Album: Loosen Up The Leash (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Used" is the first single from Loosen Up The Leash, the debut full-length from Strangers You Know, which is the duo of Adam Haagen and Grady Lee. The song finds lead singer Grady Lee frustrated and feeling used, as he's being honest in the relationship and his partner isn't.

    When we spoke with the duo, Grady explained that their songs typically start with him getting his heart broken and wallowing in pity. From there, they get to work in the studio creating layers of sounds to fit the lyric.
  • At the Coachella festival in 2016, the group performed this song with the UCLA Philharmonia. Haagen told us: "The main first chair violinist, Camille Miller, made a score for our record that she played on, but all the other players just came to perform live with us. All the harmonies and everything, we did live. It's all very unique to the live setting. It's very different."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.