What floats my boat is ordinary people, and their daily little acts of heroism as they strive to achieve a normal life. The little moments, not the grandiose gestures. The individual fights, not the big battles. To give you an idea of songs that I wish I had written but some bugger went and did it before me and better than me: "Lies" by Stan Rogers ranks high; "Father Christmas down Hounslow High Street" by Robb Johnson. It gives you an idea.

So generally I look around me for things happening, or dredge up memories.

My latest is called "Dance of the old men"; it is a memory from when I was about 10 years old and holidaying with relatives in some Greek village. It's the annual village fete - everyone trudging up the hill to the church, and after service setting up an enormous picnic. Music and dancing until everyone is tired. And then, a dozen old men from the village get up and do a slow, stately, proud dance that had everyone looking at them with pride - "these are OUR old men". I remember promising myself that one day I will do the same. I am well on my way towards the required age limit ;-)

I find tunes easier than picking the right subject. But in any case, a cardinal rule I have devised for myself is:

Write the songs that you would love to listen to, if someone else had written them.