Friends Don't

Album: One Heart to Another (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jon Nite and Justin Ebach helped Maddie and Tae write this song, which describes a platonic relationship where the feelings for one another may be starting to develop into something more.

    They don't almost say I love you
    When they're downtown somewhere just a little drunk
    They don't talk about the future
    And put each other in it
    And get chills with every accidental touch


    This is the first track of a kind of concept album that starts with a friendship, which develops into a romantic relationship, before a breakup and eventual independence.
  • Maddie Marlow said the lyrics are based on fact:

    "So, the story behind our song 'Friends Don't' is actually my sister's story. My little sister back home in Texas was kind of dating this guy and they're kind of in the friend's zone, but they like each other, but they really didn't know what was going on. And so, Tae and I got inspired by her story and wrote it. She kinda gets frustrated when we write songs about her, but I know she secretly likes it." [laughs]
  • The video was shot in Nashville with director TK McKamy and mirrors the flirtatious uncertainty that comes at the beginning of relationships. Both Maddie & Tae get their own storyline - and their own romance – during the clip.

    "To us 'Friends Don't' feels sexy and confident, but with a dash of that uncertainty you have at the start of a relationship because you don't know if the other person feels the same way you do," shared Dye. "We wanted to play off that push and pull we've all felt before."

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.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.