In the wake of the deaths of Blessing Olusegun in Bexhill and Sarah Everard in London, a powerful fundraising postpunk special number for Women’s Aid by a who’s who of indie musicians including Brix Smith. “Until every woman is safe to walk on every street …” Unwanted attention, being followed, fear of attack and worse are what millions of women experience every day. Walking without fear is a fundamental human right. Women’s Aid also works towards helping those who have suffered domestic abuse.
The song was written by Loud Women’s founder, Cassie Fox, with a spoken word/rap section written and performed by Brix Smith, best known for the Fall and her band The Extricated. The many artists involved include Deb Googe from My Bloody Valentine on bass, Charley Stone from Salad and many other bands on lead guitar, Jen Macro who among others has played with Graham Coxon, My Bloody Valentine, Robyn Hitchcock, on rhythm guitar, and Stevie B of T-Bitch on drums. They are joined, in a huge online collaborative operation, by 64-strong cast of singers variously soloing or harmonising:
Abby Werth, Amber of Hadda Be, Angela Martin of Bugeye, Bec Jevons of IDestroy, Brix Smith, Caroline Gilchrist of Hot Sauce Pony, Cassie Fox, Charley Stone, Debbie Googe, Debbie Smith, Dungareen Jean, Elis Sarv from Noise Noir, Ella Patenall of Naz & Ella, Emily Eagle of The Pukes, Emma Sky of Slut Magic, Erika Severyns, Estella Adeyeri of Big Joanie, Gail Something-Else of Muddy Summers & the Dirty Field Whores, Gemma Cullingford of Sink Ya Teeth, Georgie Willsher of Beverley Kills, Gilan, Harriet Doveton, Helen McCookerybook, Holly Carter of Berries, Jade Ellins, Janey Starling, Jen Macro, Jo Bevan, Joyce Raskin, Julie Riley of I Am HER, Karen of Hagar the Womb, Kat Five of Feral Five, Kel of The Empty Page, Kelly Chard, Kimmi Watson, Kristina Stazaker, Lee Friese-Greene, Lilith Ai, Liz Hayward of Ode to Sleep, Lorna Tiefholz of Rabies Babies, Marijne van der Vlugt, Michelle Marti of Girls Rock Indiana, Minni Moody, MIRI, Molly Energi, Nadia Javed, Ngaire Ruth, Nicki Mirage of Brazen Hussy/KNM, Patsy Stevenson, Paul Maps – Joyzine, Penfriend, Priya, Ren Aldridge of Petrol Girls, Ros Cairney of Deux Furieuses, Roshi Nasehi, Rowanna Chown, Sam McCann of Gender Chores, Shona MacMillan, Siân Alex of Gold Baby, Siobhan Fahey Siobhan (Bananarama, Shakespears Sister) Stevie B of T-Bitch, Suteki Hegg, The Pukes, and Umbilica.
To donate to the charity, either visit the Loud Women page here and/or buy the track via the Bandcamp page, which is also embedded below.
From the age of 13
I've known the fear of dark streets
I've known my body's danger
Can he hear my heart beat?
Every woman's got a story
Breaks silence with a whisper
Daring to tell her truth
Calling to her sisters
Text me you when get home
Keys between your fingers
Staying close to streetlights
Fear of shadows lingers
Till every woman's safe from harm in her own home
Till every woman's safe to live her truth
Till every woman's safe to walk on every street
Ooo-aah
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Ooo-aah
From the age of 13
Been told that it is my fault
Blamed for male violence
Better watch where I walk
We have a right to safety
She was just walking home
Too many women share a story
You are not alone
Text me you when get home
Keys between your fingers
Staying close to streetlights
Fear of shadows lingers
Till every woman's safe from harm in her own home
Till every woman's safe to live her truth
Till every woman's safe to walk on every street
Ooo-aah
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Ooo-aah
Born out of fear
Marinated in rage
It only takes desire
To implement a change
Shine a universal light
To illuminate the dark
Where one brave woman took a walk across the park
Together we come to make a stand
With empathy, love and courage in hand
The power of the people
When all of us are equal
It's our God-given right that we should feel safe
Ooo-aah
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Reclaim these streets! (Reclaim these streets)
Ooo-aah
Text me when you get home…
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