Steve Marriner just can’t find the words on his new single I Don’t Know What To Say — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The acclaimed Canadian blues artist’s heartfelt new single is the second preview of his upcoming album Hear My Heart, due June 6. Following the success of his first single — a blues-soaked reinvention of the Genesis gem I Can’t Dance — Marriner now turns inward with an emotional ballad that showcases his vulnerable songwriting and soulful vocals.
Anchored by a tender melody and raw lyricism, I Don’t Know What To Say reflects on regret, forgiveness, and the longing for redemption:
“The thought of losing you grips like an iron glove
I’m only half a man without your love…
If I paid my debt, tell me, can you live?
If you can’t forget, can you forgive?”
The track captures the emotional honesty Marriner is known for — a signature that has made him one of Canada’s most respected blues musicians over the past two decades. “I always try to write songs that let people know they aren’t alone,” says Marriner. “Everyone struggles to find the right words sometimes, especially when it matters most. I Don’t Know What To Say is about that struggle — and about holding on to love, even when you’re not sure how to.”
With over 20 years of relentless touring and recording, Marriner has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most versatile and hard-working musicians. Nicknamed “The Swiss Army Knife” for his multi-instrumental talents, Marriner is a celebrated harmonica player, baritone guitarist, soulful vocalist, and creative producer.
As a co-founder and frontman of the acclaimed blues-rock band MonkeyJunk, Marriner has won two Juno Awards for Blues Album Of The Year and became part of Canadian blues history when MonkeyJunk became the first Canadian band to win a Blues Music Award in Memphis. His 2021 solo album Hope Dies Last earned a 2022 Juno nomination, cementing his place as a powerhouse solo artist.
Beyond MonkeyJunk, Marriner has collaborated with legends including Buddy Guy, Colin James and Blue Rodeo, and produced two albums — Yeah! by David Gogo and This Old Life by Big Dave McLean — that were nominated for Blues Album Of The Year at the 2025 Juno Awards.
With Hear My Heart, Marriner continues to evolve, bringing new emotional depth and musical grit to his work — and solidifying his status as one of the most compelling voices in modern blues.
Check out I Don’t Know What To Say above, hear more from Steve Marriner below, and use your words on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
