Sweet Talker
by Years & Years (featuring Galantis)

Album: Night Call (2021)
Charted: 26
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Sweet Talker" is a romantic dancefloor anthem that finds Olly Alexander being enticed by a dreamboat. The guy has a smooth line of conversation and the singer falls for his charms. However, something is warning him he is not to be trusted. "I know I feel like everybody's met a sweet talker before in their life, someone that you know, chat a lot of sweet stuff to you, promises your good things, but maybe is a little lacking," Alexander told BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo. "You know, when it comes to when it comes down to it or kind of all leads you in the lurch. It can be a whole array of different things. But I also just love that word Sweet Talker. So I wanted to write the song about it."
  • The song is a dance banger featuring production by Galantis. Inspired by yearning tracks by artists such as Robyn, Years & Years wanted something that could be played in the club. After the Swedish trio heard the demo, they added disco flourishes to accompany Alexander's aching vocals.
  • Alexander recorded the song for Night Call, the third studio album by Years & Years. It marks the first album release of Years & Years as Alexander's solo project following the departure of Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen.
  • Sophia Ray directed the video, which is a surreal, playful twist on fairy tales. Alexander and Ray developed the storyline of the singer trapped in an enchanted castle. "The concept behind the video takes the Greek mythical tale of King Midas," said the director, "and turns it on its head, where Olly finds a magic sword in his escape through this castle, that turns anyone he slays into candy."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?