Willow

Album: Show Some Emotion (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joan Armatrading explained in the book I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters and Their Craft: "'Willow' I wrote in West Palm Beach. At that point, I was somewhere in my life, both literally and metaphorically - geographically and emotionally - that I didn't particularly want to be. I was in my hotel room one afternoon and outside my window there was this willow tree. At the time it seemed to be the one constant thing in my life, the willow tree. So, it's sort of a love song for the tree."
  • "Willow" was the first single from Armatrading's fourth album, Show Some Emotion. She was getting a lot of positive press around this time and became known for her songcraft.

Comments: 1

  • Maureen Colleran Battey from Santa Barbara, CaliforniaI have been in love with Joan Armatrading since 1979. Her albums were played throughout my college years, and I was fortunate to see her several times at the Santa Barbara County bowl when I was a student at UCSB. The freedom I felt dancing on the grass in front of the stage with Joan Armatrading being only yards away from me Allowed me to find deep in myself a message. Me myself and I. To be myself and to love myself. I’ve carried that message throughout my life and have tried to teach that to the twins I raised. Only once you love yourself can you love others freely . Thank you Joan Armatrading for this important message in my formative years .
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."