For ten years I'd wanted to write and share a positive outlook song about my story… about how our family discovered new ways to communicate and connect with mum as we all learned to live with her over ten years of living with Alzheimers. 

My song has now been downloaded in 15 countries across 6 continents from Hawaii to France to New Zealand, generating valuable donations to support those looking for a cure to this ever growing condition.

You can make a donation on this page, find out more about my story and the band at www.stilljustyou.com and stream the song to enjoy or share on Apple Music and Spotify here:

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/still-just-you/1545092170

https://open.spotify.com/track/0VLDW9Ur4E7tABRXNtXV0r

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Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity. We believe that medical research can and will deliver life-changing preventions, treatments and one day, a cure for dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to make this happen and with your support, we’ll make life-changing breakthroughs possible.

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As a songwriter and musician, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazingly talented people. 

Growing up with Rob Harris (Guitarist - Jamiroquai, Katy Perry, Robbie Williams), and knowing he was also going through the same challenges with his own mum's diagnosis of dementia, I was super excited when he offered to help me shape the sound of this song with both acoustic and electric guitars.. 

Working with Mo Pleasure (Bass/Keyboards/Trumpet - Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire) and discovering his 92 year old mother is also living with dementia, I knew he was the man to lay down the bass. A real honour to have Mo on the team. 

My nephew, Ben Hoy had to be the first choice to front the song as lead vocalist. He delivered the touching and personal lyrics based on his own experiences with my mum and his Nanna. Only 15 years old when he recorded the song, Ben is now a professional goalkeeper for Chelthenham FC and continues to wow his fans by singing whenever he has an audience.

Lee Russell (Multi-instrumentalist and Producer - Kate Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Paul Carrack) has an incredible ear and tenacity for mixing and mastering the perfect sound in every song. His kind support for the project and to raise money for charity was shown in many long nights of polishing the song to absolute perfection.

I hope my message will resonate with more families and help them feel a little inspiration that when they spend time with their loved one living with dementia, and perhaps connect back with them, smile and say it’s “Still Just You”.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

STILL JUST YOU - Written by Stephen Hoy (C)(P)2020

There’s a monster, in your shadow, it steals you piece by piece
It lets you be yourself sometimes, only peaceful if you sleep
You don’t understand what’s happening, can’t explain the way you feel
You struggle to find the words you need, with frustration you can’t conceal

But you and I, we’re connected
No reason to say goodbye
We’ll laugh and sing together
I’ll decode your lullaby

You’re still just you
My always sunny afternoon
Sometimes you’re not who I see, but I’ll always believe
You’re still just you

I find some crumpled boxes, don’t know what these things were for
You kept my childhood possessions, but can’t share the memories any more
I wonder what you think today when I show you where I’ve been
Is it a place you wanted to go, or somewhere you’ve already seen?

Cos you and I, we’re connected
No reason to say goodbye
We’ll smile and dance together
You can sing your lullaby

You’re still just you
My always sunny afternoon
Sometimes you’re not who I see, but I’ll always believe
You’re still just you
Yeah you’re still just you
You wanna say it, but don’t know how to
I see you trying so hard the words fall apart
But you’re still just you

Memories forgotten and memories made
Remembering summer sunshine, sipping home-made lemonade
For you the clock sits still. For me it’s running away
The distance growing nearer
But we’re connected just the same

Because you’re still just you
My always sunny afternoon
Sometimes you’re not who I see, but I’ll always believe
You’re still just you
You’re still just you
Want to say it, but don’t know how to
I see you trying so hard the words fall apart
I know you’re still just you
You’re still just you

And I still love you