Most often in country music lyrics, the idea of a “happily ever after” conclusion is more of the exception rather than the norm. Now North Vancouver-based singer Mary Garnett Edwards has penned a dark, tragic country roots tale in “Golden Eyed Boy,” a single packing a punch both lyrically and musically. Garnett Edwards, accompanied by a who’s who of supporting musicians, 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,” Garnett Edwards 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 and life’s grittier, wrong side of the tracks, “Golden Eyed Boy” features Garnett Edwards, 67, and her raspy delivery recalls a country-fied Kim Carnes. Methodical and moody, the single comes to life thanks to producer Andreas Schuld’s gorgeous guitar work in the bridge. 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 The Bros. Landreth — flesh out the roots-based murder ballad 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
The song, produced by the JUNO Award-winning Andreas Schuld (Kenny Wayne, Raffi, Long John Baldry), exemplifies the creative partnership the tandem have. “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,” Garnett Edwards 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.”
A music video for “Golden Eyed Boy” has also been created and directed by Jennesia Pedri and cinematographer Dale Shippam. Set in a brothel in the ’40s era, the video features Garnett Edwards singing while the narrative plays itself out: a prostitute and man developing a romance before the brothel owner’s muscle violently resolves the issue, causing the prostitute to take her life tragically.
“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.”
Garnett Edwards, born in Edmonton, released her debut album White Lightning at age 63. And there’s no slowing her down now thanks to her own world-weary delivery that grabs your attention. It’s a style described by The Vancouver Sun as “part high lonesome twang, part folk blues croon with a fair bit of cosmic country thrown in.” Thanks to “Golden Eyed Boy,” look for Mary Garnett Edwards to continue to weave wonderfully wicked tales of life’s dark side.
