From Palace Street ” isn’t just a song—it’s a reflection of my soul.
This track is a tribute to the people and places that shaped me. From my childhood on Palace Street where my parents ran a fruit shop, to the laughs shared with mates like Nick and Knoxie, every lyric is a moment frozen in time.
The melody came one afternoon as I was thinking about Mum and Dad. I missed them deeply—and somehow, those feelings turned into chords on my acoustic guitar.
🎵 “From Palace Street to Petersham,
Fruit crates stacked and morning jam…”
The arrangement is soft but heartfelt—featuring acoustic guitar, gentle piano, light drums, and a touch of sax. There’s warmth in the harmonies and a nostalgic ache in the verses.
💬 Why I Wrote It
After going through personal changes—career highs, divorce, and new love with Lea—I wanted to write something real. A song that my sons, Stephen and Alexander, could listen to and feel the life their dad lived. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine.
Lyrics
I was born in '59, in a place called Palace Street
Above a little fruit shop, where life was simple, sweet
Mum and Dad, they worked so hard, and love was all around
The smell of fruit, the city sounds — my roots there in the ground
St Mells in Campsie shaped the boy I used to be
And Richard, my big brother, was the hero I could see
Though time and life have kept us far, I think of him today
And wonder if he knows how much I miss him in this way
From Palace Street to real estate, I rode the highs and lows
Through love and loss, I paid the cost — but that’s the way life goes
Now here I am, with Lea by my side, and peace within my soul
With Stephen and Alex and all of my friends — this heart has found its home
Julie’s gentle voice is gone, and John’s strong hands are too
But every day I see them both in everything I do
Alexander's married now, and Stephen’s got his spark
And in their eyes I find the light when days are feeling dark
We laughed with Nick, and Knoxie too
With Gowing and Boogie, the old and the new
The journey's long, but love's still loud
And I can finally say I'm proud
From Palace Street to real estate, I rode the highs and lows
Through love and loss, I paid the cost — but that’s the way life goes
Now here I am, with Lea by my side, and peace within my soul
With Stephen and Alex and all of my friends — this heart has found its home
So raise a glass to days gone by, to every twist and turn
To lessons lived and bridges crossed, and all I had to learn
From Palace Street to now — I wouldn’t change a thing
This is my song, this is my life — and oh, how good it’s been