Culture
18 May 20

WATCH: Imelda May performs 'Stay' on The Late Late Show

Watch Imelda May's spoken word performance below.

Among the highlights of Friday's The Late Late Show was Imelda May's powerful performance of 'Stay', from her upcoming poetry EP.

The Dublin artist's new composition, written during lockdown, was first published in the Hot Press Emergency Issue. Imelda, alongside several other Irish stars and cultural figures, including Bob Geldof, Glen Hansard and Danny O'Reilly, offered her personal reflections on the Covid-19 crisis, as part of our 'Letters From Home' series.

Her first poetry EP, Slip Of Tongue, is out on June 12 via Decca Records – with one poem being released every week leading up to the release, beginning with 'Home'.

Famed for her prowess as a wordsmith, the upcoming EP sees her dissect her own experiences with characteristic sincerity – exploring issues such as obsession, heartbreak, Covid-19 isolation and love.

“I constantly write," Imelda says."Writing pads are filled, backs of envelopes, scraps of paper are scribbled on and scattered around me in between books, trinkets and photos. Melodies swirl in my head. Footsteps become the rhythm to a song. But often words don’t feel like they need anything more than to be spoken aloud or read alone. They just feel good as they are. But I still hear music. It evokes such strong emotion. So I decided to combine my two loves. I think they dance beautifully. I hope you agree.”

Watch her performance of 'Stay' below:

Viewers responded to the moving spoken word performance on social media:

How beautiful is this ❤️ Thanks for putting the thoughts of all of us into such beautiful poetry @ImeldaOfficial #latelate https://t.co/EnrQZcPFyF

— Julie-Ann Ennis (@julieannennis) May 15, 2020

I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @ImeldaOfficial . That poem on the Late Late was class #LockdownIreland #LateLateShow

— Gareth Noble (@GarNob) May 15, 2020

That poem was just magic @ImeldaOfficial thank you.@RTELateLateShow @rte #imeldamay #connecting

— Barry Jay Hughes / Wedding Singer Éire (@BarryJMusic) May 15, 2020

Such a poignant poem #ImeldaMay @ImeldaOfficial @RTELateLateShow #LateLate 👍🙏 #StaySafe #Weareallinthistogether x

— Robbie Kane (@robbiekane74) May 15, 2020

Lockdown poem by @ImeldaOfficial just now on @RTELateLateShow show. Stunning. Should release it. Wordsmith

— Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) May 15, 2020

Read Imelda May's poem 'Stay' in the current Hot Press Emergency Issue – available to buy in shops and order online now.