Mean What I Mean

Album: I Remember (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This reggaeton-tinged track was written by AlunaGeorge's Aluna Francis with synth-punk singer-songwriter Amanda Warner, who records under the name of MNDR. Warner is best known for her collaboration with Mark Ronson, "Bang Bang Bang."
  • The song came from a real situation that Francis went through, where she was trying to fend off an intimidating person making advances. She explained to BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac that the guy wouldn't take no for an answer:

    "It's a very genuine place I'm singing from. I was in a situation, I said 'no'; and the person I was like, 'I know what you mean, and you mean yeah because you're just playing hard to get'. I freaked out. I was like, 'Oh My God, I've got to get out of here!'

    You go through these situations and, at the time, I personally don't think to myself 'oh, this is going to be great material'. I'm in the moment and I'm freaking out or I'm having trouble or whatever. Then you're in the studio and you've still got those feelings from that situation, that you didn't resolve quite as well as you'd like to have done. And that's where I really pull my lyrics from. Like, OK, if I went back to that situation, what would I have needed to handle it better? And that's where this song really comes from."
  • The track also features verses from Chicago singer and rapper Dreezy and Brooklyn MC Leikeli47.
  • Want another song with a similar theme of a girl fending off unwanted advances? How about Meghan Trainor's "No."
  • Francis told the BBC she wanted throw in the feel-good factor to enhance the song's power. She explained to the BBC: "That adds in the [idea that] I've already won. I live in 2016, so what I'm going to do is apply what I've learned to this situation and enjoy the results."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.