Patty Smyth’s latest song pays tribute to her marriage to John McEnroe, which has lasted more than two decades.

The former Scandal frontwoman’s first album of original music in 28 years, It’s About Time, will be out on October 9. She’s just released a new track from it called “Build a Fire,” which was inspired by her relationship with her tennis star husband.

“John and I have been together almost 25 years,” says Patty. “I’m surprised we still have this chemistry going. We still have this strong bond to each other, but that’s what ‘Build a Fire’ is about. The deeper you go with somebody, the deeper your fire can get.”

Smyth and McEnroe first met in 1993; their daughter was born in 1995 and they married in 1997.  They had another daughter together and raised their two girls along with Ruby, Patty’s daughter from her first marriage to punk icon Richard Hell, and John’s three children with his first wife, Tatum O’Neal.

It’s About Time includes six new original songs, as well as covers of Bobbie Gentry‘s “Ode to Billie Joe” and Tom Waits‘ “Downtown Train.”

By Andrea Dresdale
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