To immediately listen to this month's Top Five Songs, please Click Here
Nick Hinton’s “Watch The World Go By” Named November “Best
Song Of The Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Nick Hinton, a promising, pop singer/songwriter based in
London, England, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of The Month”
Contest for November, with his song “Watch The World Go By.” This song is one
of eleven cuts featured on his upcoming, independent CD release, Raw As The
Day, which is due out in January 2004.
Nick Hinton
“Watch The World Go By” is a graceful pop ballad, which
features an appealing, memorable melody, that is reminiscent of classic songs a
la the Beatles and the Bee Gees. This song also provides an excellent showcase
for Hinton’s musicianship and production skills. Hinton impressively sang all
the vocal parts, played all of the instruments (including an elegant string
arrangement), and capably produced this recording in his home studio.
Hinton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and he grew up
mostly in London (with a few years in Liverpool). “I started to play piano when
I was nine, and acoustic guitar when I around 12,” recalled Hinton. “My parents
were great lovers of classic pop music, such as the Beatles, Elton John and
Carole King. I also loved the music from this era. I got the Beatles Complete
songbook, and I learned all the chords. Then I started writing songs on
acoustic guitar in my early teens.”
Hinton later attended a university in London, where he
formed a band called Kicking Sand, and further developed his writing and
recording skills. “I bought myself a cheap microphone and mixer,” explained
Hinton, “and I started recording my songs in my tiny student room. I would
record layer after layer, to create the demos. Then after university, I set up
a studio in a flat in London, with a PC and some software.”
Nick Hinton
It was in 2001 that Hinton began writing “Watch The World Go
By. He was inspired to write this song following the tragic events of 9/11. “I
was completely influenced by the events of 9/11,” said Hinton. “I wrote the song from the point of view of someone
who had lost somebody that day, who didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to
their loved one. It ended up taking a long time to finish writing and recording
the song, but I’m pleased with how the song has turned out.”
Hinton is now finishing work on his debut album, Raw As
The Day. He also occasionally takes time out of the studio, to perform live
in smaller, acoustic clubs in London. “This album is the culmination of years
of writing and recording,” explained Hinton. “It’s been a challenge and goal to
create this album, and I’m excited to finally have an opportunity to present
the album in its completed form.”
Here are the Top Five Songs which were submitted for this month's contest, with the songwriter credits, plus their e-mail and website links. To hear the songs, please click on "Listen To Song".
"Best Song Of The Month" Winner
"Watch The World Go By". Written & performed by Nick Hinton, London, England.