Apr 06
BlogJustin Hayward on His Newest EP
"Both of these songs are new - recorded in January/February this year.
'One Summer Day' just sprang out of my old Martin guitar late one evening, when the world was quiet. It’s a deeply personal and emotional song for me, written in a conversational style about the unexpected events of one day in summer.
I had been playing the guitar riff for a while just for fun, without realising it could actually be a song. In the end I wrote it in a rush late one night."
A couple of weeks later, when Alberto and I were recording it, we had packed up to leave the studio after midnight - it had been a long day and Alberto was taking me back to the room where I stay in the town - we had planned to record my vocal the next morning.
I suddenly stopped in the doorway and said to Alberto “can I do it now?” He didn’t even blink, he just said “of course Jus.” So we went back in, Alberto quickly set up the vocal mic and we did a couple of takes. We both slept well that night.
When I arrived at the studio the next morning I saw Alberto in the control room listening to it. I didn’t go in, but waited until the music stopped. When I opened the control room door Alberto was silent - I said “What does it sound like?” He said “I really love it - I really love it.” I’m so glad we went back that night.”
Justin Hayward:
"I think 'My Juliette' is about childhood and theatre, from Shakespeare to pantomime (and about some other stuff I haven't worked out how to explain yet !). When I was 13 my mother played piano for a repertory theatre group in Dorset on a summer holiday from school - I played guitar for the rep company and I stayed with them until their summer season ended, after my family went back home. I was entranced and I still treasure every moment of that theatre life. I had bits of this song for years before I decided I wanted to finish or record it, because I enjoyed just playing around with it. It was one of the things I would play each time I took my guitar out of the case.
The song references Danny William’s UK version of 'Moon River' which I played over and over when I was young - I still do! It’s one of the best English recordings of the early 60's. I met Danny when I was with Marty Wilde. What a voice!"
Apr 06
BlogOne Summer Day / My Juliette
New EP Release From
Justin Hayward
One Summer Day / My Juliette
Available as of March 27th on Digital Formats via Eagle Rock Entertainment
London, UK--On March 27, legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward will release the digital-only EP One Summer Day / My Juliette. This two-track release will be available via all digital service providers.
Whether performing solo or with The Moody Blues, Justin Hayward’s songwriting is known for its thought-provoking lyrics and inventive melodies. These qualities are fully displayed in the new tracks “One Summer Day” and “My Juliette.”
“One Summer Day” is written in a conversational style, telling the story of unexpected events taking place one day in the summer. According to Justin, the song came about in an organic manner. “[It] just sprang out of my old Martin guitar late one evening...I had been playing the riff for a while just for fun, without realizing it could actually be a song.”
“My Juliette,” which references Danny Williams’ early 60s recording of “Moon River”, was inspired by Justin’s childhood fascination with the theater. His mother played piano for a repertory theater group during a summer in his childhood. He played guitar for the company, and was drawn into the artistry of the stage, from Shakespeare to pantomime. “I was entranced and I still treasure every moment of that theatre life,” Hayward continues. “I had the song for years before I was sure I wanted to actually finish or record it because I enjoyed just playing around with it.”
One Summer Day / My Juliette is available for pre-order here.
About Eagle Rock Entertainment
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the world-leading producer and distributor of music documentary and concert films. Founded in 1997, the multi-award-winning company releases over 50 productions a year and controls the distribution of over 2,000 hours of music programming. The catalogue includes work by award-winning filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Brett Morgan, Stanley Nelson, Paul Dugdale, Bob Smeaton, Jeremy Marre, Mike Figgis, Leslie Woodhead and Michael Epstein. Eagle Rock works with a wide spectrum of artists including the Rolling Stones, Eminem, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Muse, Steven Wilson, Slash, Iggy Pop, Jeff Beck, Paul McCartney, Shania Twain and Van Morrison. Eagle Rock is headquartered in London.