Jeff Christie on "Ordinary People," Songwriting Evolution, and Staying Inspired Across Generations

With a career spanning over five decades, Jeff Christie continues to captivate audiences with his heartfelt songwriting and timeless melodies. Known for his chart-topping hit "Yellow River," Christie’s latest single, "Ordinary People," delves into themes of resilience and unity, reflecting the struggles and dreams of everyday lives. In this exclusive interview, Christie shares the inspiration behind his new track, discusses his journey as a songwriter, and reflects on the milestones and lessons that have shaped his legendary career. From visual storytelling to societal reflection, Christie offers a compelling look into his creative process and enduring relevance in the ever-changing world of music.

Your new single "Ordinary People" touches on themes of resilience and unity. What inspired you to write this song, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?

I often start with a working title and then work laterally by adding the melody. In this case after deciding on the title I started by simply naming these ‘ordinary people’, e.g. citizens of town and country, husbands and wives etc. In just a few sentences I wanted simplistically to convey life’s journey for the many people who don’t live exotic or exciting lives and their struggles to get by in a tough and often unforgiving world. As the melodic notation and lyrical journey meandered into more complex themes, I let my imagination run to include positive scenic sequences to go with the unpredictable turn of melody to symbolise the desire to experience life enhancing scenarios like Rocky mountain vistas and blue horizons to counter the humdrum of everyday life. There’s something dreamlike how the lyric interacts with the melody at these points that I feel hopefully lifts the listener up as it did me as the song developed. I think/hope the song conveys hope albeit entwined with a dose of realism.

With over five decades in the music industry, how do you think your songwriting and storytelling have evolved since the release of “Yellow River" in 1970?

Hopefully I’ve learned a few ‘lessons’ over the years in the craft of songwriting. As the years unfolded, I’ve had the opportunity to listen and learn continually from countless sources of inspiration in the music and songwriting universe. Lyrically I learnt to be more adept in the use of metaphor, and imagery in projecting what I was thinking or feeling in a more sophisticated way as well as using the standard classic process where the lyrics are unambiguous like Moon and June lines. Melodically also, I feel there have been advances, although Yellow River melodically was unlike anything around at the time, in particular the chording which was more intricate than the average 3 or 4 chords used in most pop/rock songs of the time as I was always looking for ways to get around the limits of the 12-note western scale.

"Ordinary People" includes evocative imagery, such as “Rocky mountain vistas bathed in shadows and light.” How important is visual storytelling in your songwriting process?

Sometimes very important. It all depends on what the melody hints at and the mood I’m in when I write any given song.

Your music often reflects societal changes and universal human experiences. What do you feel is the role of a songwriter in today’s fast-changing world?

Well I guess I do, albeit often unwittingly as it very often finds ways to creep in to the process. I, like many writers, reflect what they see, hear and have feelings about into song as they go through life, even if it’s a simple love song or feelings of loss and grandiose expressions for a Utopian world even if they are unrealistic and unattainable. Songwriters are dreamers as well as cynical fatalists.

From topping charts in 26 countries with "Yellow River" to your recent Top 40 success with "One in a Million," how do you stay creatively inspired and relevant across generations?

I don’t try and force anything. I’m long past the point where I worry if I’m not regularly creatively inspired. It happens when it happens and as far as trying to stay relevant across generations, I’m always amazed and gratified when youngsters like what I do but I don’t set out to be approved by anyone except myself and my own standards of quality control. Obviously, we all want approval but it’s not what motivates me. Effectively though once I feel I’ve done a good job that’s the main thing, seconded by the hope others will also agree.

Your career has seen milestones like performing behind the Iron Curtain and winning an Ivor Novello Award. Looking back, what moments are you most proud of, and why?

Perhaps, firstly knowing that I made my father and mother and nearest loved ones proud of my achievements has always been a source of great pride for me. Having been covered by hundreds of artists across the world as well as some high-profile artists like REM, Elton John, Joe Dassin, Cliff Richard and every conceivable genre of music groups, Orchestras, Brass Bands, Peruvian Pan Pipe bands through to Cool Jazz Combos and Mariachi Bands have covered my songs too. Touring with Jimi Hendrix back in the Sixties, another high point.

You’ve written over 300 songs. How do you approach the songwriting process, and has this approach changed with time and experience?

By now it’s well over 300 but who’s counting. Basically I don’t think my approach is greatly different, just possibly a little more focused and disciplined.

As you prepare to release "Ordinary People," what message or feeling do you want listeners to take away from this song, especially in the context of the turbulent times we live in?

I love this song, if I’m allowed to say this. For its imagery, social awareness and melodic content. I always think people will identify themselves, their situations or lives if they can, which expands the appeal and hope they find something uplifting in this song, that’ll do for me.