Colin Hay tackles favorite songs on next album, announces summer tour

Colin Hay embarks on a tour next month that starts in Hyannis, Massachusetts and concludes in September in Redondo Beach, California (see below for all dates).

The Men at Work frontman, longtime solo artist and frequent member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band's love for music started in his native Scotland, where, working at his parents' record store, he heard all the hits of the day, from the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” and the Faces’ “Ooh La La” to Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself.”

At home during quarantine in early 2021, he read that Gerry Marsden had died and found himself strumming the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Merseybeat hit, “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” He decided to turn on the tape machines and share with his frequent collaborator/producer, Chad Fischer, who asked for more of the same.

Thus followed the recording of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, a new studio album set for August 6 release featuring 10 versions of some of Colin’s particular favorites — songs tied to memories and eras in his life. Most of the songs are from the ’60s, but Hay also does a version of Scottish group Del Amitri’s “Driving With the Brakes On,” which he says in a press release is “simply one of the best songs ever written.”

In addition to I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, Hay is at work on a collection of originals. Those who attend his summer shows may get a preview of those songs, as well as a retrospective of his Men at Work and solo years.

Hay says in the press release, "I recorded an album of songs written by other people that have meant a lot to me ever since I was a young fellow. I can’t wait to play them for you on this upcoming jaunt across the land. Old songs, new songs, and everything in between. It will be good to again make a good noise after so long, and transport you to a place of beauty, hope and wonder.”

Track Listing:

1. I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself (Burt Bacharach/Hal David)
2. Waterloo Sunset (Ray Davies)
3. Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb)
4. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
5. Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying (Gerard Marsden/Fred Marsden, Les Chadwick, Leo Mcguire)
6. Ooh La La (Ronnie Lane/Ron Wood)
7. Driving With The Brakes On (Justin Currie)
8. Across the Universe (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
9. Can’t Find My Way Home (Stevie Winwood)
10. Many Rivers to Cross (Jimmy Cliff)

Tour dates:

Wed., Aug. 4 HYANNIS, MA Cape Cod Melody Tent

Thu., Aug. 5 COHASSET, MA South Shore Music Circus

Fri., Aug. 6 SALISBURY, MA Blue Ocean Music Hall
Sat., Aug. 7 LOWELL, MA Boarding House Park
Sun., Aug. 8 HAMMONDSPORT, NY Point of the Bluff Vineyards
Tues., Aug. 10 OCEAN CITY, NJ Ocean City Music Pier
Wed., Aug. 11 BETHLEHEM, PA Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza
Fri., Aug. 13 RIDGEFIELD, CT Ridgefield Playhouse
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 14-15 NEW YORK, NY City Winery New York
Tues.-Wed., Aug. 17-18 ALEXANDRIA, VA Birchmere
Thurs., Aug. 19 CHARLOTTE, NC McGlohan Theater
Fri., Aug. 20 ATLANTA, GA City Winery Atlanta
Sat., Aug. 21 PELHAM, TN The Caverns
Thurs., Aug. 26 GRAND RAPIDS, MI Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Sat., Aug. 28 WASHBURN, WI Big Top Chautauqua
Sun., Aug. 29 CHICAGO, IL Park West
Wed., Sept. 1 ARVADA, CO Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Thu., Sept. 2 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Red Butte Garden
Sat., Sept. 11 REDONDO BEACH, CA BeachLife Festival 2021