Goosebumps

Album: Goosebumps (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Goosebumps are the bumps on a person's skin at the base of body hairs. They can involuntarily develop when one experiences strong emotions such as sexual arousal, giving them a bristling feeling. This throwback R&B song is written from two perspectives:

    One person is pining after another and getting goosebumps. However, it's driving them "wi-i-ild" that their love is not reciprocated.

    The other person makes it clear they want the smitten individual to leave them alone.

    You're muted, compute it
    Why can't you learn to lose me?
  • Bastille initially wrote the song back in 2019 on a day in between shows whilst touring in New York. They then completed and recorded it back in London at their One Eyed Jack's studio.
  • The band are big fans of Connecticut-born producer Kenny Beats (Ski Mask's "Foot Fungus," Ed Sheeran's "Take Me Back To London"). After meeting him in LA, Bastille invited Beats to hang out at One Eyed Jack's when he was in town. After playing each other their music, the American expressed his love for "Goosebumps" and started working on beats and sounds for it.
  • The London-based British/Iranian director Reza Dolatabadi filmed the video. He was also responsible for Bastille's "What You Gonna Do???" and "Survivin'" clips.
  • The Goosebumps EP also features an alternative recording of the song tracked in their One Eyed Jack studio. "Sometimes, the actual bones of a song can get lost amongst the production," frontman Dan Smith told American Songwriter. "I love the main version, but I just wanted to put it at a piano and sing it in a more raw way. There's something to be said of reducing a song to a voice and one instrument."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.