PENELOPE ANTENA Has JOHN MARTYN Back to Stay, covered
Penelope Antena – Beamorose LP is available for pre-order/pre-save at Bandcamp, Youngbloods Music.
by Walter Price
When you’ve loved a song your entire life, there’s an extra amount of care and reverence given when you decide to pay homage with a cover version of your very own. And French singer-songwriter Penelope Antena has recentöy released a delicate remake of John Martyn’s 1967 deep cut “Back to Stay” that will reach deep into your soul. And the weight of the song’s history in her own life really comes through as the vocalist pays close attention as the sentiment and syllables ooze from her delivery.
In a quote provided to the GTC, Antena speaks about the rooted inspiration, “Back to Stay” is a song I felt inspired to cover because John Martyn is a hero of mine. It’s a compelling story, and dear to my heart, as I’ve been listening to it with my parents since I was a little girl.”
Although I’ve been around and lived the life I said I loved
You know without you honey, all I do is worth nothing
And girlie, don’t cry for me
Although there might be other people in my life
Honey, on my mind, you will always find there’s only you
And though you say you’ll journey to some foreign land
I’ll remember you, yes, and I’ll be true to your memory…
She continues, “I like the idea of growing up into a different person, but still feeling the same love for someone – a lover, child, or friend.” And this quote is more relevant than ever. Over the past 18 months or so, people all over the world have had to reassess what life, love, and future really mean and this new version of “Back to Stay” feels like a soundtrack for revitalization.
And to add more personal depth to this redux, the family found-footage music video is a heart-of-gold exclamation mark on this already stunning track. In another quote, Antena explains the making of, “The music video was shot two summers ago by my then 11-year-old daughter in Brittany (located in Northern France). I decided to use this homemade footage because it reflected a pre-covid time, when everything was simpler, when we could still kiss and hug each other, pure carelessness…this is made even more obvious captured through the eyes of a child.”
“Back to Stay” is taken from the forthcoming ‘Beamorose’ LP, expected to be released on August 31, 2021, via Youngbloods Music. You can stream the single and see the love-filled film, now at the GTC.
PENELOPE ANTENA Back to Stay
Artist photo/quotes courtesy of P. Antena
Produced & engineered by Penelope Antena
Mastered by Falco Van Weerd
Written by John Martyn and featuring Joshua Piper (piano) and Jeremy Ylvisaker (guitar)
Cover photographs and concept by Penelope Antena
Layout and design by Nicholas Concklin
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“I took a more ‘naked’ approach to my music with this gentle ballad, in which my voice takes centre stage alongside pianist Joshua Piper and guitarist Jeremy Ylvisake (John Prine, Bruce Hornsby, and Bon Iver).” – P. Antena