Mary Simone’s voice doesn’t just sing—it soars, aches, and gently clutches your heart with a sincerity that’s impossible to fake. On her latest cover release, “Scared To Be Lonely”, dropped April 11, 2025, the Bahamian-born singer breathes new life into the Dua Lipa and Martin Garrix hit, trading synth drops for slide guitars and turning late-night dancefloor introspection into something far more raw, grounded, and enduring.
If the original was a neon-lit cry into the void of post-breakup confusion, Mary Simone’s version feels like a lonely drive down a dust-blown highway at dusk—still bruised, still aching, but with a steady hand on the wheel. It’s not just a cover. It’s a transformation.
Produced by the legendary Stephen Webber, known for his knack for pulling truth from the bones of any genre, the track was recorded at none other than Power Station in New York City—a studio with its own heartbeat, having once hosted the likes of David Bowie for “Let’s Dance.” That same spirit of fearless reinvention runs through Simone’s cover. Instead of trying to outdo the original’s energy, she redefines its soul.
Webber strips the song down to its emotional skeleton, building it back up with earthy Americana textures that surprise and soothe in equal measure. The star-studded band brings the vision to life with elegance and taste: Michael Olatuja’s bass adds a velvet undercurrent, Devon Yesberger’s keyboard work floats like candlelight in a dark room, Jamie Eblen keeps the heartbeat with intuitive drumming, and Webber himself adds subtle, moody guitars that shimmer without showing off.
But make no mistake—this is Mary Simone’s show. Her voice has a lived-in richness, like someone who’s known love and loss intimately, but still chooses to show up with openness and grace. She doesn’t belt for effect. She doesn’t lean on vocal gymnastics. Instead, she interprets, giving the lyrics space to breathe, allowing every line to feel like a confession whispered across a quiet table for two. When she asks, “Is the only reason you’re holding me tonight ‘cause we’re scared to be lonely?” it lands like a soft punch to the gut—honest, devastating, and completely human.
The engineering work by Gloria Kaba is warm and inviting, capturing every nuance of Mary’s performance with intimacy. Ian Kagey’s mix is spacious without being sparse, honoring the song’s emotional weight while still making room for each instrument to shine. Together, they’ve created a version of “Scared To Be Lonely” that feels like it always belonged in this world, even if it began in another.
As Mary inches closer to completing her EP—with just one more song to go—this single feels like a powerful statement of intent. She’s not just covering songs. She’s curating emotional experiences, guiding listeners through familiar stories told in unfamiliar but deeply resonant ways. Each release seems to dig a little deeper, suggesting that this rising artist isn’t just passing through—she’s building something lasting, brick by soulful brick.
In a time when attention spans are short and music often feels disposable, Mary Simone reminds us that great songs don’t expire—they evolve. And sometimes, all it takes is a bold voice and a new perspective to turn something we’ve heard a hundred times into something we’ll never forget. With “Scared To Be Lonely,” Mary doesn’t just cover a hit—she reclaims it.
