David Byrne Debuts Unreleased Song ‘Send Her to Heaven’
David Byrne has debuted "Send Her to Heaven," a song earmarked for inclusion in his upcoming stage musical inspired by the life and death of Joan of Arc.
Byrne made the song available via his recent appearance on Pitchfork Radio, part of a setlist dedicated to music recorded on cellphones. Explaining via his mailing list that the show was an attempt to "honor and celebrate all those people out there who are capturing and sharing important moments with people around the world," Byrne served up a batch of music that included a recording captured at an Eric Garner protest march and a sax solo recorded at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza — as well as an assortment of unreleased material.
Aside from previously unheard songs from Andy Noble and the Messengers, Byrne played his own "Send Her to Heaven," which is set to make it to the stage when he bows his Saint Joan musical next February. Promising a "contemporary" take on the oft-told tale, he explained his reasons for tackling the project in another mailing list missive.
"Why has this story endured over centuries and been made into so many plays and movies? Because it’s about someone—a nobody, a teenage girl — who inspired others to act, to overthrow their oppressors and take charge of their lives," wrote Byrne. "She transforms from an innocent, into an androgynous warrior, and finally a martyr. Joan’s story is about the power of the individual to make a difference and (for me) the hubris and sometimes oversteps that often go along with that. In other words — it’s completely relevant."
Keep an eye on the New York City Public Theater website for Saint Joan ticketing information, and check out "Send Her to Heaven" and the rest of Byrne's Pitchfork Radio setlist below.
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