Bishops Itchington musician creates song for the NHS

A musician in Bishops Itchington has created a song for the NHS.

Michael Groth, who used to present the TV show That’s Life with Esther Rantzen, has created the song called 'Strong Enough' to thank the NHS and to also raise money for a good cause.

He said: "I created the video because I was, like most of us, really moved by the bravery, devotion and caring of all the nurses and keyworkers battling on the frontline of the health and care services.

"To see how many were losing their lives, I felt we as a country were failing them - there was a lack of PPE and support.

"As a musician I have always had the benefit of being able to express emotion through music, and I had a recently written song which was in my view nearly perfect to express what they were going through in this crisis.

"I recorded the song in two stages - I had recorded most of the backing track a couple of months ago at home and had the melody for the song.

"The second stage was recorded up at my friends house during lockdown - I had originally planned to be up here for two weeks to care for her after a hip operation, but then lockdown happened and I have been here ever since.

"I completed the lyrics and recorded the vocals in her office.

"Her next door neighbour’s daughter Harriet Breakwell is very adept at video editing, so I asked her if she would mind listening to the song and whether she could come up with anything.

"I was really pleased with the result."

The song features different voices and switches between a patient and a nurse.

"The first verse is written from a patient’s point of view, the second from a nurse’s. The choruses and the third verse are back to the patient’s voice.

"I tried to offer a degree of hope with the line "nothing lasts forever, nothing lasts for long” and convey the need for strength from both the health workers and from the public to beat this dreadful disease."

As well as sharing his song, Michael is also raising money for the NHS with the money raised from purchases.

The money is due to go to the NHS but Michael is not sure which exact NHS charity or cause to sent it to and is inviting suggestions from readers.

He said: "I had considered putting it in to the Sun’s £1 million Coronavirus Appeal, into Colonel Tom’s walking fund, or into the research into the vaccine being worked on in Oxford.

"I would however consider any suggestions.

"So far I’ve raised nearly £300 - not quite Colonel Tom’s fund yet, but I live in hope."

To donate or buy the song go to: https://michaelgroth.bandcamp.com/track/strong-enoughTo see the song on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcn-_B9VH8&t