Can't Say No

Album: Contrast (2012)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Brighton-born pop singer Conor Maynard started accumulating a fan base after he started posting videos to YouTube of his performing various cover versions. Such was the popularity of his interpretations of hits by such stars as Chris Brown and Katy Perry that on January 31, 2012, Conor was unveiled as the winner of MTV's Brand New: For 2012 competition. The teenage singer beat a shortlist of nine other nominated artists, including Delilah, Michael Kiwanuka and Lana Del Rey receiving approximately 45% of the 150,000 votes. It was revealed the following month that Conor had been signed to label EMI subsidiary, Parlophone, since late 2011. This is his debut single, which was initially released on March 2, 2012 in Belgium and later in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2012.
  • Conor wrote the song with London-based songwriting and production trio, The Invisible Men. The team comprises former members of the American rock band Orson - Jason Pebworth and George Astasio - who are best known for their 2006 UK #1 single, "No Tomorrow." The third member is Jon Shave, who as a one time member of Xenomania, contributed to a series of top 10 singles, including Girls Aloud's #2 hit, "The Show."

    The Invisible Men's credits include collaborating with Jessie J on her debut hit, "Do It Like a Dude" and DJ Fresh's UK #1 single, "Hot Right Now."
  • Conor explained to The Sun why he decided to title the album Contrast. "There are a few reasons," he said. "It plays on my first name, Conor/Contrast. But also I feel like it's not what people were expecting. It's quite urban and has hip hop beats and there is a real contrast between the songs."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

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

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."