Tough Love

Album: Tim (2019)
Charted: 60
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This swirling, worldly track about a challenging passion was produced and written by Avicii with his fellow Swedes Vincent Pontare and Ash Pournouri from Vargas and Lagola. Both Al Fakir and Pontare were longtime collaborators and worked with the Swedish DJ on "Silhouettes," "Hey Brother" and "Without You."
  • The track was 80% finished at the time of Avicii's death in April 2018 and features vocals from Vargas and his wife Swedish singer/songwriter Agnes Carlsson. Agnes is best known for her 2009 international hit "Release Me."

    "This one needs to be a duet," Avicii had written in his notes while working on the track. "Coolest thing would be a real couple. Or a couple that have worked together enough to be almost considered a couple!"
  • Before Avicii passed away, he'd spent time exploring sounds from northwest India. He'd shared with Vargas and Lagola a musical loop inspired by these traditional styles and they incorporated it in this song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.