low Countries, until 2013 an indie-folk duo, are now resurrected as a five piece band. They're currently recording a 6-track EP (out early 2016) and 'Sun Street (2015)' is their first band single, released September 25th 2015.  It features the harmony vocals of The Kitchen Collective choir.
Please enjoy/stream/purchase. Thank you loves.
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/track/1BcvC4tKceoQ10sTJwei4J
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/sun-street-2015-sin…/id1036723009
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015NDMH9K
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1EQtUhS
A kind of comeback for Nigel and his songs, assisted by a band of great musicians, people and friends.  Betty (the arranger of the choir vocals) told me recently she has 'a real emotional attachment to the song'. I think we all do. 
Here's the official video by Adam York Gregory https://youtu.be/SwL2-cSlNy8
'If you still need me...'

Recorded, engineered and mixed by Mick Armistead at Space Sound Lounge Studios. Lancashire. March-July 2015. 
Written by Nigel Parrington. 
Rob Daniels - drums, vocals, percussion. 
Els D'hooge - vocals 
Darren Leadsom - bass guitar 
Marc Nellis - electric guitar 
Nigel Parrington - lead vocals, guitars, melodica, piano, percussion 
Kitchen Collective vocals: 
Ann Brookes, Rowan Brook-Thompson, Rosa Coriander Grace Cooper-Davies, Kate Heathcote, Betty Manson, George Moran, Nigel Parrington, Maria Piacentini, Jilly Sumsion. Arranged by Betty Manson. 
Additional percussion by Maria Piacentini.

An Extended Play

Sun Street (2016)

Sun Street

Re-jigged and regurgitated. Tasty. Wes Martin on uke.
Available ere 
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/if-only-remix
Pic by Idiot Johnson

If Only [remix]

We recently returned to the location (and inspiration) for our 2008 mini album 'The Failing of the Strains'.  It got me thinking about the songs I wrote at the time, especially this one. 'Handmaid's Blush' was the lead track (with video https://youtu.be/o1zbAfvXLyU ) but I thought I'd pare down the production and let the voices and banjo (Wes Martin) shine through.

handmaid's blush

Handmaid's Blush [2015 remix]

Lyrics:  
You can read me like a book you can get yourself immersed
You can even take a look at my last page first
Tonight I'm a slave, to your pheremonal glands
I'm putty in your hands

Tie me down or tie me up I won't put up a fight
Give my heartstrings a pluck you can pluck me when you like
To hell with the righteous and blessed are the damned
I'm putty in your hands

You've got me crawling the floor
Got me begging more, begging more

I'm lost in your orbit, so bring me in to land
I'm putty in your hands

'Has the listener both bleary eyed and stamping feet with wide grin at one and the same moment' Indie Bands Blog
'The moment the Dylanesque harmonica launches alongside jangly guitar, descending bass and solid drums, the song springs to life and what follows does not disappoint' Fresh On The Net listening post

'Putty' has always been a favourite of Nigel’s and was written with a band in mind way back in 2004, so this was bound to be one of the first to be band-tested in rehearsals.  Rob and Darren helped Nigel transform the song from its lo-fi bedroom home-tape vibe to an altogether more power pop arrangement.  It’s a true band achievement with glorious harmonies, jangle riffage and a George Harrison inspired slide solo.  Mick the sound engineer was even inspired to sing a harmony. Karma.

Available on Bandcamp https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/putty-2  
                      iTunes https://apple.co/2DCb52M
                     Amazon http://amzn.to/2GjBcxx
                     Google Play http://bit.ly/2G4win5

Putty

Lyrics:

The fields we played in they're a housing estate, the trees we climbed have met a similar fate
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born
Our football pitch is now some tower blocks
The two screen cinema a row of charity shops
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born

Though our world it is changing for good or bad
You're the best friend, you're the best friend i've ever had

We swam in rivers now the Northbound M6, we knew of three James Bonds now there's at least six
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born
My pals at school have disappeared or worse, middle management it's a modern curse
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born

Though our world it is changing for good or bad
You're the best friend, you're the best friend i've ever had



The title track to our new band album, a sepia infused ballad for a buddy.  

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
Purchase on Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Apple Music  https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Rob Daniels - brushes & glockenspiel
Nigel Parrington - vocal & guitar
Maria Piacentini - double bass
Recorded by Mick Armistead at Space Lounge Sound, Lancaster.

Lovingly remastered for inclusion on the final Low Countries band album 'We Weathered The Storm' 

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm

For Nigel the emotional heart of the album and an obvious contender to be reused from the 2016 EP. This song took a lot of work writing and a lot out of him, it had to be wrenched out over time. All worth it as the finished song finally became one he’s most proud of.  This great recording is also the result of a lot of hard work from the band, especially Rob and Darren’s astounding drum and bass interaction and Marc’s inspired guitar part on the final bars, all expertly mixed by Mick. Always a live favourite, even played solo the song could silence a room. A song inspired by certain old Universal horror films, modern day paranoia and weird time signatures. All mixed in a filthy test tube and sprinkled with Prozac.

Rob Daniels - drums
Els D'hooge - vocals
Darren Leadsom - bass
Marc Nellis - electric guitar
Nigel Parrington - lead vocals, guitars, e-bow, piano
Recorded & engineered by Mick Armistead at Space Lounge Sound, Lancaster

The Invisible Ray [2018 Remaster]

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/close-to-my-heart

Hoor Je Mij?

Close to My Heart

Lyrics:

The setting sun, behind your back. You lost your tongue, is it love you lack?
Well turn up the stars and roll on night, the time is now, the time is right

To tell her tell her tell her, just what you feel
Tell her tell her tell her, that your love is real

She's a mountain, she's a wall, you can't get over her at all
Your finally standing face to face, now's the time, now's the place

To tell her tell her tell her, just what you feel
Tell her tell her tell her, that your love is real
Get her get her get her, before she's gone
Tell her tell her tell her, what are you on?


Track #7 from 'We Weathered The Storm' - the final band album from The Low Countries, released in May 2018

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
Apple Music https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Spotify https://spoti.fi/2wPIqpM

we weathered the storm

Tell Her

Opening song to the album 'a brown cafe at 3am' (2009).  

Lyrics: 

A brown cafe at 3am, got the twelfth-bar blues again, I drink to you, I drink to you.
So one more for the road my friend. Who knows when this road will end? So drain your cup, goodbye, good luck.

You and I can never be, living in this low country, we're two wrongs, trying to make a right.

Off my head as I watch the sun, burning through the City scum - I rub my face - of you no trace

You and I can never be, living in this low country, we're two wrongs, trying to make a right.

And on the streets, bottles roll, empty trams and empty souls, I'll make my way, home someday
It's a tribute to a certain cafe and a certain friend at a certain time of night. 
Lilting, late and heartbreaking.
Goes down  well with a chilled Duvel in a filthy glass.
Now included on 'A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits'
There's a new video to accompany my favourite song:
http://youtu.be/1jArzvOF83c

A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits

Low Country

A sweet old chestnut lovingly unearthed, dusted off and lightly roasted.
Recorded live and remixed/rejigged by Neil Manson
Part of a new four song EP available on Bandcamp, NOW!
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/bettys-boudoir-sessions-ep

Betty Manson - banjo
Neil Manson - baritone electric guitar/samples/sounds
Nigel Parrington - vocal, acoustic baritone guitar

Betty's Boudoir Sessions

Hole In My Heart (2018)

Downing wine, to kill the time, the day is young
Like a moth to a flame, you're waiting again for your time to come

Why don't they, why don't they do the things they say?
People you meet, they lie and they cheat at the end of the day

You can't get your head, round the things they said, were never so
They twist and they turn, so the more you learn, the less you know

Why don't they, why don't they, do the things they say?
People at heart, they're cold and they're dark, at the end of the day

What will it take, your heart on a plate, to find some trust?
But your face don't fit, so down you slip, towards the dusk

Why don't they, why don't they do the things they say?
All that you planned, will crumble to sand, at the end of the day, at the end of the day



Recorded towards the end of the last century in Flanders.
Nigel Parrington - guitars, vocals
Raoul Lenders - bass
Piet Pentecost - drums
Els Nicasy - piano
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/at-the-end-of-the-day-2

At the End of the Day

Songwriter-singer and vice versa with 30 years experience of writing and performing.  Collaborate? Links here https://linktr.ee/nigelparrington

All my albums (2007-2018) and a plethora of bonus tracks are now available to stream/purchase via Bandcamp https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

'indie-folk at its best...' Folk Radio UK

'They make literate, clever music that makes Belle and Sebastian look like a bunch of thugs' Popshifter

‘this is indie-folk music from the heart and I say give it a go’ Johnno Casson, Fresh On The Net

The Low Countries are an Anglo-Flemish indie-folk duo based around the songs of Nigel Parrington.  Occasionally a five-piece band depending on babysitters. https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

Nigel started writing songs during the great war (Blur won) in a remote Mental Hospital in Hertfordshire.  He escaped to London and formed The High Ones with Mark Lee (The Pocket Gods)- Nigel wrote most of their indie-pop style songs and tours of Belgium and the home counties ensued.  A double A-side single ‘Sunny Day/Northern Skies’ was a hit in Belgium and Nigel toured Studio Brussels placing their EP in random drawers, where they remain. Nigel changed his name to Niels and moved to Antwerp - The High Ones had one last gig in The Borderline after drinking several Antwerp bars dry and conversing with dEUS.
Nigel worked briefly for Warner Bros Belgium and through this contact The Low Countries were born, going on to win valuable studio time in a few swanky Flemish studios, all of which boasted that ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was recorded on their sound desk. During this ‘Flemish blue period’ Nigel soaked up Flemish sounds & smells & wrote some classic songs - witty lyrics with a rich skein of melancholy. 
Moving back to the UK in 2006 Nigel was signed to Nub Music and began releasing 7 albums over a period of 8 years. In 2014 Nigel & Els formed a 5-piece band with Rob Daniels, Darren Leadsom and Marc Nellis  - they recorded an EP in 2016 and in 2017 Marc left the band but returned for guest guitar on the band's 2018 album.
Nigel’s songs have been played on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Lancashire, Amazing Radio, Unpeeled.net, Folk Radio UK, Dandelion Radio, Beyond Radio,Studio Brussels, Radio Centraal and Sky TV. 

Some reviews:

'Blissfully wonderful music' Beehive Candy

'Like a lost track off Abbey Road' @coffeehopper (on Sun Street (2015))

'making music that makes the world a better place' @indiebandsblog

'Beautiful...'The Invisible Ray' will most likely become a lost treasure. We just hope that in a few years it's uncovered and given the respect it deserves' The Sound Of Confusion

'I'm...struggling to see how they've not found greater recognition for past works and could 'The Invisible Ray' be a seminal album?' Ralph's Life

'Parrington's son has apparently predicted that his dad's songs will be famous after he dies. Pennyblackmusic readers would be advised not to wait that long' Pennyblack Music (The Greatest Bits)

‘captivating to a fault’ Folk and Roots

‘indie-folk at its best, I love it’ Folk Radio UK

’English psyche pop folk masterpiece - syd barrett meets nick drake with glorious beatles harmonies and northern wit - album of the year’ MBop Magazine

’..The Low Countries: splendid melancholia which sounds like a North Country version of Golden Smog or Josh Rouse. Nigel Parrington is definitely onto something’ Howard Byrom, The Lancaster Guardian 4 05 07

’Really tasty stuff - a little beauty!!’ Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

‘Beautiful South meets Richard Thompson…really fine mellow tunes’ Fresh Air FM

’shades of Ryan Adams…Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris…elsewhere Tell Her could be lifted from the Beatles’ back catalogue…’ www.folking.com