COVERS of Jimmy Cliff’s Rebel In Me and Bed of Roses by Bon Jovi earned Noddy Virtue a cult following. But recently, the singer has taken things into his own hands.

He wrote his latest song, Permanent Screw, as well as Love Jah and Mistaken Identity which are expected to be released soon. According to Virtue, going original represents a new phase in his career.

“Cover songs are good because they help get yuh name out there but the key is writing your own songs. It’s important as a artiste to benefit from publishing an’ earn royalties,” he said.

The songs are from Addiction, his second album, which came out last year. His performance of Rebel in Me made Virtue a crowd favourite during the inaugural Digicel Rising Stars contest in 2004. He was runner-up to singer Christopher Martin.

He followed up with his take on the Bon Jovi power ballad, Bed of Roses, which was also popular on local radio. Permanent Screw is produced by Trevor Elliott out of New York City.

“Is about a man who lose him woman… somebody I know, actually. Wi jus’ create a energy roun’ it an’ it come out well,” said Virtue.

He has not given up entirely on covers. He recently recorded a version of Neil Diamond’s Play Me for producer Lloyd ‘King Jammys’ James.

— Howard Campbell