Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May has teamed up with Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, to produce a powerful video set to her poem ‘Home’. The partnership was formed in association with Musicians Against Homelessness.
Famed for her prowess as a wordsmith, ‘Home’ sees the singer dissect her own experiences with characteristic sincerity. It deals with the theme of love and relates it to the idea that without a home it is very difficult to feel safe and secure. The song has been set to visuals representing the kinds of people Crisis supports every day to rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good. This includes helping people find a home and settle in, acquire new skills and find a job, and helping with health and wellbeing.
The video shows them in various stages on their journey and illustrates the value of having a home.
Imelda was inspired to work with Crisis after witnessing much homelessness in her hometown of Dublin, as well as in the UK where she now lives. Some of the stories of people she has met have moved her deeply, especially women who have fled home due to domestic violence and other issues.
She has always tried to engage with people who have been forced to live on the street and encourages her young daughter to do the same. She has also helped at Crisis Christmas centres where she sang with guests.
The video supports Crisis’s new Home For All campaign that aims to ensure everyone who has been temporarily housed during the coronavirus outbreak has a secure and permanent home. It also looks to protect people who are made newly homeless as a result of the pandemic.
Imelda says, “Having a home provides a safety that most of us take for granted. Especially since lockdown, we realise that it’s what we need to survive. It allows us to work, play, cook, feed our families, entertain, relax, and so much more. It is hard to imagine not having the basic protection of four walls and a roof.
I have often been so broke that I’ve struggled to pay my rent. There was a real fear that I might not be able to make ends meet, but I have been fortunate enough that I have never ended up without a home. It’s time we all come together and support those who are struggling, especially at this difficult time.”
Crisis’ Chief Executive Jon Sparkes says, “Having a safe place to live is an essential human need – and in times like these it couldn’t be more important. Imelda’s beautiful poems illustrate this perfectly and we are so grateful to her for working with us to help end homelessness for good.
Although it has been a difficult time for everyone, we have been truly heartened by the generosity of people like Imelda who want to contribute to ensure people remain safe beyond the pandemic.”
More information about the Home For All campaign can be found here
‘Home’ is taken from Imelda’s recently released, critically acclaimed poetry EP ‘Slip of the Tongue’, out now on Decca Records.
About Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. We help people directly out of homelessness, and campaign for the social changes needed to solve it altogether. We know that together we can end homelessness.
About Musicians against Homelessness
Musicians Against Homelessness is the brainchild of support worker Emma Rule, a Crisis at Christmas volunteer who works at Jimmy’s shelter in Cambridge; Creation Records founder and Oasis guru Alan McGee is its patron.
About Imelda May
Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, Imelda has become one of Ireland’s most famed female artists in history. Discovered by Jools Holland, who asked Imelda to support him on tour, Imelda has gone on to perform alongside artists including Lou Reed, Smokey Robinson, Jeff Beck and Jack Savoretti and has recently featured on Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum and music icon Ronnie Wood’s albums & live shows.
Imelda’s last album, 2017’s ‘Life Love Flesh Blood’, landed at No.5 in the UK Official Album Chart and she can count such artists as Bob Dylan and Bono amongst her fans. Last year, her 2008 album ‘Love Tattoo’ was named the bestselling album of all-time by a homegrown female Irish artist by the Official Charts Company.
