Betty Who - I Love You Always Forever | Music Is My King Size Bed

[PHOTO CREDIT – ZAK CASSAR]

2014 was responsible for a lot of quality pop—Lana Del Rey, Jessie Ware, Lykki Li, Tove Lo—ALL among them. Another one of 2014’s pop queens—lovable 6’1″ New York (by way of Australia) -based singer/songwriter, Betty Who, whose delicious debut, Take Me When You Go would certainly have been in my Top 5 Pop Albums of the year (if I had time to make lists). Luckily, plenty of other publications included it so I didn’t feel bad. Well, it’s been a little less than 2 years since the release of her debut and Betty Who is preparing to slay hearts all over again, with her latest—”I Love You Always Forever,” out now (iTunes). Listen below.

Produced by long-time collaborator and friend, Peter Thomas (Selena Gomez, Hilary Duff), “I Love You Always Forever” is a sparkling cover of a song originally released by Welsh singer/songwriter Donna Lewis back in 1996. While not drastically different from the original, Who’s version (thanks largely to Thomas’ skilled hands) does JUST enough to make the song sound fresh and current. With a song as identifiable and synonymous with 90s pop as “I Love You Always Forever,” sticking close to the original was the right move. There’s honestly not much you could, or frankly SHOULD do to change it. The chorus is the most recognizable part of the song. Who’s hazy acapella draws you in from the first note, lulling the listener into a sort of nostalgic trance before the production swells around her. For the most part, Thomas and Who leave the song’s trademark, syncopated melody untouched, rather injecting it with a little bit of 2016 freshness—lustrous, shimmery synths, some minor but effective vocal effects, and of course Betty Who‘s dreamy vocals. I love it.

In an interview with SPIN, Who makes it clear; “I Love You Always Forever” is not her sophomore album’s first single, telling the mag, “I’m such a writer. I’m such an artiste that I’m so concerned about putting out my story specifically, and this is Donna’s story. For me, it’s redirected attention, wanting to go, ‘Hey guys, I promise I’m not dead.” That said—ILYAF IS the first taste of new music we’ve heard from Betty Who since her debut album, so fans are no doubt going to be excited. Who was set to perform the song live for the first time this past weekend at Governors Ball in New York City, unfortunately weather dashed those hopes (and mine—Betty’s set was one of my most anticipated on Sunday) as Day #3 of the music festival was officially cancelled. Here’s hoping she performs this 90s-inspired pop gem at one of her upcoming dates.

Originally released back in May of 1996, “I Love You Always Forever” celebrates 20 years this year. I was 15 years old when the song came out, and I remember loving it back then. The song peaked at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 Chart, held off by none-other than the “Macarena.” One of the most played songs of the 1990s, “I love You Always Forever” was the lead single off Donna Lewis‘ debut album, Now In A Minute, and her most successful single to date (although her 1997 contribution to the Anastasia soundtrack with Richard Marx will always hold a special place in my heart).

If you’re wondering what Donna Lewis thinks of Betty Who‘s update, she seems pleased! Check out their recent Twitter exchange below.

thanks Betty for doing an amazing cover of my song! x @BettyWho

— Donna Lewis (@donna__lewis) June 5, 2016

Thank you so much my queen!! I hope I did you justice ?? https://t.co/sGoDTheFq9

— Betty Who (@BettyWho) June 5, 2016

Check out my *SPRING INTO SUMMER* Spotify playlist to hear “I love You Always Forever” and other seasonal vibes.

Check Out Betty Who Online:

Official Site || Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Instagram || SoundCloud