Lankum and ØXN singer Radie Peat has released a solo single on Rough Trade Records.
‘Still I Love Him’ is a traditional song about a very toxic relationship interpreted in an almost choral bittersweet and fatalistic tone, originally uncovered in the Irish Traditional Music Archives by folk artist John Francis Flynn – who wrote a melody to accompany it – to put emphasis on the song’s female protagonist. Peat then added her own stamp on it.
Watch the video by directed by Robbie Mailer-Howat with creative by Grace Margetson Studios:
‘I like indirect,’ Peat says. “I don’t like being too explicit and I wanted the freedom to make decisions around my voice without having to explain myself”. Peat talks about “creating emotional connection, that’s what I’m trying to do”, she says, “I’m trying to capture the elation and devastation that can accompany true love”.
“John discovered the song in an archive titled “True Love”, I found that so dark – even though you suffer – because of the amount you love someone – you stay, you carry on”.
Peat’s version brings a sense of forgiveness to the overbearing relationship.
“I was trying to show the two sides of the coin here, I was trying to get across the two extremes that can exist when we are experiencing love. I was representing his escalating bad behaviour with minor chords and sombre tones. There has to be great love to go through that suffering – I wanted the chorus brimming and gushing with romance represented in the vocals and instrumentally with the strings”.
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Radie Peat Live Dates
3rd Nov 2026 – Union Chapel – London – UK
20th Nov 2026 – Vicar St. – Dublin – IE
31st Jan 2027 – Paradiso – Amsterdam – NL
Pre-sale Thursday 9th July at 10am.
General sale Friday 10th July at 10am.
Still I Love Him lyrics
When I was single I wore a black shawl
Now that I’m married, I’ve nothing at all
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
He works in the pityard for twelve bob a week
He comes home on Saturdays full as a leech
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
He stands at the corner and whistles me out
His hands in his pockets, his shirt hanging out
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
He bought me a handkerchief, red, white and blue
And then to clean windows he tore it in two
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
He comes down our alley and whistles me out
And when I get out there he knocks me about
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
He took me to the alehouse and bought me some stout
Before I could drink it, he ordered me out
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
Oh, I like an apple and I like a pear
And I like a pitman with nice curly hair
Still I love him, I’ll forgive him
I’ll go with him wherever he goes
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
