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PODCAST

I Never Thought It Would Happen

Singer-songwriter Chris Difford (Squeeze) is joined by musical guests to talk about the highs and lows of their career in this new podcast from Help Musicians. Series 4 returns on Tuesday March 19th with James Blunt. Listen to our previous episodes now and find out more at www.HelpMusicians.org.uk

music music interviews

All Episodes

30:22

S5 Ep12: INTIWH - James Morrison

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/09/01

“That’s what I’ve always tried to lean into is playing live, writing the songs and playing them live, is mainly why I’m still doing it, you know? I never get tired of playing live. I never get tired of making stuff up and seeing where I can go with it” - James MorrisonChris is joined by singer-songwriter James Morrison to talk about the fine art of music making and the highs and lows that an artist experiences. James was inspired from a very early age by his parent's record collection, and soon

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27:14

S5 Ep11: INTIWH - Kelsie Watts

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/08/18

"It's a universal language, it really is. Even if you're not speaking the language... you know, you can sing these songs and it'd just be like a wave of emotion and they can relate to it, even if they can't understand the words you're saying" - Kelsie WattsWith Chris for this episode is Kelsie Watts who's currently performing in the huge award winning Broadway hit "Six The Musical" based on the wives of Henry VIII, with Kelsie playing the part of Jane Seymour. She's also pursuing a pop career,

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39:47

S5 Ep10: INTIWH - Craig Armstrong

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/08/11

"A professor of mine said a very true thing to me. He said, you know the great thing about music Craig is that you’ll never really know anything about it" - Craig ArmstrongThis episode features a fascinating conversation with the multi-genre spanning musician and composer Craig Armstrong. Craig has collaborated with huge artists like U2, Madonna and Massive Attack, toured with Ultravox in their mid-Eighties pomp and has written for The Royal Shakespeare Company and scored films like Baz Luhrmann's

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36:32

S5 Ep9: INTIWH - Amy MacDonald

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/06/09

"We all take music for granted, really. But it's kind of with us through every memorable part of our lives. And to just have it as such a meaningful occupation, but to not properly support the people that make it seems absolutely crazy" - Amy MacDonaldJoining Chris for this episode is singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald, who's fate was sealed when she saw fellow Scots Travis live for the first time - she quickly realised that this was what she wanted to do with her life! The start to her career was

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37:04

S5 Ep8: INTIWH - Victoria Canal

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/06/02

"The thing that he said that struck me most was, you don't get people's attention more by being louder... you make them want to lean in when you pull back. The moments that resonate the most are when I pull back" - Victoria CanalIn this episode of Chris' podcast, he's joined by singer-songwriter Victoria Canal. A globe-trotting childhood, with all of its upheavals and changes, led Victoria to finding in music solace and purpose. She started writing music as a pre-teen, recorded her first demo at

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36:10

S5 Ep7: INTIWH - Theodore Shapiro

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/05/26

"I have a very vivid memory of seeing 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' when I was nine and that was a very profound experience for me, because I loved the movie. I was very aware of what that music was doing to my experience..." - Theodore ShapiroIn this episode Chris explores a whole new world of music making in the company of composer Theodore Shapiro. Theodore has written music for a whole host of film and TV productions, but his incredible work on the mind-bending Apple TV series 'Severance' has

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38:34

S5 Ep6: INTIWH - ALT BLK ERA

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/05/19

“Because we write in so many genres, it’s always exciting to song write. Because today it’s like, we can write a D+B song and tomorrow we can write an Emo song. So it doesn’t get boring, because there’s always a new genre that you haven’t written in” - ALT BLK ERAIn this episode Chris is joined by not one, but two guests - sisters Nyrobi and Chaya who front ALT BLK ERA, one of the most eclectic and electric acts you'll hear; a band so diverse that they've won a MOBO and are also signed to the

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44:30

S5 Ep5: INTIWH - Gary Kemp

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/05/12

"Back when I was a kid, I didn't want to know what Bryan Ferry's kitchen looked like, you know? I couldn't even imagine him having one... People don't want that now. Why don't they want mystique?" - Gary KempIn conversation with Chris for this episode is Gary Kemp, now a solo artist and a member of Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets. It was Gary's sharp songwriting that brought him to prominence and fame in the Eighties with his band Spandau Ballet, and such huge hits as 'True' and 'Gold'. In this

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39:16

S5 Ep4: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Jade Bird

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/05/05

"I've had a pretty tumultuous upbringing... I was pretty scared about being too honest about it all." - Jade BirdChatting with Chris in this episode is British singer-songwriter Jade Bird. Experiencing a difficult home life, Jade began writing songs early, aged just 12. She was in her teens when Glassnote Records signed her, with her self-titled debut album appearing in 2019. Her second album, 'Different Kinds Of Light' followed in 20121, and after a 4 year wait, she's now about to release her

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41:09

S5 Ep3: INTIWH - Abel Selaocoe

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/04/28

"It was alien, extremely alien. And it looked alien... with the buttons. What is this machine? What is this thing?" - Abel Selaocoe, on his brother's bassoon.For this episode, Chris welcomes a South African cellist, singer and composer, who's now resident in Manchester. Inspired by all sorts of different music he heard through the radio, Abel discovered the cello as a pre-teen and at 13 won a scholarship to study music in Johannesburg. Continuing his studies, he moved to Manchester at 18 to attend

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44:21

S5 Ep2: INTIWH - Thom Rylance, The Lottery Winners

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/04/21

"I don't know who the man is that lives inside my body... but I'm so glad he turns up." - Thom Rylance.Chatting with Chris in this episode is Thom Rylance of The Lottery Winners. The indie-pop 4 piece from Greater Manchester took their cues from bands like The Smiths and Orange Juice as well as the Britpop scene and have quickly risen to the top. Such is their wide-ranging appeal they've collaborated and toured with acts as diverse as Tom Jones, Sean Ryder, Boy George, Paul Weller and Sir Stephen

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37:19

S5 Ep1: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Bryan Adams

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/04/14

"I mean, you're either a creative or you're a burglar" - Bryan Adams.Joining Chris for the first episode of his 5th series is rock superstar, and man of many talents Bryan Adams. As well as having huge global hit singles, multi-million selling albums, a number of remarkable duets and a worldwide fanbase, Bryan is also an acclaimed photographer. In this conversation you'll hear about Bryan's songwriting start with his first musical partner Jim Vallance, their work on the 'Pretty Woman' musical,

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1:51

I Never Thought It Would Happen - with Chris Difford

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2025/02/06

Chris Difford returns with Series 5 of his hit podcast 'I Never Thought It Would Happen' - coming soon! Made in collaboration with Help Musicians, Chris is celebrating his 50th anniversary in the business, so in addition to talking to some brilliant artists he will also be answering your questions about songwriting, performing, a life on the road and much more...so send your questions to Chris@helpmusicians.org.uk and find our more about the work of the charity at www.helpmusicians.org.ukJoin us

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40:30

S4 Ep13: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Fran Healy

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/06/24

For a bonus episode of his podcast, Chris welcomes Travis frontman Fran Healy. Emerging from Glasgow in the mid 90s, and now in their fourth decade together, Travis were inspirational to a number of like-minded British guitar bands like Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Keane.Travis 2nd album, 1999's 'The Man Who', was a became a huge hit globally, fuelled by the unstoppable single 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?'. And when the heavens opened as the band launched into that track at Glastonbury in 1999 the

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42:37

S4 Ep12: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Mark Knopfler

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/06/05

Joining Chris is Mark Knopfler, the revered singer-songwriter and a masterful guitar player, with a totally distinctive sound and style. Always fascinated with music, Mark worked as a junior reporter and studied English before finally realising his long held dream of finding the right band. That band was Dire Straits, whose ascent was remarkable with their 5th studio album 'Brothers In Arms' becoming a global juggernaut eventually selling over 30 million copies. But after several gruelling world

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48:27

S4 Ep11: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Alan Edwards

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/05/27

Joining Chris for this episode is legendary PR man Alan Edwards. During his 45 years working in the music industry he's worked with the likes of David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Spice Girls, Michael Jackson, The Stranglers, Blondie, Paul McCartney and Amy Winehouse.Alan began his career under the tutelage of another music PR legend, Keith Altham, whose clients included Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Beach Boys and Marc Bolan. As such, Edwards has so many amazing stories to share and is seriously

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40:48

S4 Ep10: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Guy Chambers

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/05/20

Joining Chris today is songwriter Guy Chambers, best known for his work co-writing hits like 'Millennium', 'Angels', 'Let Me Entertain You' and 'Rock DJ' with Robbie Williams. Having graduated from The Guildhall School Of Music, Guy went straight to work with Julian Cope, then joined The Waterboys before moving onto World Party. And alongside his hugely successful run of hits with Robbie, Guy has also written for and with James Blunt, Texas, Mel C, Diana Ross, Kylie, Rufus Wainright, Jamie Cullum

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40:19

S4 Ep9: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Eddi Reader

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/05/13

Chris is joined by Scottish vocalist Eddi Reader for this episode, to chat about her fascinating career in music. From busking around Europe, to singing backing vocals for artists as diverse as Gang of Four, Eurythmics and Alison Moyet to finding fame - and having a number one single - with Fairground Attraction. But the band's success was fleeting and they splintered after just one album. But Fairground Attraction have reformed to pick up from where they left off in 1989, and the two discuss the

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43:02

S4 Ep8: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Corinne...

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/05/06

Chris' guest in this episode is Leeds born singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae. Though Corinne appeared to have success straight away with her first single, 'Like A Star', she'd already been through the painful process of having her first band fall apart - the punky 3 piece Helen she'd formed with friends. But a change in musical direction - partly inspired by work at a jazz club - yielded immediate success from 2005 onwards. And Corinne's enjoyed a remarkable career including a string of hit

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37:03

S4 Ep7: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Wolfgang...

I Never Thought It Would Happen ·

2024/04/29

In this episode, Chris welcomes rapidly rising rock star Wolfgang Van Halen. Now fronting his own band, Mammoth, Wolfie made his stage debut at 16 playing bass alongside his dad Eddie and uncle Alec in the legendary rock band Van Halen. Like his dad, Wolfie started his musical journey playing drums, before also picking up the guitar and bass. For his two albums with Mammoth, Wolfie is not only the songwriter, but also sings and plays everything you hear. He's not only an outrageously talented

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