Listen to ‘Say The Words’ from new original musical Coven

A first song from new original musical Coven has been released!

Composer and performer Matthew Harvey has put out new single Say the Words, performed by West End stars Roshani Abbey, Emma Kingston, Kayleigh McKnight and Courtney Stapleton

Matthew Harvey said: “Say The Words is from an original musical I’m developing. I’ve been massively into 80’s horror most of my life and have always felt the world could use an original musical that brings that era & style to the stage.

“The show, currently titled Coven, I think would be best described as Hocus Pocus meets Stranger Things; the story revolves around 3 witches who convince a young student to break the spell imprisoning them. Naturally, havoc ensues, all set to a rocking 80’s soundtrack.”

Say the Words is sung by leading west end ladies, Roshani Abbey (currently Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds in Hamilton), Emma Kingston (currently Sammy’s Wife & Dina at certain performances The Bands Visit), Kayleigh McKnight (LIFT, Heathers the Musical) and Courtney Stapleton (currently Belle in Beauty and the Beast).

You can watch the music video for the song below. You can also stream the song on Spotify now.

Harvey continues: “The idea stemmed from my ‘song ideas’ note on my phone. I wrote something hilariously vague like: ‘Emma, Courtney, Kayleigh and Roshani belting at each other for some reason’, and then was watching an old school horror film and realised the setting of these movies really matched the heightened musical style and vocal quality I was going for.

“Freddie Tapner and I worked a lot on the song to try and really nail the 80’s vibe whilst keeping it firmly in the musical theatre camp; Freddie is a musical theatre encyclopaedia and certain elements like the minor third key-change and the pedally verses came from his knowledge of the genre. It’s not an easy song to sing and I’m absolutely made up at the girls’ vocals, they all smashed it in about 1 take!”

Harvey adds: “I listened to a lot of Frank Wildhorn whilst working on this song. When it comes to gothic musical theatre, he’s the godfather. I’m also a huge classic rock lover so leant heavily into that while arranging the song, possibly too much considering there are 5 electric guitars on it! You’ll be able to hear hints of Kiss, ACDC even a bit of Phantom of the Opera if you listen closely enough!”