Sam Fender's Heartfelt Tribute: A New Single Inspired by a Surrogate Mother Figure

Sam Fender, the North Shields troubadour with a penchant for heart-tugging anthems, has opened the floodgates on his forthcoming single, “People Watching.” In an emotional revelation, he confides that the song is a tribute to someone who was like a surrogate mother to him. Ah, the bittersweet beauty of memory—it's a subject ripe for lyrical exploration, isn’t it?

Earlier this week, Sam shared a tantalizing snippet of the song and, bless his heart, took a moment to thank his patient fans while unveiling the single's artwork, courtesy of the late Tish Murtha. It features an image from nearby South Shields—a nostalgic nod to a locale that undoubtedly holds more than a few echoes of his life. Mark your calendars, folks; “People Watching” is set to emerge into the world on November 15, with a promise of more album details to come just two days earlier. Can you feel the anticipation in the air?

In an Instagram post that reads like a memoir excerpt, Fender provides insight into the deeper story behind the song. “People Watching” is a deeply personal reflection on his surrogate mother who passed away last November. He recalls those poignant moments spent at her side during her final hours, a tribute wrapped in both sadness and gratitude. “It’s kind of ironic,” he mused, “because she was the one that gave me the confidence to go on stage.” Isn’t it just the way? The real rock stars are sometimes those who quietly cheer us on from the sidelines, demanding a shout-out during our acceptance speeches that never seem to happen. But now, he declares, an entire song and album connect back to her. “I hope that wherever she is now she’s looking down saying ‘about time kid.’” A perfect blend of melancholy and humor, wouldn’t you agree?

Fender first introduced “People Watching” live on August 3, alongside another gem called “Nostalgia’s Lie.” Both songs are anticipated to appear on his much-anticipated third album, which he assures us is nearly ready for the world. In fact, he’s teased that the album has already been "finished" and "mastered," with collaborative input from none other than Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs. Now, that’s what you call a musical pedigree!

This time around, Fender seems to be taking his sweet time—an impressive leap from the two-year gap between his debut, “Hypersonic Missiles,” and sophomore effort, “Seventeen Going Under.” He candidly admitted that he “rushed” his last album. Who hasn’t been there, right? An interview on Sky Arts’ “Johnson And Knopfler’s Music Legends” revealed his commitment to crafting something truly special this time. “I’d rather it be late and great than early and shite,” he declared. Now that’s the kind of meticulous artistry we can all get behind!

In a reflective moment with NME, he described his new music as “very pretty” with a strong “singer-songwriter” vibe. He’s not interested in manufacturing stadium anthems; instead, Fender is focused on the authenticity of his own story. “If I try and force myself to write stadium songs, we could end up fucking it, I think,” he explained while simultaneously cracking us up and capturing the reality of the creative struggle.

His forthcoming album will follow the footsteps of his previous triumph, “Seventeen Going Under,” which was not only lauded as NME’s Album of the Year in 2021 but also went straight to Number One in the UK. As if that weren’t enough, it was even nominated for the Mercury Prize. This year, fans have had the pleasure of experiencing “Iris,” a piece from the “Jackdaw” soundtrack, and “Homesick,” a heartfelt collaboration with Noah Kahan.

And if you’re lucky enough to be in the UK or Ireland, grab your tickets for his upcoming tour, which includes two nights in London. Here’s a cherry on top: £1 from each ticket is set to be donated to the Music Venue Trust, supporting the very grassroots venues that nurture our beloved music. Now that's what I call a heart of gold! So, here’s to Sam Fender—a musician who manages to blend humor and heartache into something beautiful. Can’t wait to hear what he has in store for us!