So Much More Than This

Album: Just The Beginning (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Grace VanderWaal wrote this feisty stomper with Derek Fuhrmann and Gregg Wattenberg. The pair also co-wrote Phillip Phillips' hit tune "Gone, Gone, Gone."
  • The song's positive message was inspired by the teenage singer's frustration over all the negative messages she was hearing over the airwaves. "I was in the car going to the producing session, and the radio was on," VanderWaal told MTV News. "It's all about love and hatred and people who are mean to you - just seems like all songs on the radio are like that."

    When VanderWaal got to the studio to the studio, she decided to write an extremely upbeat message in mind, which she summarized as: "You just gotta find what makes you happy."
  • While VanderWaal was working on the hook, one of the co-writers was scrolling through Instagram. This led the songstress to include the lyric "close your phone and breathe in the air" in the chorus.

    "Everyone thinks that it's about technology," she said, "and that was a split decision to put that in just because I saw the producer on their phone."
  • Grace VanderWaal explained the song's meaning: "'So Much More' is about realizing that there are so much more to life than being wrapped up in drama, social media and things that will not matter later," she said. "It's about being able to get out of that and see the greater picture in what will make you happy. Realize that there's so much more than what you're getting caught up on."

Comments: 3

  • Adriana(big Fan!!!!!!) from BaywoodI luv Moonlight and So Much More! SOOOOO MUCH!
  • Adriana (big Fan!!!!!!!) from Bay WoodU R Awesome!!!
  • Bb Girl from Calgrylove this song too much
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."