Fair

Album: single release only (2022)
Charted: 115
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • We all know breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes moving on can be even harder. During this slow-simmering ballad, Normani questions whether its "fair" her ex is enjoying his life without her, while 200 days after their split, she still can't stop thinking about him.
  • Is it fair that you moved on?
    'Cause I swear that I haven't
    Is it right that you've grown
    And I'm still stuck in habits?


    The song captures Normani in one of her most vulnerable moments. "Literally went through every possible emotion one could feel when experiencing heartbreak," the former Fifth Harmony singer said. "Love is scary as hell especially when it seems like the other person has effortlessly moved on and you just can't seem to, no matter how hard you try. My heart was also going through it like many of yours have."
  • Normani wrote the deep-bass R&B ballad with:

    English singer-songwriter Abby "Absolutely" Keen. The sister of singer-songwriter Raye ("Decline," "Love Me Again"), she's also co-penned songs for Tinashe ("333") and Jesy Nelson (Boyz").

    Justin Bieber producer Bernard "Harv" Harvey. He also helmed this track.

    Cherish group member and Harv's wife, Felisha King Harvey. Besides being a member of the R&B group, Felish King Harvey has also co-penned songs with her husband for the likes of Sevyn Streeter ("Before I Do") and Justin Bieber ("Peaches").
  • Normani performed "Fair" for the first time on live television during the March 17, 2022 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
  • Harv wanted to create a song with substance, showing Normani to be an artist with genuine emotions and feelings. "I think 'Fair' was just tapping into like her sensuality and her femininity, and if you listen to it, you can tell she's being vulnerable," he told Consequence. "It's her coming into her own as an artist and her music. It's passion. It's heartfelt. It's her feelings. So, I just wanted to find a way to convey that with her musically, and while working with her, I wanted to bring that out of her."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."