Paul Kelly releases How to Make Gravy follow-up after viral tease
Australia's most celebrated singer-songwriter has announced the release of Rita Wrote a Letter, the long-awaited follow-up track to his hit How to Make Gravy. Rita Wrote a Letter is the first single off Kelly's new album, Seventy, which will be released on November 7.
Kelly, who turned 70 in January, appears to be channelling UK superstar Adele, whose albums are famously titled according to her age at the time of release.
The release of Rita Wrote a Letter was foreshadowed in a viral marketing stunt earlier this week, when Kelly took a death notice out in The Age newspaper, announcing the passing of 'Joe', the incarcerated hero of his 1996 song.
According to the public notice, which ran on Page 33 of The Age, Joe's death was the result of 'sudden misadventure'. He is described as the much-loved father, husband, brother, brother-in-law and uncle to Dan, Rita, Stella, Roger, Mary, Angus, Frank and Dolly (all names that feature in the track).
Kelly posted the notice on his Instagram page, accompanied by the caption 'RIP, Joe'.
How to Make Gravy has become one of Kelly's most popular songs, an unlikely Christmas anthem (that was also turned into a 2024 film) that tells the story of Joe, a man behind bars, lamenting being separated from his family at Christmastime.
The song takes the form of a letter Joe writes to his brother, Dan, voicing his concerns about missing his children growing up while also accusing Dan of harbouring feelings for Rita. (I know you really like her, Just don't hold her too close, oh brother, please don't stab me in the back).
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