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  • The Big Issue

    Joan Armatrading

    Jul 05, 2021 5 minutes

    Iwasn’t thinking of hopes, dreams and aspirations at 16. But I was already very, very much into writing songs. Since the age of 14, writing was the be all and end all for me. I didn’t buy records, I didn’t go to gigs, I didn’t follow pop stars – I don’t really have heroes. I have people I admire and think are exceptionally clever and remarkable but not heroes. I certainly didn’t have any at the age of 16. I was young and just enjoying life in Birmingham. I didn’t really have anything to complain about and, best of all, I could write my songs.

    At my first performance [aged 16] all I was thinking about was making it through the performance. I never intended to be a performer. What I wanted to be was just a songwriter. But in order for people

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