Half As Good As You
by Tom Odell (featuring Alice Merton)

Album: Jubilee Road (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tom Odell told The Sun this song is "about two musicians who are madly in love but can't be together. They're trying to find consolation in each other's music but really they're just torturing themselves."
  • Odell had already written the song as a solo number, but as he finished recording Jubilee Road he realized that it could work differently. He recruited as a duet partner the German-born singer-songwriter Alice Merton, who is best known for her song "No Roots," a hit throughout Europe as well as reaching #1 on America's Alternative Songs chart.

    "It was as simple as changing a verse from 'he' to 'she.' When I did that, it made even more sense as a duet," Odell told The Evening Standard. "It suddenly occurred to me that it could be two singers talking about one another."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.