No Man Is An Island

Album: Freedom Child (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The opening track of Freedom Child, this finds The Script delving into piano-driven EDM. Guitarist Mark Sheehan explained the move was intended to fit into 2017's music climate.

    "They're favouring EDM and electronic on radio, so how as a band, do we fit in?" he told OfficialCharts.com. "It really a case of adapt and change or die. Look at people like Royal Blood – they're a great example of the change. They've made their heavy sound more edible on their new album. Even The Killers and Imagine Dragons."
  • The phrase "No man is an island", was originated by the English divine John Donne. He wrote in Meditation XVII:

    No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

    Donne is asserting that people need each other – we cannot exist independently from others or interactions.

    Simon & Garfunkel's "I Am A Rock," with its lyric "I am an island," was likely derived from the piece as well.
  • Vocalist Danny O'Donoghue explained in a track-by-track interview with The Independent how they made this song The Script's take on modern EDM music.

    "We had been looking at everything that had been playing in the charts and we were thinking how do we get a band involved in this? How do we get those punk guitars and a beat to go with it, and then also have a heartfelt song about a guy that who thinks he's too cool to fall in love or he wants to spend all time living on this island. What you find from the eternal wisdom of women is that is no man is an island and love will always get in you in end. There is a lot of energy in this track!"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.