Boo Hewerdine and Yvonne Lyon are two of the UK’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, each bringing a distinct yet complementary style to their music. Hewerdine, an Ivor Novello Award-nominated artist, is widely recognized for his exceptional songwriting, having penned the hit “Patience of Angels” for Eddi Reader and produced the folk classic Sings the Songs of Robert Burns. Now based in Glasgow, he continues to craft music that balances lyrical depth with melodic warmth.
Yvonne Lyon, an equally esteemed singer-songwriter, has built an impressive career with ten solo studio albums to her name, including Growing Wild. Her ability to blend poignant lyricism with captivating melodies has made her one of the UK’s most celebrated contemporary folk artists. Having earned recognition from BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and a Master’s Degree in Songwriting and Performance, Lyon brings a rich storytelling sensibility to her work. Together, Lyon and Hewerdine have formed an evocative partnership, exploring themes of memory, nostalgia, and the overlooked beauty in everyday moments. Their latest collaborative effort, “Things Found In Books”, was born from a simple yet profound source of inspiration, a noticeboard in Culzean Castle’s second-hand bookshop, where forgotten items found between the pages of books are collected and displayed.
Released on March 28th, 2025, “The Things You Find In Books” by Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine is a song that feels like an intimate conversation with the past. As the opening track of their collaborative album “Things Found In Books”, this piece sets the stage for a collection of songs inspired by lost fragments of people’s lives; notes, photographs, letters, and small mementos found tucked inside second-hand books at Scotland’s Culzean Castle. The song is a delicate yet profound meditation on memory, nostalgia, and the significance of the seemingly ordinary. With a sound that is both soothing and thought-provoking, it draws listeners into a world where forgotten objects whisper untold stories, making it one of the most evocative folk compositions of recent years.
From the very first notes, “The Things You Find In Books” establishes a deeply personal and contemplative atmosphere. A gentle acoustic sound introduces the song, its warm tones inviting listeners into a reflective space. The simplicity of this opening is deceptive; it carries an emotional weight that immediately sets the mood. Rather than overwhelming the listener with grand instrumentation, the arrangement allows each note to breathe, mirroring the quiet discoveries made in second-hand bookshops. The song’s careful construction is a testament to Lyon and Hewerdine’s skill as songwriters, proving that restraint can often be the most powerful tool in storytelling.
Boo Hewerdine’s voice is the first to enter, his delivery measured and filled with a quiet reverence. His deep, resonant vocals bring a sense of lived experience, making the lyrics feel like a collection of thoughts gathered over time. There is something deeply comforting in the way he sings, as if he is carefully turning the pages of an old book, taking in the faded ink and forgotten handwriting. His voice carries the weight of the song’s themes; memory, loss, and the beauty of the ephemeral, without ever feeling heavy or burdened. Instead, there is a quiet wonder in his tone, as if he is marveling at the simple magic of finding a decades-old letter hidden between the pages of a novel.
When Yvonne Lyon’s voice enters, the song takes on an entirely new dimension. Her soft, emotive clarity adds an element of tenderness, infusing the song with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Unlike many duets where voices overlap, Lyon and Hewerdine take turns singing, allowing each perspective to unfold naturally. This choice enhances the song’s storytelling, making it feel like a shared discovery rather than a singular experience. Lyon’s voice brings a delicate fragility to the piece, reinforcing the idea that these found objects are not just remnants of the past but pieces of real lives, filled with emotions, aspirations, and untold stories.
The instrumentation remains understated yet richly textured, enhancing the song’s emotional resonance without overshadowing the vocals. Alongside the acoustic guitar, gentle piano flourishes and subtle strings weave through the composition, adding depth without excess. This careful balance creates a sense of space within the music, allowing listeners to immerse themselves fully in the lyrics and melodies. The production quality is exemplary, with a warm, organic mix that highlights every nuance of the performance. Each element feels intentional, as if every note and chord has been placed with great care to serve the song’s overarching narrative.
One of the most striking aspects of the song is its ability to create a sense of connection between the listener and the anonymous figures whose belongings inspired it. There is an inherent nostalgia woven into the music, a recognition that, though time moves forward, the emotions and experiences of those who came before us are still present in the things they left behind. The song does not merely celebrate the past; it invites us to engage with it, to find meaning in the overlooked and discarded. In doing so, Lyon and Hewerdine craft a piece that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, a rare feat in modern songwriting.
Ultimately, “The Things You Find In Books” is a song that lingers long after the final notes fade. It is a gentle but powerful reminder that the smallest details of our lives; the receipts, the letters, the notes scrawled in the margins of books, carry stories that deserve to be remembered. Through its exquisite composition, heartfelt performances, and profound lyricism, the song captures the essence of what it means to be human: the need to hold onto our memories, to find meaning in the fragments, and to share our stories with those who come after us. Lyon and Hewerdine have created something truly special, a song that not only honors the past but encourages us to cherish the present, knowing that even the most ordinary moments can one day become extraordinary.
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