It’s been a hell of a November. You may have noticed that our blog was not updated for the first week of the month. We weren’t away on holidays (I wish we were!) but rather we needed a break from all social media after the horrendous US elections to stop our mental health from collapsing. The fact that Trump, a convicted criminal, rapist and fraudster is going to be a US president is truly unfathomable. What’s worse, more than 20 million people voted for him, proving that our society, especially older generations, are racist, misogynistic and toxic. I say this as a middle aged woman, member of the generation X, who is furious with my contemporaries: not only those in the US, but in Poland and in the UK that think Trump is a great candidate. I will show no mercy here: take your heads out of your asses, people, because you voted or supported a narcissistic idiot who can’t properly construct a sentence. He represents everything that’s frankly wrong with our world: greed, hate, xenophobia, lack of any morals, corruption. History will judge you accordingly as heartless bastards that instead of progress chose to dive into a dirty bin that’s on fire.
Single cover by Rose Brown
Delilah’s statement: “I wrote this song after I came home from tour following the US election after receiving hundreds of messages from my fans around the world, telling me how afraid they were for their future. I had teenage girls, queer kids, LGBTQ+, non binary people, women, worried fathers all reaching out to tell me my music gave them hope in a world that felt to be taking hundreds of steps back. Seeing a rapist elected as president as a survivor of SA, seeing the hatred in comment sections, seeing the sexism, the homophobia, the transphobia, the racism… seeing these messages of despair from my fans looking to me for comfort, it all came to the surface during my Bristol show (that’s why I used this as the cover) as I cried the entire set looking out at the beautiful crowd of diverse and passionate people in front of me. In front of me every night on tour I saw all these faces looking up at me, screaming my every word, feeling a sense of safety and belonging (which makes me emotional anyway) but during the time of the election it pushed me over the edge and made me want to combust with rage that anyone would ever, EVER want to hurt us & take away our rights. I love you Bon Bons (Delilah fans), I love you so deeply and I will fight and kick and scream for the rights of the most wonderful people on this planet – the women, the lgbtq+ and non binary. FOREVER!!! This song is for us, it’s a love song I wrote about hope and togetherness in a world that feels to be falling apart. I will never let go of your hand!”
To quote a brilliant American band Cracker and their single “I hate my generation” – I offer no apologies. Every single woman I know feels exactly the same. We are sick and tired of catcalling, sexual abuse, harassment of any shape, size and variety you can think of in every walk of life. We can’t even go out for a jog not to deal with toxic men that think they are God’s gift to humanity. We are fed up of rape culture, medieval views on our bodies, sexualization, infantilization. We want equal rights, access to free health care, respect for our trans sisters and trans brothers, minorities and vulnerable groups. We want equal division of labour, equal pay, equal access to education and be respected. Those are basic human rights. None of us wants to be billionaires, rule any countries or fly to Mars like some dickheads oligarchs – we want to live in peace, in a clear environment, in dignity and be free. One would think that it’s easy to do but nope. We have to deal with shit that should have died at least 100 years ago.
I decided to include a full statement penned by Delilah in this article that very well explains (in plain English) how progressive women and men feel after the US elections. She opened her DM’s to support others and she was flooded with messages from literally thousands of people from very part of the globe that were scared, horrified, in tears or even considered suicide. This had a massive impact on Delilah and resulted in cancelling some of her live shows and taking a few days off to mentally recover.
“Not the President” is a direct result of her reading through all those messages and feeling the pain of the most vulnerable people in our society. Delilah listened to their stories, fears and concerns and tried to put all those feelings into a song. What we are getting is a 6 minute anthem full of despair but also hope.
I consider “Not the President” to be a protest song – a protest against injustice, hatred, hostility, xenophobia and dehumanization of entire social groups such as trans people or refugees. Delilah says that people like Trump are not real presidents, they are just human beings filled with bigotry and ill will towards others. They are given positions of power, yet they disregard their social and political responsibilities. Instead of being kind, welcoming, unifying forces, they are dividing and spiteful. They radicalize people bringing the worst in others. She asks them “how can you sleep at night?” but the truth is, people like Trump don’t care about others. They serve only themselves, their greed and arrogance are poisoning the public debate, their extreme language is making it harder to have a rational dialogue. Fellow narrow minded people, authoritarian lovers and fascists enablers are flocking to their administrations starting wars, dividing families, taking away our rights and progress from us all.
Yet, there is always hope. Delilah’s greatest talent lies in noticing hope even in the darkest of times. She sings about being there for those who need her, holding their hands, spreading love, solidarity and light. And you know what? It freaking works miracles. I had a serious sobbing session (TM) listening to that track. It really punches you in the guts but it also offers a kiss on the cheek and a pat on the back. Her music is like having a bestie who is always there for you, will support you and hear you out. That’s why her songs are so popular among young people. She speaks their language, she is going through the same things they are, she fights the same battles. Delilah is also incredibly brave to stand on the stage and shout words that others only dare to think. She puts herself on the front line because she wants to fight for what she believes in. We covered many artists on our blog but Delilah is unique. I have never met anybody on our local scene that has every mark of a world wide star. Delilah not only is hard working, talented, a good composer but she is also conscious, kind and brave and unbeatable. She has been through a lot: rumours, badmouthing, jealousy, rejection – yet she keeps on coming back and reinvents herself. And every time she returns, you see a different, more powerful side of her.
“Not the President” is a ballad with emotive vocals, marching drum beat, reminding me of “Dear Mr President” by 4 Non Blondes with an influences from Smashing Pumpkins circa “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” (1995) although with a clear cut modern rock arrangement.
It’s a powerful song that probably will not get a spin from Radio 1, but will be a popular feature at her shows. Maybe a closing number to send the audience on their way with moist eyes and a solid dose of catharsis.Highly recommended for anyone who truly struggles with the crazy times we have to live in. This too, shall pass.
Whatever 2025 has in stock for us, we shall overcome.
Delilah Bon online:
https://www.delilahbon.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/delilahbonofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/DelilahBon
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5JUFYlgwsbqpLcU9TMlsve
https://twitter.com/DelilahBon_
https://soundcloud.com/delilahbon
https://www.youtube.com/c/DelilahBon
https://www.tiktok.com/@delilahbon
“Not the President” is out today (6th of December) independently as a digital, stand alone single.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 