Hamish Revives the Timeless Spirit of “Singing In My Soul”

What kind of song can travel thousands of miles, survive nearly three decades, become part of people’s most important celebrations, and still feel at home when it finds its way back to listeners? For Hamish, the answer is Singing In My Soul, a warmly crafted folk song whose history is almost as memorable as the music itself.

Originally recorded for Hamish’s 1999 debut album Picture In My Bag, the song carries the unmistakable character of an artist who values songwriting, melody and genuine musical connection above polish for its own sake. Its journey began during Hamish’s travels in New Zealand, where it found an audience on the folk charts before receiving a television sync and becoming a recurring favourite at weddings and live events.

The recording itself has an atmosphere that feels inseparable from the song. Captured at Hatfield Court in Herefordshire, a weathered mansion with an unusual creative spirit, Hamish worked alongside local musicians under the guidance of producer Les Penning, known for his work with Mike Oldfield. Rather than sounding manufactured, the performance retains the immediacy of musicians responding to one another in a room.

That quality remains one of Singing In My Soul’s greatest strengths. Hamish’s musical outlook has been shaped by decades of listening, travelling and absorbing the great songwriting traditions of folk and rock. His admiration for artists such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and Neil Young comes through not as imitation, but as an appreciation for songs that have something meaningful to say.

There is also something satisfying about the timing of this release. Twenty seven years after his debut album, Hamish has finally followed through on the question listeners have continued to ask: when will there be another album? His forthcoming Significant Others provides the next chapter, while Singing In My Soul offers a reminder of where that journey began. For listeners discovering Hamish for the first time, this is more than an archival revisit. It is a song with history, character and staying power.