Back to You

Album: Single release only (2017)
Charted: 8 40
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Louis Tomlinson is joined on this electro-pop track by American singer Bebe Rexha. The producer Nick Gale, a.k.a. Digital Farm Animals, also gets a featured credit. The British DJ is best known for his work on Dua Lipa's "Be The One" and Galantis' "No Money" plus his own single with Cash Cash "Millionaire."
  • The song finds Tomlinson lamenting about a girl he can't get out of his mind, even though his friends are urging him to move on. Bebe Rexha's lyrics are equally tortured as she explains why she can't let go of their toxic relationship. Tomlinson said:

    "We wanted to write something a little less soppy. It's about that one person that, no matter how hard you try, you keep coming back to."
  • Even though this is Louis Tomlinson's first solo single it starts with Bebe Rexha, singing the entire first verse. He explained to the BBC: "We recorded a version where I sang first - but you've got to do what's best by the song. With the emotion she gives it, and the way she opens up the song, it always had to be her, really."
  • Nick Gale told Billboard the story behind the song.

    "I was working with (Manchester-based songwriting collective) The Six, and one of them is a phenomenal keyboardist. We were in a '60s-era mindset, jamming, and came up with that melody."

    When Gale heard Tomlinson was looking for tracks, they, "brought it to him and personalized it for what he does."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.