Singer-songwriter Mitski has just released a new cover of Pete Townshend‘s “Let My Love Open the Door.”
While Townshend’s original holds some optimism with an ascending synthesizer riff and an upbeat tone, Mitski’s version goes in the other direction. She slows down the tempo and the only thing accompanying her on the track is piano. In the first few seconds, you may be tempted to think of this song as another in the line of songs where the tempo is slowed to a crawl for no reason. However, in Mitski’s hands, she slowly increases the pace, bringing in optimism by the end.
Mitski recorded her version of the song for the upcoming movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey which stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie.
“Let My Love Open the Door,” first appeared on Townshend’s third solo album, Empty Glass in 1980. (And if you think he was immune to the idea of slowing down the tempo of the song and playing up the sentiments, please check out his 1996 “E Cola Mix.”) The song reached #10 on the Billboard chart, making it Townshend’s only solo song to reach the top 10.
