Stream: Girls, “Lawrence”

November 08, 2011


Just one day after Christopher Owens' letter to semi-anonymous Felt frontman Lawrence was published online, where Owens professed his adoration and announced a limited edition heart-shaped-vinyl tribute song, the track has materialized via PIAS. Felt has seen a welcome resurgence lately—here's Real Estate performing a cover of “Sunlight Bathed the Golden Glow." Girls’ tribute is largely instrumental, with voices gracing the song only in oohs and ahhs, in the hope that Lawrence might provide vocals. It's a super charming, only-out-of-love idea, though it may put the man who never told the world his last name a bit on the spot. Stream the song and read Owens' letter below, and keep an eye out for the vinyl, out November 28th in the UK and December 6 in the US via Turnstile and True Panther.

Stream: Girls, "Lawrence"

Dear Lawrence,

I wonder who will be writing me in twenty years, and what they'll be looking for. Don't worry, I'm not writing to talk about the things I'm looking for in life, I'll spare you that. I'm writing to FINALLY be able to send you a song that I wrote in 2008. When I wrote this song I was the guitarist in a band called Holy Shit, Matt Fishbeck (our fearless leader) was the one who turned me on to Felt. I fell in love with your songs, I wouldn't stop listening, I loved you and Maurice.

To make a long story a shorter story, I once wrote this song and wondered what you would sing to it, I could sometimes hear your voice but I didn't dare write down any words. I never thought for a second you would ever hear it, I wondered if you would like it, all that. I called it Lawrence, after you. To send it to you now is incredible for me, I want to show you I'm thankful. You gave me something to love, or in other words you gave me love itself. You took something that can sometimes feel so common and dull and brought it back to life with so much beauty and verse. You gave me happiness, and you still do.

Anyway, I'd just like you to have it, it's yours, take it as yours. Do anything you want with it. I hope you enjoy listening to it. And all the best to you forever and ever.

With love, Christopher Owens

Posted: November 08, 2011
Stream: Girls, “Lawrence”