Mary Garnett Edwards spins a deadly tale of star-crossed love with a Golden Eyed Boy in her new single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
In country lyrics, a happy-ever-after ending is more exception than norm. North Vancouver singer Garnett Edwards follows that tradition with a dark, tragic roots tale that packs a punch lyrically and musically. Accompanied by a who’s who of supporting musicians, Garnett Edwards spins a story that is simultaneously haunting, harrowing and heartfelt.
“Golden Eyed Boy is a little bit of fiction with a small bit of my life all wrapped up together,” she says of the single from her forthcoming Madhouse release. “For me, writing songs like Golden Eyed Boy is like writing a mini book. I imagine all kinds of characters and scenarios inside my mind’s eye and write down what it is I feel. That’s how Golden Eyed Boy was born.”
A tale of prostitution, retribution and life on the gritty side of the tracks, Golden Eyed Boy features Garnett Edwards, 67, whose raspy delivery recalls a country Kim Carnes. Methodical and moody, the single comes to life thanks to producer Andreas Schuld’s gorgeous guitar work. Meanwhile, drummer Pat Steward, bassist Norm Fisher, keyboardist Darryl Havers, dobro wizard Chas Williams and backing vocalist Gord Maxwell — who have played with everyone from Bryan Adams and Jann Arden to Nanci Griffith and Bros. Landreth — flesh out the rootsy murder ballad as it moves inexorably to its chilling conclusion.
“He looked upon her beauty
In a room dark and grey
Her sweet lips were smiling
Made him feel lonely in every way
When he dressed to go on home
And looked to where she lay
He went and sat beside her
And asked to take her away.”
Produced by Juno winner Schuld (Kenny Wayne, Long John Baldry), the song exemplifies his creative partnership with Garnett Edwards. “I can start the words to a song like Golden Eyed Boy and bring it to Andreas and he just knows what to do with it,” she says. “He will shuffle or write more words and add music to it. There’s chemistry there, and because of that, we have written quite a few songs.”
The video for Golden Eyed Boy, created and directed by Jennesia Pedri and cinematographer Dale Shippam, is set in a brothel, with Garnett Edwards singing while the narrative plays out, just as Garnett Edwards imagined it. “I loved writing songs as a child,” Garnett Edwards says. “I was a very good fabricator imagining characters and scenes coming to life. It was easy to make up little worlds to escape. Golden Eyed Boy never would’ve come to life unless I had gone to that place mentally.”
Born in Edmonton, Garnett Edwards released her debut album White Lightning at age 63. And there’s no slowing her down now. Watch Golden Eyed Boy above, hear more from Mary Garnett Edwards below, and fall for her on her website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
