If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the 1975 | ||||
from the album Notes on a Conditional Form | ||||
Released | 23 April 2020 | |||
Genre |
| |||
Length | 5:19 3:59 (radio edit) | |||
Label | ||||
Adam Hann | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
The 1975 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" on YouTube |
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" is a song by English band the 1975 from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was released on 23 April 2020 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the sixth single from the album. It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Production of the song was handled by Daniel and Healy alongside Jonathan Gilmore. FKA Twigs provides operatic background vocals on the song's ambient new-age introduction, Rashawn Ross performs the trumpet and flugelhorn in the choruses, and Bob Reynolds performs the tenor and alto saxophone solo in the bridge. Videos of the band performing the song were widely circulated on social media several months prior to its official release, quickly becoming a fan-favourite, and resulting in a high degree of anticipation among their fanbase.
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" is a pop and synth-pop song composed in a retro style that draws heavily from the music of the 1980s. Its instrumentation consists of high-octave alternative guitars, drumbeat kicks, brass horns, sparkling 1980s-style synths, and digital samples. The song's maximalist production combines elements of funk, techno, indie pop, dance music and pop rock in its composition. Lyrically, the song details Healy's growing obsession and sexual encounters with a woman he meets on the internet. In its exploration of online relationships, the song deals with themes of technology, cybersex, dependency and despondency. The song drew comparisons to the soundtracks of John Hughes' coming-of-age films, the works of Tears for Fears, Duran Duran and Bruce Springsteen, and the 1975's own pop-oriented tracks.
Upon release, "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" was acclaimed by
Background and release
In an interview with John Kennedy of Radio X, Healy called "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" a "Frankenstein" song. Explaining further, the singer noted that more demos and different versions were created for "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" than any of the band's previous tracks. The final version was created using four separate pieces and underwent one of the most exhaustive recording processes for Notes on a Conditional Form.[1] The intro began as an ambient song in the vein of the Durruti Column, using a sample of an opera singer. The chorus of "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" had already been written for a different song, and Healy was attempting to use the chords of its chorus to write a verse. Feeling frustrated with writer's block, Healy re-listened to the ambient piece and decided to combine it with "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)", giving the track an additional verse. The singer told Daniel: "We should make that fucking stomping, like Tears for Fears", and the two created the final version.[2] Once the pair had completed it, they invited FKA Twigs to record the operatic vocals, to which she agreed.[3] Speaking to Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork, Healy compared "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" to a jigsaw puzzle that took time to put together, which he said "happens once [an album]".[2]
"I'm not gonna talk shit on the amazing people that are fucking excited about our music [...] I'm just saying that you can never predict what people are gonna be like, man. We played ["If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)"] and then after two nights we had like 20,000 people singing it live. People knew that shit before it was out and it was this huge thing people were obsessing about."
—Healy on the song's notoriety.[4]
Prior to its official release, the 1975 debuted "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" in Nottingham, England, on 15 February 2020, the opening night of their Music for Cars Tour in the United Kingdom.[5] The band performed the song again at the O2 Arena in London on 21 February 2020, backed by box-style television screens. In his review of the performance, Andrew Trendell of NME called it the most promising song on Notes on a Conditional Form "by far", noting the track would likely be released as a future single.[6] Videos of the 1975 performing "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" began circulating on social media platforms, quickly becoming a fan-favourite and earning it a cult following among fans of the band. For nearly two months, fans of the 1975 used social media in an effort to have the band officially release the song, replying to their content with messages such as ""Drop 'Too Shy"".[7] Healy himself recognized the anticipation, telling Brendan Wetmore of Paper he believed the band had an "inherent quality in our music that's really chimed in with people", which he attributed to the song's uplifting and self-reflective qualities.[4] On 21 April 2020, the band announced on Twitter that "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" would be released as the sixth single from Notes on a Conditional Form on 23 April 2020.[8] The full-length version was officially released on 23 April 2020 alongside a shortened radio edit.[9] Following its release, Healy jokingly revealed that they only released the song "'cause [their fans] wouldn't shut the fuck up about [it]".[4]
Music and lyrics
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" runs for a length of five minutes and nineteen seconds (5:19).
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" opens with a minute-long "ghostly"
Patricia Kolbe of Barricade Magazine compared "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" to the soundtracks of
Critical reception
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" was acclaimed by contemporary music critics upon its release and appeared on numerous year-end lists. Reviewers praised its 1980s-style production and embodiment of the 1975's signature sound, favourably comparing the song to the music of Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, and the Cure. In her review of Notes on a Conditional Form, Samantha Small of Consequence of Sound deemed "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" an "Essential Track".[33] In her review of the parent album for The New York Times, Zoladz called the song "irresistible".[34] Lizzie Mano of Paste deemed "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" the best song on Notes on a Conditional Form, calling the track "effortlessly catchy" and saying listeners "could play it endlessly without it tiring".[35] In his review of "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" for Dork, Ackroyd called it a "swaggering, hip shaking monster" and metaphorically compared the song to a musical lightning rod, "pulling down raw, crackling energy from the heavens".[7]
Claire Biddles of The Line of Best Fit declared "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" the best song on its parent album, saying "it shows that The 1975 haven't lost the ability to make a piercingly resonant song in whatever genre or form they wish to".[36] She opined that the song is emblematic of the band's signature sound, exemplified by a "hooky melody", an "effortless"-sounding multi-layered production, "a convincing pastiche of a micro-genre" and "deftly contemporary lyrics" that discuss the complexities of online and offline relationships.[36] Ross Horton of musicOMH said the song was evocative of the band's "classic" sound.[37] Sam Sodomsky of Pitchfork praised it as an album highlight, calling the song "the record's closest thing to a typical 1975 song—a glittery '80s arrangement, a ridiculous saxophone solo, a charmingly sleazy hook".[38] Paul Schrodt of Slant Magazine wrote it is: "A quintessential 1975 song [...] a bit of everything—a maximalism that the 1975 pulls off like almost no one else".[39] In another favourable review, Matt Collar of AllMusic wrote that "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" is the only track on Notes on a Conditional Form reminiscent of the 1975's eponymous debut studio album (2013), commending the 1980s nostalgia and saxophone solo.[10] Lauren Mullineaux of Beats Per Minute called it a "thrilling" example of the band's signature sound, commenting that the song places the listener in the leading role of a Hughes film.[40]
In her weekly Rolling Stone special "Song You Need To Know" column, Spanos commented that "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" and its message of communicating through video calls was especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. She humorously remarked that the song: "quickly joins an elite pantheon of catchy songs about virtual sex, like 'NSync's 'Digital Get Down' [(2000)] and Soulja Boy's 'Kiss Me thru the Phone' [(2008)]".[21] Conrad Duncan of Under the Radar gave the song a positive review, comparing it to Duran Duran and the Blue Nile and writing it "[combines] self-deprecating humor with sharp radio-friendly hooks".[41] Joe Rivers of No Ripcord called the track "the best song Simple Minds never wrote".[42] Chris Willman of Variety compared the song to "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and the duo Hall & Oates, praising the "essential corniness of an '80s MTV pastiche" and favourably calling it a "slightly weird" pop song.[43] The staff of Spin highlighted the song's successful implementation of 1980s music and ability to "document the sadness, hilarity, awkwardness and – just maybe – euphoria of the erotic Zoom call".[17] The editorial team at DIY extolled the use of 1980s synths, saxophones and "saucy" lyrics, declaring it a "gem" and "quite the insatiable jam".[18] Roisin O'Connor of The Independent observed similarities to the work of Tears for Fears and commended the song's "propulsive shuffle rhythm" and "twinkling synths".[44] In his review of the single for NME, Shutler called the track "shamelessly huge" and an instant classic. He wrote that it represents the band at their "glorious, gargantuan best", drawing similarities to the dark, melodic emo of Tears for Fears, the Cure and the music of John Hughes films.[25]
Year-end lists
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Eve Barlow (The Guardian) | Guardian Albums and Tracks of 2020 | — | |
Billboard | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 44
|
|
Coup de Main | The Best Songs Of 2020 | — | |
The Diamondback | The Top 20 Songs of 2020 | 13
|
|
DIY | DIY's Tracks of 2020 | 4
|
|
Jacob Ganz (NPR) | The Best Music Of 2020: NPR Staff Picks | 6
|
|
Alim Kheraj (The Guardian) | Guardian Albums and Tracks of 2020 | — | |
Scott Lapatine (Stereogum) | Stereogum's 60 Favorite Songs Of 2020 | 1
|
|
The Line of Best Fit | The Best Songs of 2020 Ranked | 17
|
|
NME | The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | 22
|
|
NPR | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 90
|
|
Edwin Ortiz (Complex) | Our Favorite Songs and Albums of 2020 | 1
|
|
Pitchfork | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 28
|
|
Rolling Stone | The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | 38
|
|
Spin | The 30 Best Songs of 2020 | 4
|
|
Lindsay Zoladz (The New York Times) | Best Songs of 2020 | 7
|
Music video
A music video for "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" was released on 23 April 2020. The video was directed by Adam Powell, while Jack Meredith served as assistant director. The role of production manager was handled by Ias Balaskas. Andrew Rawson and Harrison Imogen served as producer and executive producer, respectively. Anthony Neale was responsible for the video's art direction, with Kim Rance and Elaine Lynskey providing hair and makeup. Cinematically, Carlos Catalan served as director of photography, while Marco Alonso and Apostolos Katsamagkas acted as focus puller and second assistant camera, respectively. John Holloway edited the video, and the production company Editegg was brought in to handle post-production. Visually simplistic, it features the 1975 performing "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" against a brick wall.[54] The video is shot in high contrast black and white, interspersing expansive wide shots with close-up profiles of the individual band members. Brock Thiessen of Exclaim! called it "a simple yet effective approach".[55] In her review of the song for Barricade Magazine, Kolbe interpreted the clip as an ode to the band's earlier visuals.[28]
Commercial performance
"If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)" attained domestic and international chart success. In the 1975's native country of the UK, the song debuted and peaked at number 14 on the
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Notes on a Conditional Form album liner notes.[30]
- Matthew Healy – composer, producer, guitar, vocals
- George Daniel – composer, producer, drums, keyboards, synthesizer
- Adam Hann – composer, guitar
- Ross MacDonald – composer, bass
- Jonathan Gilmore – producer, recording engineer
- Tahliah Debrett Barnett – background vocals
- Lemar Guillary – trombone
- Bob Reynolds – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
- Rashawn Ross – flugelhorn, trumpet
- Jamie Squire – guitar
- John Waugh – saxophone
- Mike Crossey – mixer
- Robin Schmidt – mastering engineer
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
See also
References
- ^ Radio X (30 May 2020). "The 1975 breakdown Notes On A Conditional Form track by track". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b Dombal, Ryan (21 May 2020). "The 1975's Matty Healy on 9 Things That Inspired New Album Notes on a Conditional Form". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Greenwood, Douglas (18 May 2020). "The 1975's Matty Healy: 'This is gonna be one of my last interviews'". Vice. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Wetmore, Brendan (22 May 2020). "'Notes on a Conditional Form' Track-by-Track". Paper. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Richards, Will (16 February 2020). "Watch The 1975 debut new songs 'Guys' and 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)' as UK tour opens in Nottingham". NME. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ a b Trendell, Andrew (24 February 2020). "The 1975 live in London: their epic residency at The O2 – in dazzling photos". NME. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d Ackroyd, Stephen (23 April 2020). "The 1975 – If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)". Dork. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (22 April 2020). "The 1975 are releasing 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)' this week!". Coup de Main. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know) – Single". Spotify. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ a b Collar, Matt. "Notes on a Conditional Form – The 1975". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (23 April 2020). "The 1975 Detail Online Romance on Sleek New Song 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b Miller, Bri (28 April 2020). "Stories of Lust Take Flight in 'If You're Too Shy' by The 1975". Soundigest. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Stubbs, Dan (1 May 2020). "The 1975 – 'Notes On A Conditional Form' review". NME. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (22 May 2020). "The 1975 achieve a delicate balancing act on Notes on a Conditional Form". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ Blanchet, Brenton (17 May 2020). "The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form". Clash. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- Sony/ATV Music Publishing. 24 April 2020. Archivedfrom the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "The 30 Best Songs of 2020". Spin. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "DIY's Tracks of 2020". DIY. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Mosk, Mitch (24 April 2020). "The 1975's 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)' Is the Energy Shot We Need Right Now". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d Zoladz, Lindsay (7 December 2020). "Best Songs of 2020". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Spanos, Brittany (28 April 2020). "Song You Need to Know: The 1975, 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Aniftos, Rania (23 April 2020). "The 1975 Deliver an Ode to Online Lust in 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (8 December 2020). "The 100 Best Songs of 2020: Staff List". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Leas, Ryan (23 April 2020). "The 1975 – 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Shutler, Ali (23 April 2020). "With The 1975's massive new single 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)', Britain's best band keep getting better". NME. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Empire, Kitty (23 May 2020). "The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form review – an uncertain record for uncertain times". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ a b "The 50 best songs of 2020". NME. 8 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Kolbe, Patricia (23 April 2020). "The 1975 Gift Us 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Barricade Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". Pitchfork. 7 December 2020. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b Notes on a Conditional Form (inlay cover). The 1975. Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. 2020. p. 16.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Consequence of Sound. Archivedfrom the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Atkinson, Jessie (24 April 2020). "Yes, The 1975 keep getting better – hear 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)' now". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Small, Samantha (22 May 2020). "The 1975's Notes on a Conditional Form Marks a Definitive Moment in Time: Review". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (21 May 2020). "The 1975: Self-Aware, Self-Indulgent and, Yes, Sincere". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Mano, Lizzie (20 May 2020). "The 1975 Are Far Too Ambitious on Notes on A Conditional Form". Paste. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b Biddles, Claire (17 May 2020). "The 1975 fall prey to their own self-indulgent trap". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Horton, Ross (22 May 2020). "The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Sodomsky, Sam (22 May 2020). "The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ Schrodt, Paul (23 May 2020). "Review: The 1975's Sprawling Notes on a Conditional Form Is a Sincere Ode to Rock". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Mullineaux, Lauren (27 May 2020). "Album Review: The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Duncan, Conrad (21 May 2020). "The 1975 — Notes on a Conditional Form". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Rivers, Joe (16 June 2020). "The 1975: Notes On A Conditional Form". No Ripcord. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Willman, Chris (21 May 2020). "The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form': Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (22 May 2020). "The 1975 review, Notes on a Conditional Form: New album is a parade of smug self-indulgence". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Guardian albums and tracks of 2020: how our writers voted". The Guardian. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "The Best Songs Of 2020". Coup de Main. 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "The Diamondback's 20 favorite songs of 2020". The Diamondback. 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Ganz, Jacob (4 December 2020). "The Best Music Of 2020: NPR Staff Picks". NPR. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Stereogum's 60 Favorite Songs Of 2020". Stereogum. 8 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ "The best songs of 2020 ranked". The Line of Best Fit. 10 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". NPR. 13 December 2020. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Complex Staff Picks: Our Favorite Songs and Albums of 2020". Complex. 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Shaffer, Claire (7 December 2020). "Year in Review: The 50 Best Songs of 2020". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Ulitski, Rob (4 May 2020). "The 1975 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know) – YT Sessions' by Adam Powell". Promonews. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Thiessen, Brock (23 April 2020). "The 1975 Are Back with a New Video for 'If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)'". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Ultratip. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 May 2020". No. 1574. Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 May 2020.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help) - ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ a b "The 1975 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ "Radio 2020 uke 29". VG-lista. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – The 1975 – If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 March 2021.