Chewing Gum

Album: Modern Love (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Nina Nesbitt's first new release since her 2014 debut album Peroxide finds the formerly guitar playing singer being re-branded into a pop vixen. The electro tune is accompanied by a steamy and risqué music video that even includes a saucy shower scene.

    Nesbitt said: "It's a big departure from the 17-year-old girl with an acoustic guitar but it feels like the most honest music I've written.

    I've been left alone to do whatever I want without anyone breathing down my neck saying, 'That's not you', or trying to water it down. I've spent the past two years living with friends in London and sonically documenting it."
  • Nesbitt compares a relationship here to chewing gum. The singer has hooked up with the guy for a little fun, and she warns him the relationship "won't be forever." As soon as the flavor's gone, Nesbitt will discard him. She explained: "'Chewing Gum' is an empowering track that I wrote about the transient types of relationships people have when they're trying to figure out what they want and they're not ready to fully commit."
  • Here are some chewing gum fun facts from The Encyclopedia of Trivia:

    Six thousand years ago, chewing gum was being made in Sweden by heating birch bark inside a sealed container to make a chewy tar. Children and teenagers were the main users, and its purpose was help get rid of milk teeth.

    For centuries Native American Indians chewed spruce tree resin, to ease hunger pains. When the New World colonists arrived, they started copying them.

    State of Maine Spruce Gum, invented by John B Curtis in 1848 was the first chewing gum to be sold commercially in America. However it was not a success as it’s taste was too harsh and texture too tough.

    John Colgan, a druggist from Louisville, Kentucky added in 1880 licorice flavor to chicle, thus introducing flavored chewing gum.

    The first brand of Wrigley's chewing gum was called "Vassar", after the New England woman's college. Next were "Lotta" and "Sweet Sixteen Orange."

    The chewing gum Juicy Fruit has ten calories. This is approximately the same as a bite of whole wheat bread.

    Disneyland doesn't sell chewing gum as Walt Disney didn't want guests inconvenienced by stepping on gum in the park.

    The king of skiffle Lonnie Donegan had a transatlantic hit in 1961 with the novelty song "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night)."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.