Johnny Depp has seemingly taken inspiration from his past relationship with Amber Heard to pen two scathing new songs on his forthcoming album with Jeff Beck.
In a review of the record, slated to be released on July 15, by The Sunday Times, the 59-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean actor sings: ‘I think you’ve said enough for one motherf***ing night.’
Another track features him describing a former partner as ‘sitting there like a dog with a seven-year itch’ before he croons: ‘If I had a dime, it wouldn’t reach your hand.’
Finding solace in music: Johnny Depp has seemingly taken inspiration from his past relationship with Amber Heard to pen two scathing new songs on his forthcoming album with Jeff Beck; seen in 2014
Earlier this month, following his massive victory in his defamation trial against the Aquaman star, 36, Depp confirmed he has teamed up with the legendary guitarist to record a 13-track collection.
The project, titled 18, includes two new Depp originals and an eclectic mix of cover songs ranging from such iconic artists as the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon to alternative rockers such as Killing Joke and The Velvet Underground.
‘When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity. We would joke about how we felt 18 again so that just became the album title too,’ Beck, 77, said in a statement about the album, as reported by Billboard.
Not holding back: In a review of the record, slated to be released on July 15, by The Sunday Times, the 59-year-old sings: ‘I think you’ve said enough for one motherf***ing night’ (pictured performing with Beck last month)
In keeping with their fond teenage memories that were sparked by the music, the two artists decided to use an illustration of themselves as 18-year-olds, drawn by Beck’s wife Sandra, for the album cover.
For Depp, who grew up listening to Beck’s music, the collaboration is something of a dream come true.
‘It’s an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother,’ Depp added in their statement.
The inspiration? Another track features him describing a former partner as ‘sitting there like a dog with a seven-year itch’ before he croons: ‘If I had a dime, it wouldn’t reach your hand’ (Heard seen during their defamation trial in June 2022)
Trying to move on: Earlier this month, following his massive victory in his defamation trial against the Aquaman star, 36, Depp confirmed he has teamed up with the legendary guitarist to record a 13-track collection; seen last month
The duo first met in 2016, and quickly bonded over conversations about guitars and cars, all while trying to make each other laugh.
Over the years Beck began to appreciate Depp’s songwriting abilities, which led to the former Yardbirds guitarist to play on a song, Welcome To Bushwacker, that appeared on the Hollywood Vampires’ album Rise (2019). Depp co-founded the supergroup in 2012 along with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.
Seeing Depp’s musical talent up-close and sensing their chemistry was undeniable, it was Beck who suggested they record songs that would eventually make up ’18’.
While in the recording studio, Beck says they challenged each other, in part, by picking certain songs to cover for the album.
Rocky romance: Depp and Heard first met on the set of The Rum, got engaged in 2014 and wed the following year on his private island; seen in 2011
‘I haven’t had another creative partner like him for ages,’ Beck confessed, adding, ‘He was a major force on this record. I just hope people will take him seriously as a musician because it’s a hard thing for some people to accept that Johnny Depp can sing rock and roll.’
Beck also offered high praise for one of the Depp originals – This Is A Song For Miss Hedy Lamarr – that made the cut to be on the album.
‘I was blown away by it,’ the Jeff Beck Group star revealed. ‘That song is one of the reasons I asked him to make an album with me.’
Depp’s abilities as a musician can be heard on such covers as Caroline, No by the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye’s Ooo Baby Baby, Venus In Furs from The Velvet Underground and Killing Joke’s Death And Resurrection Show.
The Beck-Depp album ’18’ will be released digitally and on CD on July 15, and then be followed up by a vinyl edition on September 30.
