Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)
"Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" | |
---|---|
Song by the 1975 | |
from the album Notes on a Conditional Form | |
Released | 22 May 2020 |
Genre | |
Length | 4:07 |
Label | |
YouTube |
"Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" is a song by English band the 1975 from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald alongside Guendoline Viray Rome Gomez and Hiroshi Sato. Daniel and Healy handled the production of the song. It originated from an a cappella sample, with the band gradually merging different pieces of music together to create the final version. Healy was inspired by the Backstreet Boys, producer Max Martin and rapper Kanye West, along with the melodic music of Brandy, Whitney Houston, SWV and TLC.
"Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" is a mid-tempo experimental alternative R&B and neo soul slow jam. The song is produced in a retro 1990s style, containing a funk-influenced drum beat, reggae rhythms, brass instrumentation and influences of contemporary R&B, electropop, jazz, dub, ska and electronic music. The lyrics recount Healy's wish that his feelings of attraction toward a potential partner are reciprocated, touching upon themes of existentialism and dread. The song samples "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by the Temptations, while the chord progression is based around Sato's "Say Goodbye".
"Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" was deemed an album highlight by numerous
Background and development
"I don't think we ever do anything retro. We never do anything pastiche-y. But there's definitely a reflection on a certain time of our musical upbringing. And that was very much part of that."
—Healy, on creating "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)".[1]
In April 2017, the 1975 announced Music For Cars, the follow-up record to their second studio album
Speaking on the development of "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)", Healy said: "I struggled with this song because it was almost like a sonic experiment, a mixture of samples."[10] The basis of the instrumental was first created by Daniel, who had an a cappella sample of "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971) by the Temptations. He also possessed a piano arrangement that he created from scratch, being unsure of how to incorporate it into the album. A rough version of a separate song, containing a sample of "Say Goodbye" (1985) from Japanese city pop artist Hiroshi sato, was originally written by No Rome–a friend and frequent collaborator of the 1975–who intended to release it for himself. Healy continuously listened to the demo throughout the recording of Notes on a Conditional Form. He and Daniel realised that all three pieces worked well together when combined into a single song, thus they merged them together. The new version layered the piano instrumental over the Temptations sample, providing the opening, while "Say Goodbye" was used to create the chord progression. Healy called "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" the "anomaly" on Notes on a Conditional Form. It was written during a relaxed, experimental and naive period of the album's recording. They wanted to reference the early music of Kanye West, the later period of the Backstreet Boys and the late 1990s pop music of Max Martin.[1][11][12] Healy was also influenced by "rich melodic music" of Brandy, Whitney Houston, SWV and TLC, specifically the latter of the four's sophomore album CrazySexyCool (1994).[13] Overall, the 1975 wanted to keep the tone fun and uplifting, although they expressed some concern about wasting time not writing about more serious subject matters.[14]
Composition
Musically, "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" is an
Lyrically, "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" revolves around Healy's attraction towards a potential partner, hoping his feelings are reciprocated.
Reception
Brenton Blanchet of Spin extolled the Temptations sample, calling the track the best song on Notes on a Conditional Form.[30] Caroline Edwards of Riot Magazine deemed it one of two standouts on the album.[21] Spanos called the song a highlight from the album,[13] a sentiment shared by Shahlin Graves of Coup de Main.[31] Maggie McHale and Erica Garcia of Atwood Magazine felt "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" is the best non-single on the album, while their colleague Nina Schaarschmidt praised the band's "amazing ability to connect lyrics to genre blending melodies that make you feel what they are singing about".[32] NME called the song a standout from Notes on a Conditional Form, awarding it a spot on their weekly NME Radio Roundup.[22] Similarly, Pitchfork included the song on their weekly Pitchfork Selects Playlist, which "highlights songs that [their] writers, editors, and contributors are listening to on repeat".[33] Cleveland Magazine declared "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" the 10th best song of 2020, with Troy Smith commending the mixture of the 1975's signature sound with a sonic evolution.[34] Callie Ahlgrim of Insider deemed it the 15th best song of 2020, highlighting the use of existentialism and dread in the lyrics, saying: "The beauty of ['Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)']— much like many of the band's best songs [...] is that you can dance while you panic."[19] Mya Singleton of Yardbarker selected the song for inclusion in her year-end playlist, calling it a standout from Notes on a Conditional Form that "immediately draws listeners in with its smooth sample".[26]
Adrian Garro of Rock Cellar Magazine declared "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" a highlight from the album, noting its underused potential as a single.
Music video
A music video for "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" was released on 22 May 2020 as the first visual from the 1975's online art exhibition Artists Respond to NOACF.[45][46] The video was created by Most Dismal Swamp, an art collective led by Dane Sutherland. It begins with a depressed teddy bear laying in his bedroom.[47][48] The bear stands up, looking outside his distorted baroque window at an expansive meadow before sitting down at his gaming computer. He enters another world within the screen and encounters several frightening images before running away. Repeating the same process from the beginning of the visual, the bear enters the screen again, coming across a winged creature. However, the images leak out into his room and haunt him as the video darkens. The bear begins to dance and light returns to the room as the walls fall down, revealing the nature around him. As the video concludes, the camera pans off into the sky.[48][49]
Sutherland was responsible for directing, editing and creating the storyboards. He wanted to capture the dream-like quality of "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)", observing the main narrative as being lost between anxiety and nostalgia. Additionally, Sutherland was inspired by the themes of technology, hope and anxiety present on Notes on a Conditional Form. He began by locating the narrators' frame of mind within the song, interpreting them as being trapped within a moment, fantisising about another time or timeline. Having identified the song's voice, Sutherland chose to create a teddy bear to personify these feelings. Speaking on the video, the filmmaker called it: "A bittersweet dream where you'd get lost, then have that feeling amplified by the shock of your actual reality when the dream ends."[49] The UE development and filming of the video was done by GVN908, while Samuel Capps handled the visual effects. Tissue Hunter was responsible for the 2D animations, Hannah Rose Stewart designed the teddy bear and Olia Svetlanova designed the winged creature.[49] Following the video's release, Derrick Rossignol of Uproxx said that the teddy bear "like many folks right now, spends his time seated in front of his computer".[45]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Notes on a Conditional Form album liner notes.[20]
- Matthew Healy – composer, producer, guitar, vocals
- George Daniel – composer, producer, programming, drums, keyboards, synthesizer
- Adam Hann – composer, guitar
- Ross MacDonald – composer, bass
- Guendoline Viray Rome Gomez – composer
- Hiroshi sato – composer
- Jonathan Gilmore – recording engineer
- Robin Schmidt – mastering engineer
- Mike Crossey – mixer
Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[43] | 15 |
Ireland (IRMA)[44] | 67 |
56 | |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[42] | 11 |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Notes On a Conditional Form by The 1975". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (4 April 2017). "The 1975 Announce New Album Music for Cars". Spin. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (31 May 2018). "Matty Healy explains why The 1975's new album isn't called 'Music For Cars' and says he's 'not going to stop' the band". NME. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Collar, Matt. "A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships – The 1975". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (22 May 2020). "The 1975's 'Notes On A Conditional Form' is a fascinating, adventurous end of an era – review". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ Gonzalez, Carolina (19 May 2020). "In The 1975's New Album, Matty Healy Takes a Sledgehammer to His Ego". Vogue. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ Connick, Tom (30 March 2020). "The 1975's new album 'Notes On A Conditional Form': Release date, tour dates and everything we know so far". NME. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (5 May 2020). "The 1975: dreaming in quarantine". The Face. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ a b Collar, Matt. "Notes on a Conditional Form – The 1975". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "I struggled with this song because it was almost like a sonic experiment, a mixture of samples. – Matty". Twitter. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ 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 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.
- ^ a b c d e Spanos, Brittany (22 May 2020). "The 1975 Would Like to Invent the Future". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ 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.
- Complex. 16 June 2020. Archivedfrom the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Duncan, Conrad (21 May 2020). "The 1975 — Notes on a Conditional Form". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Eastoe, Dillon (18 May 2020). "Album Review: The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 28 September 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 2021.
- ^ Insider. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Notes on a Conditional Form (inlay cover). The 1975. Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. 2020. p. 14.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c Edwards, Caroline (23 May 2020). "Album Review: The 1975 // Notes On A Conditional Form". Riot Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ a b "NME Radio Roundup 1 June 2020: The 1975, Jayda G and more". NME. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Dearden-Williams, Elizabeth (14 June 2020). "Contemplative, confessional and incohesive: Notes on a Conditional Form reviewed". Varsity. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- Consequence of Sound. Archivedfrom the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 14 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.
- ^ a b Singleton, Mya (31 December 2020). "The ultimate playlist for saying goodbye to 2020". Yardbarker. Retrieved 15 February 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 9 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Boddez, Ben (29 May 2020). "Polarizing and provocative: The 1975 return with 'Notes On A Conditional Form'". Vancouver Weekly. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Genius. Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "The 50 Best Rock Bands Right Now". Spin. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (23 May 2020). "The 1975 – 'Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)' music video". Coup de Main. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Lane, Lexi; Mosk, Mitch; Dunn, Matthew; McHale, Maggie; Garcia, Erica; Niesen, Ben; Schaarschmidt, Nina (1 June 2020). "Roundtable: A Review of The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form'". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Run the Jewels, Kelsey Lu, Kate NV, Medhane, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist". Pitchfork. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Smith, Troy (6 December 2020). "Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP'is the undisputed song of 2020". Cleveland Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Garro, Adrian (21 May 2020). "Out Now: 'Notes on a Conditional Form'by The 1975 is an Ambitious, Exhausting and Rewarding Adventure (Album Review)". Rock Cellar Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (21 May 2020). "The 1975 run wild on the maximalist Notes on a Conditional Form". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Shwear, Alex (21 May 2020). "The 1975, 'Notes on a Conditional Form'". Flood Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Shutler, Ali; Ackroyd, Stephen (19 May 2020). "The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form". Dork. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Ahlgrim, Callie; Larocca, Courteney (22 May 2020). "The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form' has absolutely no skips — but that doesn't mean it's perfect". Insider. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Paine, Andrew (29 May 2020). "Inside the big chart battle between The 1975 and KSI". Music Week. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ a b "The 1975 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Discography The 1975". irish-charts.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b Rossignol, Derrick (22 May 2020). "A Teddy Bear Stars In The 1975's 'Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)'Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (22 July 2020). "The 1975 Unveil 'Notes on a Conditional Form' Online Exhibition". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "'Notes'dei 1975 è diventato un visual album e parla del nostro presente digitalizzato". Rolling Stone Italy (in Italian). 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b "The 1975 – Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)". YouTube. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "Most Dismal Swamp responds to 'Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)'". the1975.com. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.