Call Me What You Like

Album: Wake Up & It's Over (2023)
Charted: 32
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lovejoy lead vocalist Wilbur Soot is in love with a girl, but isn't sure if she shares his feelings. They still engage in a physical relationship even though it negatively affects his self-esteem.

    You could kiss the skin
    From my lips if it makes you feel good
    I'm not sure if you want it
    Not sure if you need me, too


    Soot wants to maintain the association regardless of the emotional toll it takes. He wants her to be with him tonight, and he fantasizes about being the only man she sees.

    I like to think that I'm
    The only guy she'll see tonight
    You can call me what you like
    As long as you call me


    Soot still hopes that she will reach out to him, regardless of the role she assigns to him. This explains the song title "Call Me What You Like."
  • According to Soot, the song concerns a romantic association where the couple aren't yet officially going out with each other. "It's about the phase in any kind of relationship that isn't a relationship yet, where you're not sure of the 'what are we?'" he said. "That idea that you want it to be more than just a fling but you're struggling with the commitment."
  • Wilbur Soot's lyrics are often comedic, casting him as a hopeless romantic. Here he finds himself in his ex-girlfriend's mum's bedroom.

    So I find myself in your mum's bedroom
    Fighting with the pink roller blinds
    It's on pay-per-view
    Place your bets on who's lost their mind


    Asked by Billboard what the line meant, Soot laughed, "I'm not necessarily sure, In that song I just find myself thinking a lot about her mom's bathroom and going through the drawers."
  • Soot is unusually tall - 6' 6" – so he's often in danger of hitting his head on doorframes. Here, he uses this to illustrate how little his love interest thinks of him.

    Just let me follow you
    And I'll proceed to bang my head on every doorway and doorframe
    You see suitable for us to go through


    The woman doesn't seem concerned about Wilbur's tendency to hit his head on doorframes. The line also serves as an analogy for Soot's willingness to pursue a girl who may not reciprocate his interest. He admits that her way of life may be incompatible with his own and likens his pursuit to being squeezed through narrow doorways. Nonetheless, she leads him on without regard for the harm it may cause, and he persists in following her despite being aware of the consequences.
  • Soot co-wrote "Call Me What You Like" with his Lovejoy bandmates: guitarist Joe Goldsmith, bassist Ash Kabosu, and drummer Mark Boardman.
  • Bastille's go-to producers Mark Crew and Dan Priddy produced the track. It's their first collaboration with Lovejoy.
  • Lovejoy first performed "Call Me What You Like" at the October 6, 2022, Liverpool show on the Northern Autumn Tour, asking the audience not to record it so it wouldn't show up online. It was released as a single on February 10, 2023.
  • Soot and Ash Kabosu co-directed the video, which shows the singer in a miniature plane operated by WU&IO Airlines. The flight starts off normally but descends into chaos, and the plane crashes into the water. The clip symbolizes the turbulence of a relationship.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.