Louis York & PJ Morton Are Fools For Love In ‘Puppet Strings’

Photo Credit: Jae Hale

Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony are movements by themselves, but they are a magical, musical force together as Louis York. The GRAMMY Award-winning, singing, songwriting and producing duo is even more unstoppable when they combine their prodigious talents with other equally impressive artists, many of whom they call friends. As they prep for the summer release of their forthcoming EP Songs With Friends, Louis York gives us another tantalizing taste of the highly anticipated project with the single “Puppet Strings” featuring their friend and ours PJ Morton.

“Puppet Strings” finds Louis York and PJ lamenting the relatable duality of the love/hate nature of catching feelings for the wrong one over a track that sounds like Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie were in the studio with them – in 1984.

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Claude kicks it off by sharing how his love interest has got him going through changes. “I don’t like you, but I do love you / I don’t want you, but I need you / After all the crazy you’ve put me through / I don’t know why I can’t leave you,” he sings, at a loss for why he doesn’t just walk away. 

PJ comes in, co-signing the realness of the struggle. “I don’t lie the way she gets in my head/ I don’t like the magic she uses on me / And after all of the dirty things you’ve said / Somehow I can’t get you out of my dreams,” PJ sings, commiserating with his homie. 

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The two empathize on the bridge. “How did I end up being her puppet? / How did end up being her favorite pawn? / Starting to think that I might love it / Use me any way you want / Use me any way you want,” they each sing, ostensibly giving in to her spell.

The accompanying video, directed by Jae Hale for Blue Jae Films, opens with Claude sitting casually on a stool behind a microphone stand situated in front of a brown leather couch. Clad from head-to-toe in black like his two compadres, the scene is lit with a soft red light that creates a brownish monochromatic mood. Plants, brass lamps, an ornate rug and Chuck and PJ seated at dueling Wurlitzers complete the subtle simplicity of the scene. 

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As Claude sings the chorus, the scene shifts to the three seated at a table chatting and cooking up this soulful bop with pop appeal. In the next scene, we’re inside New Orleans visual artist Jay McKay’s HUES Studio where they meet with the artist and view some of his vibrant artwork. The video flows interchanging between these three settings. 

Morton expressed his excitement about the single in a press release. “I’ve known Chuck and Claude for many years. I’m happy we finally get to work together on something,” PJ stated. “When they brought ‘Puppet Strings’ to me I loved it instantly.” We couldn’t agree more – we were smitten at our first listen, too. 

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“Puppet Strings” is the fourth single from Songs With Friends. Co-written and produced by Louis York and PJ Morton, the track follows a trio of acclaimed tracks: “Three Little Words” featuring Tamia, “Alone A Lot” with Anthony Hamilton and “Heaven Bound” with their girl Jessie J

Louis York continues to raise the bar with each new track that they drop from Songs With Friends. We absolutely, positively cannot wait to hear the complete project. Listen to and watch “Puppet Strings” featuring PJ Morton below, and join us in placing the song in heavy rotation as we anxiously await the EP.

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