Osheaga 2018 Friday
Portugal. The Man at Osheaga 2018 (more by Em Grey)

listen to Portugal. The Man cover Bill Withers' "Lovely Day"

We sadly lost soul legend Bill Withers on Friday, and tributes from Brian Wilson, Thom Yorke, Chance the Rapper, Kacey Musgraves, and so many other musicians have been pouring in. Here’s another tribute, in the form of a cover, from Portugal. The Man. They did Bill’s 1977 classic “Lovely Day,” and they write:

We did a cover of “Lovely Day”, we know it pales in comparison to the original but there is something special that happens when you learn how to play your favorite songs. We grew up listening to AM radio in remote Alaska and Bill Withers was one of the mainstays on those long drives to the grocery store. Bill’s music is imprinted in our DNA. It touches everything we do and we love him for the gifts he gave us. Bill will be missed but his music will live on forever.

Thank you Bill. We love you.

Their version stays pretty faithful to the original, but PTM sound great doing it and you can really hear the bittersweet admiration in their voices. Listen below.

PTM also wrote the following in tribute to Bill: “We’re saddened to learn of the passing of soul legend Bill Withers. The gentleness & warmth of his timeless music inspires hope, love, unity & strength. Show your children Bill Withers. Rest in peace, Bill, & thank you for everything you shared with us.”

For Portugal. The Man, this cover comes just one day after they released their lovely new song “Created” for photographer Roger Fishman’s video of landscape shots: