Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott to release an ode to Ireland as their next single

Co-written with the group’s guitarist Jonny Lexus, the song is described as a “paean to the Emerald Isle”. Reflecting on Heaton’s close relationship with Ireland over the past three decades and more specifically, a cycling tour he embarked upon back in 2012, the lyrics look fondly at an array of towns where he performed during that specific time.

Heaton, who rose to fame as lead-vocalist for the Housemartins first worked with Abbott when she joined his second group, the Beautiful South in 1994. After the band split up in 2007, the duo reunited to record the 2014 album, What Have We Become?

Crooked Calypso is their third collaboration, and they will be performing the album across Ireland on a seven-date tour this October.