Jehnny Beth discusses her favourite David Bowie cover
Jehnny Beth began her journey into the spotlight as the frontwoman of the post-punk band Savages, where her distinctive vocals and commanding stage persona garnered attention and acclaim. Savages emerged in the early 2010s, captivating audiences with their visceral performances and intense, incisive music.
Although Beth’s vocals served as a powerful conduit for the band’s sound, it wasn’t just within Savages that her talent shone. Her solo ventures further showcased her versatility and willingness to explore new artistic avenues. In 2020, she released her debut solo album, To Love Is to Live, a daring exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and personal revelations.
Being a natural perfectionist is no easy feat when discussing her influences. During an interview delving into her musical favourites, Beth struggled to create a list that best accurately reflects her tastes. As she explained: “I was trying to make a selection that would show diversity,” she told The Line of Best Fit. “I listen to quite a wide range of music, like a lot of people nowadays, and I think that’s important.”
Discussing Beth’s decisions isn’t merely about cataloguing significant life events; rather, it delves into broader concepts. Her music traverses themes that probe into self-exploration, the concept of artistic integrity, and even the profundity of mortality. These themes are threaded together by an ethos that serves as a driving force behind her creativity.
As a pioneer herself, therefore, it comes as no surprise that Beth found great inspiration in the late David Bowie. “I remember when Bowie died,” she recalled, “I was in L.A. at the time and it was the middle of the night at 4 or 5am. I was listening to his music in bed and I was crying.”
When discussing songs that she carries with her, she mentions ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ from the singer’s Blackstar album. However, Beth is particularly drawn to the Nine Inch Nails version: “This version of ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ is a remix by Trent Reznor,” she says, “and in my humble opinion it’s one of those rare occasions where the remix is better than the original. I hadn’t heard it before but a friend sent it to me and I was blown away; it’s absolutely heart-breaking and extremely well done.”
Adding: “Blackstar is one of those records that has been so important to me over the past few years. In that time there’s probably been three records like that and strangely enough, they’ve been written about, or surrounded by, the idea of death. There’s Blackstar, You Want it Darker by Leonard Cohen and Skeleton Tree by Nick Cave.”
