Paolo Nutini - "Last Request"

This song has been with me for years. A long time ago when I worked in the travel branch of a Record Label in New York, Paolo was one of our clients and he was the kindest kind of star. I fell in love with is aching, raspy voice and clear crying sound. That record stayed in rotation for quite a while in my life.

This weekend at what became an incredibly touching, beautiful night with friends at a new place, this song came on, and it touched so many old and so many new places in my heart. It’s something bittersweet to know that something wonderful is over, but that at least you had something wonderful for a while.

The scottish singer, songwriter and musician is from Paisley. His debut album, These Streets (2006), peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. Its follow-up, Sunny Side Up (2009), debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Both albums have been certified quintuple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.

After 5 years, Nutini released his third studio album, Caustic Love, in April 2014. The album received positive reviews from music critics. Caustic Love debuted at number one on the UK Album Charts and was certified platinum by the BPI in June 2014.

In late July 2014, he was referred to by the BBC as "arguably Scotland's biggest musician right now". After extensive touring in 2015 in support of Caustic Love, Nutini took a hiatus in 2016 although he performed an emotional tribute in memory of a Welsh fan in Newport, Wales on 20 July. On 20 September 2016 it was announced that Nutini would headline the Concert in the Gardens, the flagship event of Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party, on New Year's Eve 2016/2017. Tickets were sold out in a record-breaking three hours leading to an unprecedented second show (named "The Night Afore") being announced for 30 December.

So today, with a sea salt and honey on my tongue, I choose Paolo Nutini - "Last Request" as my, hold on to nothing, smile when it comes back around, give yourself permission to let go of all your old labels, song for a, here we are again, let’s learn this lesson this time, one more heart to heal, Monday.

Personally my favorite version is the 2nd, solo piano version.