Sophie B. Hawkins Revisits A Beloved Classic With A Raw, Acoustic Version Of “Right Beside You”
Iconic singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins has unveiled a stirring acoustic re-imagining of her 1994 hit “Right Beside You”, the first single from her landmark sophomore album Whaler. The release arrives as part of Hawkins’ highly anticipated project WHALER – RE-EMERGING, a 30th anniversary celebration that breathes new life into the songs that helped define a generation.
Originally a Top 20 hit in the UK and a charting success across North America and Europe, “Right Beside You” was praised upon its debut for its urgent vocals, dance-pop energy, and Hawkins’ fearless artistry. The song’s original video—filmed on a windswept Sag Harbor beach and featuring Hawkins on horseback—cemented its place in pop culture. Now, three decades later, Hawkins strips the track down to its emotional core, offering fans a chance to experience it in its most intimate and vulnerable form.
“I loved digging into the Whaler songs, from remembering the feelings of writing them at the piano to experiencing them in new ways on stage and raw in front of my audience,” Hawkins shares. “It’s been an incredibly creative journey, full of love and joy. I’m so happy to share this raw and emotional Whaler re-emerging with you.”
The acoustic rendition highlights Hawkins’ unmistakable voice—untouched, unfiltered, and resonant with the same passion that first captivated listeners in the 1990s. Where the original leaned into sleek production and club-ready beats, this version embraces space and silence, magnifying the song’s lyrical themes of longing, devotion, love, and loss.
This release arrives on the heels of Hawkins’ recent album Free Myself (2023), which introduced her to a new wave of fans with the UK dance hit “Love Yourself.” As she prepares to bring WHALER – RE-EMERGING to audiences worldwide—including appearances at the Saskatoon Jazz Festival and Seattle’s Triple Door—Hawkins proves yet again her unparalleled ability to reinvent while staying true to her artistic soul.
With her career spanning seven albums, platinum hits like “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down”, and acclaimed appearances across film, television, and theater, Hawkins remains one of music’s most daring and enduring voices. “Right Beside You” (Acoustic) is more than a nostalgic revisit—it’s a testament to the timelessness of Hawkins’ songwriting and the raw power of her performance.
UPCOMING CANADA TOUR DATES
October 16 – North Battleford, SK – Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts
October 17 – Camrose, AB – Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre
October 18 – Fort Saskatchewan, AB – Dow Centennial Centre – Shell Theatre
October 19 – Prince Albert, SK – E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts
October 21 – Brandon, MB – Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
October 22 – Winnipeg, MB – Club Regent Event Centre
October 25 – St. Albert, AB – Arden Theatre
October 26 – Red Deer, AB – Red Deer Memorial Centre
October 27 – Calgary, AB – Bella Concert Hall
October 29 – Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Playhouse
October 30 – Victoria, BC – McPherson Playhouse