In addition to being a prolific composer of music for film, he has quite
a career as a songwriter. His first successes were with
Nina Simone. He
reportedly stopped by her office unannounced and asked if she would
record his songs "I Hold No Grudge" and "He Ain't Comin' Home No More"
by singing them for her A Capella. She said yes on the spot. Since
then, he has gone on to write songs for or collaborate with many
notables such as
Tim Booth,
Marianne Faithfull,
Julee Cruise, and
Dolores O'Riordan.
