“Written by Labi Siffre himself back in 1984. The song was inspired by a TV documentary on Apartheid South Africa seen by Siffre, in which white soldiers were filmed shooting at black civilians in the street. The song was also influenced by his experience as a homosexual child, adolescent and adult. Siffre originally intended to give the song to another artist to sing, but could find no one suitable and was convinced to release it himself. The song has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre’s lyrics and poetry. It won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically", and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker's film against female genital mutilation: Warrior Marks.”

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