Freddie from Grahame Park

Lyrics

[Intro] Freddie, Colindale Grahame Park raised me [Verse 1] I grew up where the lifts broke down for weeks Mum counted coins while the kettle wouldn’t speak Grahame Park, cold hallways, doors with dents Every neighbour knew the pressure, every pound was spent School shirt clean but the soles were coming loose Learned early every promise had a price to prove Sirens through the curtains, arguments next door I was young, but I could feel what the silence was for [Pre-Chorus] No silver spoon, just a hand-me-down coat And a head full of plans I was scared to promote They saw the postcode, thought they knew my name But I carried more than blame [Chorus] I’m Freddie from the estate, still standing tall Came up through the hard times, didn’t let them take it all Colindale in my blood, every brick knows my face I was raised in the rough, but I won’t stay in that place They can talk about the struggle, they can point at the gate I turned every closed door into fuel for the weight From the flats to the future, I’m reclaiming my name Freddie from Grahame Park, I survived the rain [Verse 2] We shared one room when the winter found a way in Mum kept her worries folded underneath her patience Friends chased quick money, I understood why When the fridge looked empty and the rent ran high I saw good hearts harden from the pressure they were under Saw a small mistake turn a whole life into numbers So I kept my eyes open, kept my temper on a chain Tried to make a clean exit without acting like I changed [Pre-Chorus] I know the sound of a cupboard closing light So nobody hears there’s no dinner for tonight I know the pride that makes you say you’re okay While you’re breaking in a quiet way [Chorus] I’m Freddie from the estate, still standing tall Came up through the hard times, didn’t let them take it all Colindale in my blood, every brick knows my face I was raised in the rough, but I won’t stay in that place They can talk about the struggle, they can point at the gate I turned every closed door into fuel for the weight From the flats to the future, I’m reclaiming my name Freddie from Grahame Park, I survived the rain [Bridge] To the kid on the landing with his fists held tight You’re not the trouble they wrote down that night Your home may be rough, but your heart isn’t ruined Every mile from the block is a choice you’re pursuing And if I go far, I’ll remember the view The people, the pain, and the things we lived through Not ashamed of the place that taught me to fight I’m carrying the truth into something bright [Final Chorus] I’m Freddie from the estate, still standing tall Came up through the hard times, didn’t let them take it all Colindale in my blood, every brick knows my face I was raised in the rough, but I won’t stay in that place They can talk about the struggle, they can point at the gate I turned every closed door into fuel for the weight From the flats to the future, I’m reclaiming my name Freddie from Grahame Park, remember the name [Outro] Grahame Park raised me, but it doesn’t define me Colindale behind me, still living inside me Freddie, still here Still building