Neil Gits Tied In Knots

Traditionally, I have always been a good sleeper, more often than not getting a good solid seven hours worth at Old Gits HQ, disturbed only by the radio alarm clock at a time of my choice. There was, understandably, a lengthy period around five years ago when I was constantly waking up sweating and in a state of panic at all hours of the night, but since taking early retirement in December 2021 normal service has been resumed in the bedroom … until this summer !

The ‘panic situation’ wasn’t there but obviously with some seriously hot weather across July & August, ‘sweating’ definitely was an issue, despite reducing my bedwear and regularly kicking the duvet onto the floor. Having got used to sleeping in less clothing and made-up with my discarded duvet, bringing it back into play as the weather got cooler, something wasn’t quite right and on numerous occasions I found myself awake in the wee small hours of the morning, sometimes as early as 7am or even worse at 6.30am !! I am not a morning person by any means …

I even tried switching my mattress around to see if that helped, but it seemed to make things worse, so I switched it back again after a few weeks. Thankfully with a slight further drop in temperatures as Autumn arrived, I was able to resume my full tried & trusted sleeping attire – old T-shirt, sweatshirt and track bottoms or maybe some lighter pyjama bottoms that I normally only wear as ‘long johns’ for extra cold days at football ! I do like a few layers at night-time…

And so it was that undisturbed sleep returned – except that when I woke up, I found myself all of a tangle with the PJ bottoms rolled right up my legs and the scruffy t-shirts (which admittedly do have some quite large holes in them !) almost strangling me. I don’t know what it is that I do in my sleep, but whatever it is, thankfully I do it for a full seven hours again now and don’t wake up until a much more acceptable time for an Old Git …

I like to think that whether it is groovy or chilled-out, the music I play on my show makes you feel nicely relaxed – without sending you to sleep ! Take a look at last week’s selection of soul, jazz-funk & disco and see if it would suit your mood for two hours on a Monday …

The Tunes – Monday 6th October 2025

Brass Construction – Movin’
Chuck Brown & Soul Searchers – We Need Some Money
Benjamin Race ft Andy Abraham – Everything That You Do
B B & Q Band – Imagination
Curtis Hairston – The Morning After
Ashford & Simpson – Send It
O’Jays – You & Me
Jones Girls – Baby Don’t Go Yet
Muscle Shoals Horns – More Than Ever Now
Fatback – I Found Lovin’
Krystol – After The Dance Is Through
Breakfast Band – L.A. 14
Natalie Cole – This Will Be
Drifters – There Goes My First Love
Trammps – Hold Back The Night
Incognito – 1975
Chris Crain ft Tasha Nicole – Never Meant To Fall
Michael Jackson – We’ve Got A Good Thing Going
TMF – New Again
Goldie Alexander – Spend My Life With You
George McCrae – Rock Your Baby
Dave & Maurissa -By Love’s Design

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock, across South Essex on DAB and available nationally via the Radio Player on your TV as well as online via www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !