Advertisement
News

Join in as The Big Issue takes on Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé in Christmas No 1 race

Musician Phil Ryan has launched his bid to be top of the pops with self-penned single Walking Down This Lonely Street and we want you to join in!

Shane Richie has chucked his Stetson into the ring, Jason Manford has entered the fray – now it’s The Big Issue’s turn to join the race for Christmas No 1 and we want your help!

Phil Ryan, who worked with Big Issue founder Lord John Bird 26 years ago to launch the magazine, has released self-penned single Walking Down This Lonely Street with the hope of securing festive glory – and supporting vulnerably housed or homeless people over the winter.

The song addresses the loneliness and mental isolation that many people face on the streets, particularly as the Christmas festivities move into full swing and comes complete with original music video.

And though mega-stars Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé may have just unveiled their Perfect team-up, Phil’s tune has already got the backing of the Big Issue vendors. The single is available now on all major music online stores, including the iTunes and Google Play stores, priced at just 99p with all proceeds going to The Big Issue Company to support their work in dismantling poverty.

Now we’re asking you, Big Issue readers to share your own version of the song – we’ve even given you the chords and lyrics to help you along. Make sure to share your efforts with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Walking down this lonely street

C#m

Got my story /Got me a name/Yes I’ve fallen/Maybe I’m to

B7                                     C#m                                           A F#m

Blame/But just cos I’m low now/That won’t always be/Cos

E                                                     B7

someone like you can stop me walking down this lonely

E

street

Chorus

A               E           B7                   E

You could buy me a coffee/You can say hello/Talk about the

A                         E              B7

weather buy a paper/Then on you go/ I don’t want

C#m                                                        A                       F#m

something for nothing/cos you can see that I ain’t beat/You

E                                                      B7

know someone like you can stop me walking down this lonely

E

street

Once I was loved yeah/Once I was wild/I had me a family/I was their child/And I got dreams just like you/For when our eyes meet/ you know someone like you can stop me walking down this lonely street

Mid 8

F#m              G#m         A                     F#m                             G#m

I just want a place to lay my head/A place where I feel safe

A             B7

and loved and fed/like everyone/like everyone

Chorus and outro

F#m                          G#m                         A                  B7

Someone like you/Someone like me/Someone like us stop me walking down

E

lonely street – this lonely street (rpt and out)

Ryan, who has toured with The Animals in the past, said: “I was lucky enough to be part of the original team who set The Big Issue up 26 years ago. I later returned back to music. A few months back my friend John Bird asked me to write a song to let people know about the most important people at The Big Issue. The vendors.

“So I wrote this song to tell their story and to help The Big Issue raise money to help them continue their life journey. The best description of the song was when Bill, one of the vendors, heard me play it and said I’d just described his life. No higher praise is possible.”

Lord Bird added: “Phil is a very good friend of mine, he’s been there from the start when we founded the magazine back in 1991.

“I call on all music fans and anyone who wants to support the people we all see out on the streets in the freezing cold to buy the single and help us to offer these people the hand up that they need to make their way out of poverty.”

Advertisement

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

Read All
Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on
social care/ abbie bowler
Social care

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned
Employment

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue