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

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.