Lighthouse Family singer Tunde Baiyewu says he is still amazed at the impact the pop duo’s songs had on fans.
Speaking to The National before making their UAE debut at the Dubai music festival Party in the Park, held on Thursday, October 31 and Friday, November 1, at the Media City Amphitheatre, the British Nigerian frontman expresses pride at how the band's soothing hits, such as High and Lost in Space, helped people cope during tough times.
“As we travel and meet people they tell us these amazing and touching stories at what these songs means to them,” he says.
“You know, when you start writing a song, you really are just doing it for yourself and for the record. But when the song goes out, it becomes its own thing and it becomes part of people’s lives.”
A stirring example of which came in the form of an online message he came across a few years ago.
“This woman wrote about how she was in a car with her husband, who was ill,” Baiyewu says
"They were driving and Lost in Space comes on the radio. He looks at her and tells her 'that I love you very much and please listen to this song, because the lyrics says everything that I ever want to say to you.' Shortly after, he passed away. The song means a lot to the woman and she said that whenever she hears it, it gives her fond memories of her husband. That deeply moved me."
Released in 1998, Lost in Space was the third single from Lighthouse Family's big selling second album Post Cards from Heaven. Written by the group's pianist and chief songwriter Paul Tucker, the song is a tender and string drenched ballad in which Baiyewu croons about a love that comforts and heals. The lyrics include the line: "And I'll never lose my faith in you, how will I ever get to heaven, if I do?"
Joining Lighthouse Family on the bill for this year's Party in the Park are Fatboy Slim, The Kooks, and Richard Ashcroft.
Party in the Park, Thursday, October 31, until Friday, November 1, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Tickets begin from Dh250 from www.partyinthepark.ae
