Still Got the Fire: Nic Bearde’s Blues-Bending Revival "Never Say Die"

Nic Bearde is back - and honestly, it feels like welcoming an old friend home. After nearly ten years without a release, the legendary singer and storyteller returns with “Never Say Die,” a track that reminds you exactly why his voice has been loved from Nashville to Tokyo for more than three decades.

If you've ever heard Bearde perform, you know the deal: that velvet-smooth tone, the effortless charm, the kind of presence that makes every room feel just a bit warmer. He grew up on late-night radio and the classics, think Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, and over the years people have compared his sound to Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole, even Bill Withers. Not bad company.

What makes “Never Say Die” so fun is that it’s not just a return, it’s a bit of a surprise. The song comes out of a new project he’s been building with longtime collaborator Tom Donald and the team at hiTrecords. Instead of sticking to familiar territory, Bearde leans into a spoken-word, almost rhythmic storytelling style. He jokes that he never thought he'd make anything close to a “rap” record, and he’s right, this isn’t that. But it is a clever, honest way to talk about aging with attitude and refusing to fade quietly into the background.

The music keeps things lively, mixing funk, blues, and rock with bright brass, warm piano, smooth guitar, and backing vocals that lift everything just enough. And if you watch the video, you’ll see exactly how it all came together: a room full of musicians laughing, playing, and clearly having the time of their lives. It’s infectious.

With “Never Say Die,” Nic Bearde shows he’s still evolving, still experimenting, and still very much in the game. It’s a joyful, spirited return from an artist who proves that real soul doesn’t age, it just gets better.

Watch the video for "Never Say Die" now: