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SOUL MUSIC: SERIES 32 - 4. MAY YOU NEVER (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 19th April 2025
"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 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 Cozens, keyboard player and Musical Director in John Martyn's band from 1990-2009;
Blythe Pepino, Kit Hawes, Pete Josef and Sam Brookes from The John Martyn Project.
With thanks to Kit Hawes and Spencer Cozens for the instrumental recordings.
JOHN MARTYN AT THE BBC (320kbs-m4a/138mb/60mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st February 2024
John Martyn in session and concert recordings for the BBC.
John Martyn - Devil Got My Woman (The Old Grey Whistle Test, 23 May 1973)
John Martyn - Inside (Radio 1 Sounds Of The 70s Session, 23 May 1973)
John Martyn - The Message (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 7 Jan 1975)
John Martyn - My Baby Girl (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 7 Jan 1975)
John Martyn - Spencer The Rover (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 7 Jan 1975)
John Martyn - Certain Surprise/Couldn't Love You More (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 18 Jan 1977)
John Martyn - Over The Hill (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 18 Jan 1977)
John Martyn - May You Never (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 18 Jan 1977)
John Martyn - You Can Discover (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 7 Jan 1975)
John Martyn - One Day Without You (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 18 Jan 1977)
John Martyn - Make No Mistake
John Martyn - The Cure
John Martyn - Big Muff (Radio 1 In Concert, 11 Apr 1981)
CLASSIC SCOTTISH ALBUMS: JOHN MARTYN - SOLID AIR (320kbs-m4a/60mb/26mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 1st May 2018
Davie Scott reveals the stories behind classic Scottish albums.
In this episode, first broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in 2006, Davie selects John Martyn's Solid Air. Released in 1973, The Glasgow-raised singer / songwriter's distinctive vocal style and stunning guitar playing combine to pay homage to friendship, love and life.
John Martyn - Over The Hill
John Martyn - Solid Air
John Martyn - I'd Rather Be The Devil
John Martyn - May You Never
John Martyn - May You Never (Live on The Old Grey Whistle Test)
John Martyn - The Easy Blues
John Martyn - Go Down Easy
John Martyn - Dreams By The Sea
