Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Steele won second prize with composition ‘Squeeze My Hand’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.
Steele, from Centre for Young Musicians London says: "I wrote ‘Squeeze My Hand’ after my dad passed away last July. It’s about the moment just after a loved one has died, and the painful, inconceivable reality that the person you loved is gone forever and has left you behind. Deep down, you know that no amount of wishing will bring them back, but it doesn't change the fact that you would give anything for a few more minutes with them...
I’m playing the piano and singing the vocals in this recording and I digitally added some strings on Garageband. When someone is very ill like my dad was, squeezing your hand is the only way they can let you know that they hear you and, when they don't squeeze back, you know they've really gone. My grief was very raw at the time I wrote this song, and the lyrics allowed me to come to terms with my loss. It’s a song which I think many people who have suffered bereavement will relate to, and I hope that it can be a comfort to them and help them to deal with their own feelings."
The category judge for Songwriting was Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter.
Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists
Steele won second prize with composition ‘Squeeze My Hand’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.
Steele, from Centre for Young Musicians London says: "I wrote ‘Squeeze My Hand’ after my dad passed away last July. It’s about the moment just after a loved one has died, and the painful, inconceivable reality that the person you loved is gone forever and has left you behind. Deep down, you know that no amount of wishing will bring them back, but it doesn't change the fact that you would give anything for a few more minutes with them...
I’m playing the piano and singing the vocals in this recording and I digitally added some strings on Garageband. When someone is very ill like my dad was, squeezing your hand is the only way they can let you know that they hear you and, when they don't squeeze back, you know they've really gone. My grief was very raw at the time I wrote this song, and the lyrics allowed me to come to terms with my loss. It’s a song which I think many people who have suffered bereavement will relate to, and I hope that it can be a comfort to them and help them to deal with their own feelings."
The category judge for Songwriting was Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter.
Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists
