About this episode
This episode explores the enduring legacy of John Martyn's song 'May You Never' and features insights from various guests connected to his life and music.
"May you never lay your head down without a hand to hold / May you never make your bed out in the cold." A perfect folk song of brotherly affection, with simply voice and guitar, John's Martyn's May You Never has captured listeners' hearts since 1971. John Martyn was born in Surrey in 1948 and grew up in Glasgow. Part of the potent London folk scene in the late 60s early 70s, John's style evolved from these folk roots. Written in his early 20s, the enduring version of May You Never was recorded in one take in the early hours of recording his beloved 1973 album, Solid Air. The lyrics encapsulate something of the essence of John Martyn: sweet, joyful and affectionate, yet with a hint of danger ("And may you never lose your temper / If you get in a bar room fight"). John's life was beset by substance abuse and addiction and he died in 2009, age 60. May You Never, perhaps his most famous song, is remembered by those whose lives became entwined with the song, and by others who knew John or have covered it. Featuring: Michael Volpe, Executive Director of If Opera; Lauren Bensted, a writer based in London; Graeme Thomson, author of Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn; Spencer…
People in this episode
Guests: Michael Volpe, Lauren Bensted, Graeme Thomson, Spencer Cozens, Blythe Pepino, Kit Hawes, Pete Josef, Sam Brookes
Topics covered
- folk music
- brotherly affection
- John Martyn
- music history
- substance abuse
- songwriting
Keywords
- John Martyn
- May You Never
- folk music
- Solid Air
- music history
- brotherly affection
- substance abuse
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: If Opera
Books & works: May You Never, Solid Air
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