Following an impressive week at AmericanaFest, which included a poignant performance at the Americana Honors & Awards complete with a heartfelt introduction by friends The War and Treaty, William Prince shares his first Spotify Singles, out today. Prince’s session includes an up-tempo version of “Young” from Stand in the Joy paired with a real surprise, a cover of “I Want It That Way.”

While from vastly different worlds, these two songs are fitting companions. “Young,” is about Prince’s perspective on his 16-year-old self. As the song goes: “Nothing is out of our reach / We can be all that we dreamed when we were young.” From this vantage in 2023, in the context of William’s banner year of milestones and achievements, pairing this song with pure pop nostalgia provides a compelling look back with the grace and gratitude that fills the present.

“Young is about all the dreams I had as a young man while driving around my hometown. Dreams of being a musician and sharing my songs with the world. Dreams of love with the right person. I was worried it wouldn’t happen for me,” says Prince. “Turns out, I didn’t have as much to worry about as I thought. I learned over time that dreams can be achieved when we take the time to focus on them. I was so stressed that my life wouldn’t work out, long before I was fully sure of what it was even going to be. ‘Young’ looks back and tells the young man to take a breath and enjoy the ride. I’m sure enjoying it now.”

With this passage of time and the guidance of love, William Prince transforms the Backstreet Boys’ era-defining and enduring hit into a floaty and folky Americana ballad. While keeping the original’s melody line on acoustic guitar, Prince’s version leads with a sturdy piano, lending the cover a sophisticated, expanded feel. Confident and relaxed, Prince’s lone baritone is satisfyingly soothing. In favour of the song’s iconic question, William creates a bridge that feels as fresh as a flower blooming, shifting the tone from uncertain to assured.

Lyrically, “I Want It That Way” is a fitting choice for Prince to adapt, surprisingly reminiscent of his own writing. When Prince suits up to sing a pop song, he relates to the theme so deeply, his conviction could have us believing this song is one we haven’t heard yet. Tinged with popular nostalgia but softened by its warmer, hand-hewn edges, William Prince’s “I Want It That Way” comes from a man who says what he means and means what he says.

“I’m such a Max Martin fan, and though it’s impossible to replicate the sound, you can do your best to replicate the feeling of a great song. ’I Want It That Way’ is a great song,” adds Prince. “Being chosen to have a Spotify Single is a massive compliment and I’m thrilled we got to recreate a song that brings so much joy. This is all about standing in the joy.”

Both new songs were recorded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, produced by Boy Golden and mixed by William Garrett.

Up next, William returns to the road with The War and Treaty before a headline tour of Europe and the UK later this fall. Prince has recently announced his largest tour of Canada to date, with stops in historic and prestigious 2500-capacity theatres across the country. The Stand in the Joy Canadian tour runs February-March, 2024.

TOUR DATES

CHARLOTTE, NC: Visulite Theatre, Sept 27 w/ The War and Treaty
UTRECHT, NL: Club Nine, Nov 2
AMEN, NL: De Amer, Nov 3
GRONINGEN, NL: Take Root, Nov 4
BERLIN, DE: Fluxbau, Nov 6
STUTTGART, DE: Im Wizemann Studio, Nov 7
FRANKFURT, DE: Nachtleben, Nov 8
MUNICH, DE: Strom, Nov 9
HAMBURG, DE: Kent Club, Nov 11
LONDON, UK: Bush Hall, Nov 14
MANCHESTER, UK: Deaf Institute, Nov 15
BATH, UK: Workman’s Club, Nov 18
GLASGOW, UK: King Tut’s, Nov 19
KITCHENER, ON: Centre in the Square, Feb 6
TORONTO, ON: Massey Hall, Feb 7
KINGSTON, ON: The Grand, Feb 8
OTTAWA, ON: NAC, Feb 9
VICTORIA, BC: McPherson Playhouse, Feb 23
VANCOUVER, BC: Orpheum, Feb 24
KELOWNA, BC: Kelowna Community Theatre, Feb 25
EDMONTON, AB: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Feb 26
CALGARY, AB: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Feb 27
REGINA, SK: Conexus Arts Centre, Feb 28
SASKATOON, SK: TCU Place, Feb 29
WINNIPEG, MB: Centennial Concert Hall, Mar 2
HALIFAX, NS: Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Mar 15
SAINT JOHN, NB: Imperial Theatre, Mar 16
MONCTON, NB: Capitol Theatre, Mar 17
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE: Confederation Centre, Mar 18
MONTREAL, QC: TD Studio, Mar 20
QUEBEC, QC: Palais Montcalm, Mar 21

For all upcoming tour dates, tickets and details, please visit williamprincemusic.com.

ABOUT WILLIAM PRINCE

Guided by a practical yet profound gratitude, William Prince’s songs convey the power of wonder and humility. A masterclass in skilful simplicity, Prince’s songwriting is grounded in a balance between the personal and the universal, his own moments of self-discovery and the larger questions we face together. Prince offers what’s true for himself in whatever way it is helpful. Grace is not a final state but a process.

Over four albums, Wialliam Prince has created a body of work that traces a remarkable journey. From the giant first step taken with his award-winning debut, Earthly Days, which introduced Prince to the world, through releasing two full albums in 2020 – Reliever and Gospel First Nation – in the midst of chaos and confusion, William Prince’s discography finds its steadying, timeless appeal in his rich voice and assured restraint. Now with Stand in the Joy, produced by Dave Cobb, William Prince finds himself exactly where he needs to be.

Prince has also built a collection of memorable collaborations with many of Canada’s most esteemed artists, including Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Tragically Hip and Serena Ryder along the way. Prince’s career trajectory is marked by accolades and milestones: an opening slot for Neil Young, a JUNO Award, tours with The War and Treaty, Yola and Katie Pruitt, a Tiny Desk and a return to the studio with Grammy winning producer Dave Cobb. With meaningful, impactful appearances on national broadcasts honouring icons and amplifying crucial conversations alike, including co-hosting the award-winning A Day to Listen broadcast for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, Prince has taken up his deserved place on the national stage.

In concert, where his musical gifts and worldview converge in and between songs, Prince often remarks on the distance his songs have taken him. Be it his breakout BBC-approved “Breathless,” hometown favourite “7,” or soul searching “Lighthouse,” heard round the world closing Angelina Jolie’s Those Who Wish Me Dead, he’s traveled the road from Peguis First Nation to playing sold out shows across continents.