Double Ivor Novello Award-winning lyricist and enigma Chris Difford has brought us characters and sketches from everyday life, turning the mundane into the beautiful, the urbane into the exquisite, for over thirty years. With his partner, collaborator, friend and Squeeze co-founder Glenn Tilbrook, Chris has written some of the most enduring and best-loved songs of our time. “Up The Junction”, “Cool For Cats”, “Labelled With Love” and “Tempted”, to name but a few.  Chris has 16 Squeeze albums, three critically acclaimed solo albums, countless top 20 hits, 52 American tours, 50 UK tours and a variety of global tours under his belt. He is one of the country’s most respected songwriters and has co-written with a host of musicians and performers that reads like a veritable who’s who of the industry – Elton John, Trilok Gurtu, Marti Pellow, Lamont Dozier, Willie Mitchell, Bryan Ferry, Jools Holland, Paul Carrack, Chris Braide and Sarah Brightman.

Above, he chats with John Mitchinson at last year’s Port Eliot Festival, and below, answers our Idler Q&A.

1. Are you happy?

 Most of the time I’m feeling happy.

2.  What are you reading at the moment? 

Lyrics from when I was 18 years old.

3.  What was your worst job?

 Folding cardboard in a factory.

4.  How many hours do you work each day?

I’m not too sure; many and few.

5.  Town mouse or country mouse?

I like the country and passing through the town.

6.  Does love bring happiness or misery?

 Love is many things, it seems like both.

7.  Mp3 or vinyl; real or ebook?

MP3 and real books.

8.  What are your three greatest pleasures?

Food, sleep and writing.

9.  Do you believe in the nap?

Always a nap!

10. What advice do you have for young people?  

Don’t grow old, seek love in all things because these days won’t come back.