British singer and songwriter Sam Fender has shared two special, stripped back performances for Apple Music’s Home Session series, including a new version of Seventeen Going Under cut “Last To Make It Home” as well as a take on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire,” with the help from the Australian indie rock band, Gang of Youths. Both songs come on the heels of Fender’s exclusive Deezer Sessions, which dropped earlier this month.
Fender first debuted his cover of “I’m On Fire” during a London concert last November. Gang of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe joined the singer for the live performance then, too, for an encore at Alexandra Palace. Following “I’m On Fire,” Fender also covered Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.”
Fender has long been regarded as Britain’s answer to Springsteen, a high honor for an artist deeply inspired by the beloved musician, but one looking to carve out his own path regardless of comparison.
Speaking with The Guardian, Fender shared: “I feel like I’ve got my integrity back, I’m more honest with myself about who I am, about my weaknesses and strengths. I don’t quite hate myself as much. I’ve never given myself the time of day before, and now I am – it’s been nice. I’m still learning, I’m still in the trenches at the moment, but I feel like there’s a clear goal in sight. This record is about growing up, and the issues you carry through to adulthood.”
The record he speaks of, Seventeen Going Under, was released last October to widespread acclaim. The album debuted at No.1 on the UK Official Albums Charts, outselling the rest of the Top 10 combined. At the time, the release notched the fifth-biggest opening weekend of 2021 with 44,000 sales of which 79 percent accounted for physical purchases.
In a way, the singer is still only just getting started, adding: “I have so many ideas that have spawned from writing this one. I feel like I’ve started to close the chapter on that part of my life.”
Buy or stream Seventeen Going Under.