Weightless

Album: My Soft Machine (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Weightless" deals with the emotional pain of caring deeply for someone who only offers minimal affection. "It's about suddenly realizing that a person has dulled your edges and embarking on the slow journey back to being a brighter version of yourself," explained Arlo Parks.
  • The title doesn't appear in the lyrics, but appears to be a play on the chorus ("Don't wanna wait"/ "weightless").

    I don't wanna wait for you
    Don't wanna wait for you
    Don't wanna wait for you
    But I need you so I won't go
  • Arlo Parks wrote "Weightless" with Paul Epworth. British producer Epworth has worked with a variety of artists, including Adele, Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, and Paul McCartney. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for co-writing "Skyfall" with Adele. Epworth previously produced the tracks "Too Good" and "Portra 400" on Parks' debut Collapsed In Sunbeams album.
  • "Weightless" is distinct from Parks' earlier works, which have a slower tempo and emphasis on groove. It showcases a fast-paced beat and robust synth production while still maintaining her sharp lyrics. She released the song as the first single off her sophomore album, My Soft Machine.

    "I wanted something that would throw people off balance a little bit. I guess people expected maybe something a little bit more sparse and minimal," Parks told BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo. "And I was like, 'Okay, maybe actually I go bigger,' like I love Jay Paul, I love Joy Orbison, I love John Glacier, I love like UK electronic music, and I was like, okay, something in that vein. And I wanted to surprise people and show people that maybe I'm a little different what they expected."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

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.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?