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

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?