Pete Townshend has shared new single ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’.
The new track represents his first solo single in 29 years, a bold piece of acoustic-led songwriting flecked with gorgeous pedal steel. The track was composed and produced by Rachel Fuller under her nom de plume Charlie Pepper, and it hones in on the lingering isolation and loneliness sparked by the pandemic.
A song about human interaction, ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ is forceful and quietly beautiful. Rachel Fuller discusses the genesis of the song…
“We’d just moved house and Pete was as happy as Larry up in his studio, working every day, and I put my back out, I was just climbing the walls, I couldn’t do any creative work and obviously, we couldn’t go anywhere. And I really started to think about how unbelievably difficult this period of time was going to be for so many people. I wrote lyrics and then I sat at the piano and wrote the music, and then I thought, Oh, I really would like to record it, because it’s really not a bad song at all – and my singing days are long over. So, I asked Pete to record the demo”.
For his part, Pete Townshend adds: “I’ve helped Rachel make the demos for several of her theatrical projects. She’s a really a fast worker, it’s not that you say to me, let’s go into the studio for two weeks and work on this project. We do it two hours later, or an hour later, it’s done – so it’s easy to work with her”.
Out now digitally, 10p from each download goes to Teenage Cancer Trust. An ultra-limited 12 inch vinyl pressing has been arranged, featuring exclusive artwork from Damien Hirst – all proceeds from physical sales go the charity.
Check out ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ below.
Teenage Cancer Trust returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall this month for a series of shows.