The Way I Love You

Album: released as a single (2025)
Charted: 39
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "The Way I Love You" is a tune built on one of the oldest and most bewildering feelings known to humankind: the act of loving someone who might not entirely know what to do with it. In the song, Jorja Smith gently interrogates a relationship that seems to be fraying at the seams. She's not wailing. She's wondering. What's going on here? Are we alright? And most crucially, are we loving each other the same amount or has one of us subtly ducked out through the side door?
  • Smith's lyrics feel lived in, and while she hasn't said outright that "The Way I Love You" is autobiographical, it certainly gives off the vibe of someone who's had at least one long stare out of a rainy window.
  • Ed Thomas, Maverick Sabre, and Skayk (a new name on the marquee) helped shape the song's club-ready, energetic sound.

    Ed Thomas is a London-based songwriter and producer known for his soulful, genre-blending approach. He has a longstanding working relationship with Jorja Smith, having co-written and co-produced several of her tracks, including "On My Mind" and "Let Me Down."

    Maverick Sabre (real name Michael Stafford) is best remembered for his hit single "Let Me Go," which reached the UK Top 20 in 2011. He and Smith have previously worked together in various creative contexts, both as collaborators ("Little Things," "High") and live performers.

    Jorja Smith told BBC Radio 1 that Maverick Sabre is one of her favorite songwriting partners: "I love just linking up with Maverick, chatting and chatting can turn into a song. We could just have a random conversation and end up writing something about that, but I've always looked up to him."
  • The four songwriters dipped their collective toes into the genre pool marked "Bassline," a distinctly British sort of dance music. Originating in the early 2000s in the North and Midlands of England, Bassline is a mixture of syncopated beats, wobbling bass, and soulful vocals.

    "We've tapped into Bassline on this one," Smith told BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders. "Do you know when I was making the tune, I definitely was like, transported to just starting secondary school. That's how I felt."
  • The music video, directed by KC Locke (Ed Sheeran, Little Mix), sees Smith dancing and performing in a dimly lit rave. There's a fur coat, fast driving, an lots of sultry lighting.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.