We Speak Music
Gerald Lucas Honors Musical Icon Sly Stone with New Cover of “If You Want Me To Stay”
An inspired tribute from one multi-instrumentalist to another
Acclaimed musician, singer, and composer Gerald Lucas announces the release of his new cover of “If You Want Me To Stay,” a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Sly Stone. The release arrives in the wake of Stone’s passing on June 9, 2025, honoring the profound influence he had on generations of artists.
“I played Sly Stone’s records all the time growing up,” Lucas recalls. “I was always amazed how Sly could play many different instruments as he blended and fused various musical styles.” Inspired by that legacy, Lucas set out to reimagine one of his favorite Sly Stone songs—performing every instrument on the track himself as a nod to Stone’s groundbreaking artistry.
The result is a deeply personal and musically rich rendition that captures the spirit of the original while showcasing Lucas’s own versatility and creative voice. Much like his musical hero, Lucas demonstrates his mastery across multiple instruments, delivering a layered and soulful performance that bridges past and present.
Gerald Lucas is an internationally recognized multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger. His career has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall and multiple appearances at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Known for his dynamic musicianship and genre-blending approach, Lucas continues to push artistic boundaries while paying homage to the icons who shaped his sound.
With “If You Want Me To Stay,” Gerald Lucas not only celebrates the enduring legacy of Sly Stone but also reaffirms his own place as a powerful and innovative voice in contemporary music.
We Speak Music
Megan Burke Turns Personal Experience into Pop Catharsis on ‘Not All Men, Apparently’
Megan Burke’s debut EP Not All Men, Apparently arrives with a title designed to provoke conversation, but beneath its pointed framing lies a deeply personal collection of songs rooted in lived experience. The project sees the Irish artist tackling themes of heartbreak, deception and emotional recovery with an unfiltered honesty that has become increasingly rare within contemporary pop.
Produced by Hungarian hitmaker Áron Somody, the EP documents Burke’s journey through a series of difficult relationships, transforming private frustrations into universally relatable songwriting. Rather than presenting neat resolutions, the songs lean into complexity, examining the lingering impact of toxic dynamics while charting a gradual path towards self-awareness. It is this willingness to confront uncomfortable truths that gives the record its emotional weight.
Among the collection’s standout moments is Make Me, the focus track that introduces a welcome sense of levity. Written as a break from the darker material surrounding it, the song captures a more playful side of Burke’s personality, embracing independence and spontaneity without abandoning the candid perspective that defines the wider project. Its inclusion adds balance to a release that might otherwise feel relentlessly introspective.
Burke’s rise has been built largely on her ability to connect directly with audiences, amassing a substantial online following while earning notable milestones including a No.1 iTunes chart position and performances at some of Ireland’s biggest venues. With Not All Men, Apparently, she delivers her most cohesive artistic statement yet, confirming her status as a compelling new voice in Irish pop and a songwriter unafraid to tell difficult stories.
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