“Emotional Tourist” – Penfriend
Get this song PLUS the stormy title track immediately when you order your copy of my new album “House Of Stories”, out 25th April 2025.
The album is available on super limited edition vinyl colours, signed CD and KiT hybrid digital format, with tees, hoodies and hardback books to accompany the music
https://shop.penfriend.rocks/collections/penfriend-house-of-stories
Songs can mend moments. Art stretches time, giving me a chance to walk back into the room and say what I wouldacouldashoulda. Giving me the power to walk out.
“Emotional Tourist” is a fiery anthem* for anyone who’s suffered at the hands of bullies, creeps and narcissists. Fielding comments – or worse – on your appearance, your weight, your life choices. Painted into a corner by politeness, with an inability to believe someone could truly be that awful – and be doing it on purpose, too.
Just me? Sadly not.
11 years ago, faced with my soon-to-be-ex’s final attempts to extinguish my creativity I did manage to get out, but there was no blaze of glory. Real life is usually quieter than that.
I know I’m one of the lucky ones.
“Emotional Tourist” is a chance for me to rewrite my story in that blaze of glory – 3 minutes 40 seconds of foot-stomping, fist-wielding synth rock.
Because when events from the past refuse to stay there, the only thing to do as a songwriter is stab them in the eye with the blade of truth.
“You reap what you sow.”
* PS: my rule on such bragging is: if someone else (who isn’t a friend and doesn’t live with me) calls the song an anthem, I can call the song an anthem…
VIDEO CREDITS
Directed, shot and edited by Laura Kidd.
Additional filming and warmest encouragement from Tim Bailey, my actual hero (can you spot his lovely face near the end of the video?)
Paper house crafted by LK, with a cameo from the Christmas tree fairy Sarah-Jane Osborne made for me a few years ago, when I went by the name She Makes War. Thank you, S-J!
PS I’m playing my beloved Reverend Double Agent OG in this video.
SONG CREDITS
Written, produced, performed, and recorded by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Nottingham.
Drums by Max Saidi.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon. Mastered by Katie Tavini.
HUGEST THANKS to The Correspondent’s Club. I can’t do this without you xxx
LYRICS
You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow
It’s like this –
The lure of a late night kiss
A situation that shouldn’t exist
Now I’m trapped in a house in the humdrum
With a cut-price narcissist
– Now I’m trapped in a house with a poisoned mind
He tells me to give up my dream
The thing I’ve wanted since I was 13
Or I’m not on his team
Now there’s smoke in the house
And I didn’t even think to scream
You reap what you sow, motherfucker / lazy lover
Go
Go, go
You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow
I’m not finished
That’s two years I’ll never get back
I’m sick of hearing
I’m too fat
I’m too boring
I’m too this
I’m too that
He said I couldn’t make him feel
That I shouldn’t write about what’s real
Then he lit that match
Oh well – what’s a girl to do?
You reap what you sow, motherfucker / lazy lover
Go, go
I hope you know
You reap what you sow
So go
I hope you choke
You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow
I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow
You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep
And you can just weep in the snow
NEXT
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My new Penfriend album “House Of Stories” is available to order NOW on super limited vinyl, CDs and KiT hybrid digital albums, with accompanying tees, hoodies and books. Get two songs in your inbox immediately, with another every month til the release date in April (before anyone else).
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See you soon xo
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