Chris Difford: The Story of Trixies—and the Songs That Made Squeeze
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Chris Difford of Squeeze discusses Trixies—the remarkable concept album he and Glenn Tilbrook began writing as teenagers and finally recorded more than 50 years later—in this in-depth Pop: The History Makers interview.
Chris explains how dyslexia led him towards songwriting, how an advert in a sweet-shop window brought him together with Glenn Tilbrook, and how Maxine Barker helped hold their early friendship and creative partnership together.
He reveals the autobiographical story behind “Tempted,” what happened to the characters from “Up the Junction,” how television inspired “Cool for Cats,” and why “Some Fantastic Place” remains one of Squeeze’s most emotional songs.
Chris also talks candidly about addiction, sobriety and recovery; being an outsider and observer; the imaginary nightclub and characters behind Trixies; performing the album live; the influence of kitchen-sink drama, Bob Dylan, reggae, Motown and progressive rock; and whether completing Trixies has finally closed a creative circle for Squeeze.
Watch the complete interview to discover the experiences, relationships and real-life observations behind some of the most distinctive lyrics in British pop music.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Chris Difford—the storyteller behind Squeeze
01:09 Dyslexia and finding a language through songwriting
04:38 Being an outsider and observing people
06:47 Bob Dylan and the power of storytelling
07:45 The advert that brought Chris and Glenn together
08:48 The teenage origins of Trixies
10:10 Maxine Barker and the bond behind Squeeze
11:28 Rediscovering songs written 50 years earlier
12:32 Protecting his teenage lyrics
13:56 Inside the nightclub world of Trixies
15:15 Performing Trixies live
16:41 Kitchen-sink drama and songs as miniature plays
18:50 What happened after “Up the Junction”?
19:56 The true story behind “Tempted”
21:27 How “Cool for Cats” was written
22:23 “Some Fantastic Place” and Maxine
24:16 Sobriety, recovery and creativity
26:04 What makes Squeeze an English band?
27:42 Growing up with prog, reggae and Motown
28:51 Facilitating new songwriters
30:36 The freedom of the earliest songs
31:32 Does Trixies close the circle?
33:33 Chris Difford’s closing thoughts
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Trixies, music and official Squeeze tour information:
https://www.squeezeofficial.com/home/
Squeeze UK tour dates 2026
The following British dates are part of the Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour, with special guest Billy Bragg:
12 November — OVO Hydro, Glasgow
13 November — Opera House, Blackpool
14 November — Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
16 November — O2 City Hall, Newcastle
17 November — The Globe, Stockton
19 November — Connexin Live, Hull
20 November — First Direct Arena, Leeds
21 November — M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool2
3 November — O2 Apollo, Manchester
26 November — The O2, London
27 November — Cardiff Arena, Cardiff
28 November — Utilita Arena, Birmingham
30 November — Swansea Arena, Swansea
1 December — Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
4 December — BIC, Bournemouth
5 December — Brighton Centre, Brighton
Tickets;
https://www.squeezeofficial.com/home/
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