'Hand Me Down', started life a few years ago whilst Kate Rusby was rehearsing for the Jo Whiley Show on BBC Radio 2. Jo asks her live music guests to perform songs of their own plus any cover version of their choice, and Kate's choice at that time was Oasis' 'Don't Go Away'; on her second visit to the show she chose by 'Friday I'm in Love' by The Cure. 'As a folk singer, it's what I do, re-interpret existing songs, but usually the songs are much, much older. After playing a version of Oasis' 'Don't Go Away' on the BBC Radio 2 Jo Whiley show, about 5 years ago, it dawned on me that not just the very old songs are handed down through the generations, but also favourite songs of any age, of any generation. Songs are precious for many different reasons. With 'Don't Go Away' proving so popular on the last album and hearing the reaction when we performed it on tour, I decided, 'Right, that's it! I am doing a whole album of covers.'