Today Damian Lewis turns 54! Happy Birthday Damian, from the Fan Fun with Damian Lewis Team and all the fandom around the world! Every January the Team begins contemplating what we can do differently to celebrate Damian’s birthday in February and year after year we strive to be creative and unique. In 2022 we baked and decorated 51 Birthday Cakes, in 2023 we mixed 52 Celebratory Cocktails, and in 2024 we dedicated 53 songs to him by other artists. We’ve been bakers, we’ve been mixologists and now it’s time to re-enter the DJ booth, lay down some tracks and scratch out those beats on the deck. With the release of his debut album Mission Creep and recent UK tour part II, what better way to continue that music theme than to celebrate Damian’s 54th birthday with our favorite Damian Lewis songs! This idea came to us from our friends on RSJ Fan World, the lovely ladies who do exactly what we do, but for Damian’s good friend and Band of Brothers co-star Richard J. Speight, Jr. Thank you, Rain and Beth!
We planned, conspired and mobilized the fandom in the back channels of Twitter, Instagram or Facebook DM’s, as well as e-mail, to accomplish this secret project. With our idea set in motion the goal remained the same…to bring a smile to Damian’s face. The task was simple: choose your favorite Damian Lewis song, whether off his debut album Mission Creep or a new song from his highly anticipated second album that he’s been playing for audiences at his recent gigs. In fact, he’s introduced 9 new songs at those gigs by our count!
Fans picked their favorite Damian Lewis song with a virtual message to the birthday boy and now we’re sharing the playlist with all of you.
TRACKLIST WE CHOSE FROM:
Mission Creep Side A:
1. Down on the Bowery
2. Soho Tango
3. Hole in My Roof
4. Harvest Moon
5. My Little One
6. She Comes
Mission Creep Side B:
1. After Midnight
2. Zaragoza
3. Never Judge a Man By His Umbrella
4. Wanna Grow Old in Paris
5. Makin’ Plans
6. Why?
Bonus Track: Such a Night
New Songs From Recent Gigs/Upcoming Album:
1. Pentonville Prison
2. Question Mark
3. Love Bomb
4. Suck My Blood
5. She Makin’ Me Change
6. Traffic Jam
7. Grey at the Temple
8. A Man Named Sal
9. Naughty
Read along with us as we share photos/videos of each favorite song, the DJ’s name and location, and reason for choosing the particular song. And can I just say that we are in awe of the fans’ creativity and generosity. Some participants have put a lot of work into this and we are so moved.
Oh, and there is a surprise at the very end waiting for you. On behalf of the entire Fan Fun with Damian Lewis Team, we want to thank all those who participated.
Welcome back to Fan Fun AM-FM, a virtual radio station. Hey DJ, play that Damian Lewis song!
Favorite Song: She Comes
DJ’s Name: Damianista
DJ’s Location: Durham, North Carolina – USA
My Favorite Song Because: As Damian has repeatedly said Mission Creep is not a grief album. Yet, thanks to the songs being based on Damian’s life experiences and the particular time he wrote them, several songs on the album are about the great late Helen McCrory. And from the Elvis-y ‘Little One’ to the beautiful ballad ‘Wanna Grow Old in Paris,’ I love them all. But ‘She Comes’ is the one that has stood out for me since the first time I heard it at Damian’s first ever gig at Omeara London.
It turns out ‘She Comes’ is the first song Damian wrote. As he reflects on the process of writing the song, he shares:
“’She Comes’ is the first song I wrote for my debut album, so that makes it…my first song (that I’ve shared with the world, at any rate…). It’s about ghosts, and one ghost in particular. The album has hybrid sounds all through it but this song leans heavily on a folk set up before crescendo-ing with a jazz feel brought by my brilliant band.”
I am in love with the jazz feel in ‘She Comes’ that Damian talks about. But more than anything I am in awe of the amazing poet that Damian is. The lyrics are so personal, so poignant, so powerful. It gives me chills. And I do not think longing for a loved one who passed could be told more beautifully or more honestly.
“She’s the bag on the floorShe’s the hat on a hookShe’s never really badBut she isn’t always good
And her lip curls and unfurlsLike the leaves in a bookShe’s a no she’s a yesShe’s anybody’s guessShe’s the click of a heelAn abandoned dressShe drove me insaneBut she’s lodged in my brain I confess”
I love it that the song is not idealizing Helen but gives her to us as a human being who is not always good and could sometimes drive you insane, but ultimately a woman that Damian deeply, deeply loves. It cannot get more real than this. Music is a vehicle, a truly amazing one at that, through which one can communicate their raw, intimate, and deep feelings. And I think Damian does exactly that in ‘She Comes.’
Here is the ‘She Comes’ music video shot at Master Shipwright’s Palace in Deptford, London, and directed by Nick Murphy who also directed Damian in A Spy Among Friends. Damian says what they hoped to convey in the video is the feeling of an abandoned house and the ghost of the woman who once lived there. Her friends are gathering at her place to celebrate her.
Happy Birthday, Damian. Thank you for the music. And, oh, I still think “The Most Overqualified Stalker” would make a good song title 🙂
Favorite Song: Never Judge a Man By His Umbrella
DJ’s Name: Gingersnap
DJ’s Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma – USA
My Favorite Song Because: One of my favorite Damian Lewis songs is ‘Never Judge a Man By His Umbrella.’ This jazzy groove has a jaunty, boogie-woogie blues upbeat sound and is inspired by the shenanigans and portrayal of secret agent Nicholas Elliott from Damian’s espionage mini-series A Spy Among Friends. During a guest appearance on BBC Radio WM, host Dax Hale told Damian “Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella has gotta be the song title of the year, by the way.”
This number has a mischievous quality, full of character and an all-around fun time. It is the one song Damian will sometimes play keyboards on during live gigs or dance with an umbrella 🙂 The lyrics crack me up “…says good-bye to the poochie first” and Damian’s campy pitch change on the word ‘six’ when he sings “says he loves her and he’ll be home by six” is everything.
In an interview with Weekend Magazine Damian said, “I’m not saying I’m the funniest man in the world – but I would struggle to write an album that was entirely devoid of the occasional sideways wink.” 😉 Here are some of my favorite lyrics from the song:
“He wears a suit and nice tie (Damian kills in a suit)
Takes breakfast with his nice wife
Puts a hat on to go to work (Damian is a frequent hat wearer)
Says good-bye to the poochie first (Damian’s dog Petra)
Turns around and blows a kiss
Says he loves her and he’ll be home by six”“He goes to the cricket (Damian plays/watches cricket, too)
His knowledge is prolific
Marmalade to start his day (very English)
The Times of London and he’s on his way”“He’ll kiss all your children but he’ll be kissing your wife! (traitor/cheater)
Never judge a man by his umbrella…”
This song is all about treachery and deceit. Take a listen below:
Have a very happy 54th birthday, Damian! May you be surrounded by family and friends and when you go out tonight to celebrate, and don’t forget your wellies and brolly.
Favorite Song: Lady Trader
DJ’s Name: She Comes
DJ’s Location: Long Island, New York – USA
My Favorite Song Because: I dedicate ‘She Comes’ as Damian’s birthday song. I chose the live version, as I really feel live music is the only real way to experience the song and the singer’s true emotions. One of the reasons I really love this song is because it beautifully captures the emotions of losing someone that is truly loved and that has made an imprint on both Damian’s heart and life. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and you can feel the love and the loss. The melody is soothing, yet melancholic, providing a sense of comfort and solace. This song not only honors the memory of Helen, but also helps in the healing process by allowing listeners to reflect on the wonderful, powerful woman that Helen was. It serves as a reminder that while the pain of loss is profound, the love and memories shared with those you lose continues to live on.
Favorite Song: Holliedazzle
DJ’s Name: Zaragoza
DJ’s Location: St. Paul, Minnesota – USA
My Favorite Song Because: Fans of the blog will know why ‘Zaragoza’ is my fave – I perform to this song! I love hearing it echo across venues across the Twin Cities and always have folks asking me “who sings that?” Happy Birthday, tall one! Can’t wait for the new album so I can choose my next act <3 Here is a video of me performing to ‘Zaragoza’ last month!
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Lewisto
DJ’s Location: Durham, North Carolina – USA
My Favorite Song Because: A very, really a very, fun song to listen to. Great lyrics, great beat and super uplifting and nostalgic sound. It becomes more meaningful once one realizes that it was written after a lost beloved one.
Favorite Song: Pentonville Prison
DJ’s Name: m.lyn50
DJ’s Location: Kansas City, Kansas – USA
My Favorite Song Because: But for a helmet and an angel, we might not be celebrating Damian’s 54th birthday. I thought it fitting to choose the tuneful narrative ‘Pentonville Prison,’ his song about a near-fatal accident on a rainy night in London in 1998, as the perfect song to celebrate the big day. Following his appearance in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Barbican Theatre, Damian hopped on his motorcycle and headed home, or perhaps to his girlfriend’s place. As fate would have it, he never made it to his destination. Peering through the rain, near Pentonville Prison, he saw a taxi ahead but continued his route, not realizing the cabbie hadn’t seen him. The driver pulled out just as the two vehicles were about to meet. His bike hit the cab’s bumper, propelling him into the air and ultimately into the vehicle’s windshield, shattering it. He sings about this near tragedy in ‘Pentonville Prison’:
“I lay face down
Split crown
Half drowned in the rain
An angel held my hand
A helmet held my brain.”
Hitting a windshield forcefully enough to break a windshield could have been disfiguring, permanently brain-damaging, or likely even fatal. Damian’s good sense in wearing a full-face helmet prevented those fates, at least up to the point of impact. Good that he wasn’t one of those young men who threw caution to the wind and rode unprotected.
Yet there was another obstacle to a full recovery. Lying in the rain unconscious face down was a bad position to be in, but for an angel by his side. The song’s lyrics may have described an imagined angel or a heavenly one. I’m inclined to think it more likely was the male nurse who by chance was a passenger in the cab and attended him immediately following the accident. For those who believe in angels, it probably doesn’t matter because angels come in many forms, don’t they?
Thanks to a sturdy helmet and the care of an angel, Damian has spent many years since that night creating unforgettable characters through his extraordinary acting. More recently, he’s shared his considerable musical talent with fans through song compositions and performances. We celebrate this on February 11th.
Favorite Song: Burning Love
DJ’s Name: Connie
DJ’s Location: New Jersey – USA
My Favorite Song Because: When Elvis Presley burst on the music scene in the 1950’s, I was a teenager. I preferred his ballads as opposed to the faster pieces he sang. There were a few exceptions to this, ‘Burning Love’ was one of them, although it came out much later. Therefore, I enjoy Damian’s karaoke rendition for the ICAP Charity Day about 10 years ago. He did a great job with it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAMIAN !!
Favorite Song: Suck My Blood
DJ’s Name: Debbie Perdott @Debbiep11
DJ’s Location: Oakdale, Pennsylvania – USA
My Favorite Song Because: Happy Birthday, Damian! The song I chose was ‘Suck My Blood’ from The Radleys movie because of its unique lyrics and spooky sound. It’s like nothing I’ve heard before. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with us.
Favorite Song: Hole in My Roof
DJ’s Name: Lourdes @la_loulu
DJ’s Location: Cañete-Peru
My Favorite Song Because: I think that one of the greatest compliments that I could give to a song is adding it to my Writing Playlist. It’s a playlist I use to focus but also chill when I’m writing an article or an essay. Writing it’s one of the most important elements of my life, so the music that participates in that process, it’s also very important to me. ‘Hole in My Roof’ was totally made for that playlist and that’s why it is my favorite song from Damian. It’s reflective, cool and romantic and with Damian’s voice it’s an absolute delight. I´m just so thankful to Damian for this song because I already envision myself writing a lot while listening ‘Hole in My Roof,’ and being a part of my life for a long time. Happy Birthday, Damian and thank you for the music!
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Vicky (Dark Horse)
DJ’s Location: Leicester, England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: My choice is ‘My Little One’ from Mission Creep. I love the rock-n-roll feel. It talks to my Elvis and Buddy Holly tastes – and who can ignore the incredible subject of the song? The lyrics are a perfect way to celebrate the memory of Helen, in an uplifting song I can imagine her dancing to.
Favorite Song: Wanna Grow Old in Paris
DJ’s Name: Eleanor O’Brien
DJ’s Location: West Babylon, New York – USA
My Favorite Song Because: Love this song. It’s so romantic and brings me back to my days in Paris. Damian captures the feel and sense of romance all around the Paris experience. Thank you, Damian.
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Darlene
DJ’s Location: Cary, North Carolina by way of New York – USA
My Favorite Song Because: This was a hard one for me! I love Damian’s new material but inevitably it’s the song I always “bopped” to the hardest when I saw him live several times in the past 2 years! And Damian doesn’t disappoint. If you are fortunate to meet him after his concert, maybe you can become part of these shenanigans as we were! Happy 54th Damian! You are catching up to me!
Favorite Song: Pentonville Prison
DJ’s Name: Monique
DJ’s Location: Landgraaf – The Netherlands
My Favorite Song Because: I got the email for the contribution for Damian’s birthday and I loved the idea of everyone choosing his/her favorite song by Damian. Although all of his music is fantastic, I have an absolute favorite. My favorite Damian song is a song that hasn’t been released yet. It’s going to be on the much anticipated next album. That song is ‘Pentonville Prison.’ The first time I heard the song was the first time Damian played it in a gig. It was in the beautiful venue Union Chapel.
The song was called ‘Fate,’ but later Damian changed it to ‘Pentonville Prison.’ The song is about an accident Damian had when he was driving home one evening on his motorbike and was thrown into the windshield of a mini cab. The accident happened on Caledonian Road, near Pentonville prison. An off duty male nurse who sat in the mini cab provided first aid. Thankfully it all ended well.
I loved the song from the very first time I heard it. You sometimes have that with a song, you like it right away and you can listen to it a million times and still like it. It is about an accident so it’s not a happy song, but a story of the events of that accident. He made a beautiful song about a terrible event. I really like the music and the change in pace right to the chorus is brilliant. I don’t know all the lyrics (can’t wait to read them on the album), because I’m somehow not able to figure them all out. So I’m impatiently waiting for the next album to be released so I can listen to it and read the lyrics instead of listening to my own recording from a gig.
Because the song hasn’t been released yet, I had no sign to take the photo with, so I did a little arts and crafts work. It’s a photo of Pentonville prison, a street sign of Caledonian road and one of many photo’s I took from Damian during gigs.
Happy birthday to you Damian, I hope you have a wonderful day!
Favorite Song: Love Bomb
DJ’s Name: Tsvete
DJ’s Location: London, England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: I’ve been one of the lucky ones who have heard new songs live and it’s not only my favourite of Damian’s songs, but my favourite rock song. Although it’s genre it’s not only rock. Anyway, I’m here to share a different thing. This is how it goes:
A quite aggressive base guitar starts.
Me: -”It puts me on my toes -there will be rock!”
The verse starts.
“I’m in the middle of a battleground.”
A New wave synthesizer plays three tones.
“It’s a gazzling sound that seems to come out of my chest.”
The verse goes on.
“My cells start to shiver. Am I frightened?”
The synthesizer goes on.
“I’ve been blinded. I realise I’ve been deadly trapped in an intangible ground.”
The chorus starts.
“Oh my God, here goes the backing vocal!”
The backing vocal hits a third above.
“Giddiness.”
Then it goes fifth (I hope these are the corect intervals cuz’ I’m musically illiterate and I grasp it intuitively).
“I’m dead.”
A guitar solo plays over my dead body.
P.S. I desperately want to say a word about Damian’s voice but I can’t, I’m dead. I can’t die twice…
Favorite Song: Naughty
DJ’s Name: Brigitte Vasseur
DJ’s Location: Megève French Alps – France
My Favorite Song Because: Last year at Boisdale of Canary Wharf! Fantastic show, front row fan, and electric night! My favorite song of this performance gig was probably ‘Naughty.’ Maybe because I listened to the video below at least a hundred times, singing the chorus “…naughty, naughty, naughty.” Happy Birthday Damian, and release this new album bon sang!
Favorite Song: Never Judge a Man By His Umbrella
DJ’s Name: Mel (MsMelDoe)
DJ’s Location: Hamburg, Germany
My Favorite Song Because: ‘Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella’ is the kind of song that grabs you instantly – its uptempo beat and infectious energy make it a highlight, especially live. But beyond the groove, I love the story behind it – inspired by the book and TV series, it weaves a tale of deception and hidden identities, proving that things aren’t always what they seem. The combination of a catchy rhythm and compelling storytelling makes this song a standout to me.
Favorite Song: Down on the Bowery
DJ’s Name: Marina
DJ’s Location: Italy
My Favorite Song Because: Because where there is love, there is light and where Damian is, there is the energy of love and light that he always transmits to us.
Favorite Song: Makin’ Plans
DJ’s Name: Vincent
DJ’s Location: The Netherlands
My Favorite Song Because: ‘Makin’ Plans’ resonates with me because it’s about plans falling apart – something I experienced a lot last year. Despite that, the song also conveys the idea that setbacks shouldn’t stop you from pursuing what you want. Sometimes, you just need a different path to get there. That’s why this song is my favorite at the moment.
Favorite Song: She Comes
DJ’s Name: Natalya
DJ’s Location: Northwest England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: Damian, I asked this guy to play one of your songs. The bloke came up with ‘Soho Tango’ – his favorite. Your popularity stretches up to the Highlands and above! I thought some laughter could do you some good. I like ‘Soho Tango.’ Who couldn’t? Especially at 3:00 in the morning, but casting the above joke aside, my real favorite song is the unforgettable ‘She Comes.’ The song gets me every time by its sustained, deep memories emerging from powerful lyrics and a beautiful, raw vocal. Happiest of birthdays to you, Damian. Keep dazzling us with your exceptional talent and arresting personality.
Favorite Song: Makin’ Plans
DJ’s Name: Jennifer Morales @jnniix
DJ’s Location: Iquique, Chile – South America
My Favorite Song Because: I picked ‘Makin’ Plans’ live version. I believe it’s so much fun to perform. I just wish I could see it live one day. I’ve never been to a gig, so I got a bit creative with my photo 🙂
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Geri Dotson
DJ’s Location: Asheville, North Carolina – USA and Bridlington, England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: My song choice is ‘My Little One.’ This song brings back wonderful memories of riding in my Land Rover, listening to Mission Creep again and again during my granddaughter’s summer holiday here in England. It’s lovely that an 18-year-old loves this CD so much. Her special wish was to be able to see Damian in person. It took some doing to pull it off, but I was able to make that happen. I took her to his gig at Pub in the Park in London (we live only 5.5 hours away). Seeing Damian was a total SURPRISE. She was over the moon! He was so lovely and kind enough to write something on her ticket and took a photo with her. Isn’t this such a lovely photo? I’ve been to Damian’s gigs in Milton Keynes, Norwich, and Pub in the Park. I can hardly wait for the next tour. Happy Birthday!
Favorite Song: She Comes
DJ’s Name: Christine Wilson
DJ’s Location: Northern Ireland – UK
My Favorite Song Because: I like ‘She Comes.’ I know it’s sad and about Helen, but this is my favorite song. Happy Birthday, Damian! From me and Brownie 🙂
Favorite Song: Wanna Grow Old in Paris
DJ’s Name: Katalin
DJ’s Location: Antibes, France (ex Budapest)
My Favorite Song Because: I always get really emotionally when I listen to ‘Wanna Grow Old in Paris’ – I know where it is coming from. Heartbreaking, touching and hopeful at the same time. I have a similar dream…I am on the way to achieve it. Listening to this song give me a lot of strength to make it so. Thank you, Damian! I wish you a very Happy Birthday from the bottom of my heart! <3
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Hannah Pavletich
DJ’s Location: Queensland – Australia
My Favorite Song Because: The title of the song I have picked for Damian is ‘My Little One,’ live version. The reason I picked this song is because I believe it is dedicated to Damian’s late wife, Helen McCrory. They really loved each other and it’s a beautiful song. Happy Birthday, Damian!
Favorite Song: Down on the Bowery
DJ’s Name: Cheryl Friesz
DJ’s Location: Bolivar, Missouri – USA
My Favorite Song Because: How do I select just one song? It’s just about impossible! Of the cover songs from Mission Creep, ‘After Midnight’ is incredible. Clapton and Cale recordings don’t even compare. While Damian’s covers are fantastic, I love his originals. Here is one of my favorites:
“Curl you tongue around mine
Let our limbs intertwine
Climb up me like a vine
Start me laughin,’ stop me cryin’
Took a taxi to the moon
Found you waiting in a hotel room”
That is just pure sexy and we all need sexy in our lives 🙂 Happy Birthday, Damian!
Favorite Song: Harvest Moon
DJ’s Name: Petra
DJ’s Location: England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: Happy Birthday, Damian! The first time I heard you perform was at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on 1 May 2023. I’d gone to see Tony Hadley, but saw your name on the billing and was intrigued to hear your music. I really loved it on first hearing it, which is quite unusual for me!! The song that stuck with me the most from that day (though they were all great :)), was your cover of ‘Harvest Moon’ and it’s that song that I’d like to dedicate to you on your 54th birthday. I saw you on the station on the way back to London, but was too shy to ask for a selfie 😉 However, when I saw you for your album signing just over a month later at Rough Trade East, I made sure that I got the selfie that I missed in Cheltenham 🙂 I didn’t get a chance to see you perform last year, but hope to see you the next time you tour!! Wishing you a fun-filled birthday. Love of love, Petra. xx
Favorite Song: Zaragoza
DJ’s Name: Tiffany
DJ’s Location: New Jersey – USA
My Favorite Song Because: The first thing that struck me as I listened to his music was how incredibly soulful it was. Like every project Damian chooses, it was clear he put his whole heart into it. Listening to Damian’s body of work, I realized how difficult it was to choose just one song because it is Damian and his passion for whatever he is working on comes through. I had the privilege of sitting about 10 feet away from him at Times Talks while he reviewed his acting body of work. I was immediately mesmerized by his talent, professionalism and ability – his ability to take the viewer with him on his character’s journey. Whether it is his acting or music, Damian transports you to another place and another time. For a moment everything else is gone, except for his art. When listening to ‘Zaragoza,’ I wondered if there was Led Zeppelin influence. It felt like music from the 1960’s with a modern day energy. Soulful, again, is what I keep coming back to.
Favorite Song: Suck My Blood
DJ’s Name: Nicky aka MechanicGurl04
DJ’s Location: Boston, Massachusetts – USA
My Favorite Song Because: I like Damian’s song from the film The Radleys called ‘Suck My Blood.’ It’s a great song, has a great beat and I enjoy vampires and the supernatural stuff 🙂
Favorite Song: Werewolves of London
DJ’s Name: Bamm
DJ’s Location: Thailand
My Favorite Song Because: ‘Werewolves of London’ is one of my favourite songs Damian has covered. I first heard it at the 2022 gig at the Tabernacle (even before the original!!!). I feel like the lyrics, thematics and the howls throughout the song really suits his voice. It’s even more fitting now that he’s played a vampire in The Radleys. And I hope it makes a comeback later at some point, as it is very iconic and distinctive!
Favorite Song: My Little One
DJ’s Name: Nastasia
DJ’s Location: Germany
My Favorite Song Because: My favorite song is of course, ‘My Little One.’ The song grabbed me from the first note. Every time it makes me believe that I know the person “my little one” myself. The song describes a special person with exactly the little things that make up a character and what you see when you look at another person with a lot of love. It’s wonderful and touches me every time. Especially in November 2022 when I was able to see Damian perform the song live at Tabernacle in London. It was simply magical and we fans were very inspired when we could listen and watch him up close in the front row. I will forever associate this song with that evening. It has been something very special to me ever since. Thank you for that, Damian! And Happy Birthday! <3
Favorite Song: She Comes
DJ’s Name: Anabel Stark
DJ’s Location: Marchena, Sevilla – Spain
My Favorite Song Because: From the first time I heard ‘She Comes,’ I knew it was one of those songs that will stay with me forever. Although I’m more a heavy metal fan, I also have my sentimental side. Damian creates an atmosphere of intimacy and melancholy that surrounds you from the first chord. What I like most, besides his voice, is the poetry, the metaphors that surround each verse of the song. It is a melancholic song full of love to one of the great women in his life, going through his life with the indelible mark of love on the path they traveled together. Even though it is a musically simple song, it feels powerful, gaining in intensity as the verses progress and the instruments join the melody, until a powerful ending, where Damian stops containing the emotion in his voice, and together with the lament of the sax, manages to give me goosebumps. I love ‘She Comes’ because, without being explicit, it conveys the feelings of love, loss and nostalgia with great beauty. Although everyone can interpret it as they wish, for me it will always be a song to the indelible memory of a great love. Asi que, un año más, como decimos por aquí: ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Damian!
Favorite Song: Hole in My Roof
DJ’s Name: Robson Cardinali (X – @robscard)
DJ’s Location: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais – Brazil
My Favorite Song Because: Last year was pretty special for me in relation to Damian Lewis because I actually planned a whole vacation to England just to see him play at Latitude Festival! The trip was great, and the show was amazing. And actually, as a call-back to last year’s Damian birthday celebration, on my trip I got to see him play and the band Idles!! That was the band I chose to dedicate here last year, which made it even more special for me. Latitude as a whole was great, but I’ll never forget Damian’s show. I got to see him play live and even better…I got to meet him in person! I got an autograph and even an “Obrigado” in Portuguese! It was really amazing! To dedicate and celebrate Damian’s birthday, I’ll choose my favorite song from Mission Creep ‘Hole in My Roof’ that I got to hear live, and even recorded a little bit of it. I love Damian’s vocal and the lyrics for this one, since the first time I heard this song; it felt really tender and special. So, I wish Damian a very happy birthday! I wish you all the best in the world and hope you keep having fun and playing more songs for us! I couldn’t ask for more, but please keep releasing new albums and, well… maybe, come to Brazil!! =D
Favorite Song: Down on the Bowery
DJ’s Name: Natalie
DJ’s Location: England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: Happy Birthday! My cat decided to join in the festivities, too. Says it all, really. ‘Down of the Bowery’ is my favorite song from the album. It reminds me of Rough Trades gig that was such a good night and such a good atmosphere. It was lovely meeting everybody and have a lovely Birthday, Damian.
Favorite Song: Wanna Grow Old in Paris
DJ’s Name: Katy
DJ’s Location: Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England – UK
My Favorite Song Because: ‘Wanna Grow Old in Paris’ has to be my favourite Damian Lewis song. Such a soul stirring and heart rendingly beautiful tribute to dear, beautiful Helen, and literally makes you drift away to thoughts of strolling along the River Seine. <3
Take a listen to Damian’s discography below:
Mr. Music Man’s Birthday Cake and Card
On behalf of all you fans that participated, we sent Damian a birthday card, along with a birthday cake he can eat and share with loved ones in London.
The scrumptious red velvet cake was made by Cakes by Robin. On top of the 8″ round cake is a sugar model in the likeness of Damian as twins Peter and Will Radley in honor of his song ‘Suck My Blood’ from the soundtrack of his recent vampire dark comedy The Radleys. With lots of blood splatter and bites marks, this is a cake he can definitely sink his teeth into!
Damian took to Instagram to thank you, the fans, for the cake and gave our team a shoutout:
We would like to thank Cakes by Robin for their amazing talent and exemplary service!! They were a pleasure to work with again.
Thank you to all the fans who participated in our little birthday project this year. Without you, it would not have been possible. All of you are so talented and creative.
Best wishes from all of us DJs of Fan Fun AM-FM Radio, Damian!
And in case you were curious to visualize where all the fans are from, here is your personalized song map. We received song submissions from all over the world!
Song Stats by Location:
13 countries
5 continents
North America USA
Kansas – 1
Massachusetts – 1
Minnesota – 1
Missouri – 1
New Jersey – 2
New York – 2
North Carolina – 3
Oklahoma – 1
Pennsylvania – 1
Europe UK
England – 6
Northern Ireland – 1
Europe
France – 2
Germany – 2
Italy – 1
Netherlands – 2
Spain – 1
South America
Brazil – 1
Chile – 1
Peru – 1
Australia
Australia – 1
Asia
Thailand – 1
We did it! Another project for the books.
Well done ladies (and several gents)! Thank you for all your work enabling the rest of us to join in Damian’s birthday celebration.
That was from Connie.
Thank you so much, Connie! It’s always a pleasure to put together virtual birthday party for Damian! Thanks so much for taking the time to participate.