Surrender

Album: Young Heart (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • All I want to do is fall
    Into the night
    Into your arms
    Surrender


    Birdy began writing her fourth album, Young Heart, while coming to terms with a breakup. Much of the record centers on the singer's heartache as well as recovery, conflict and fate. She wrote "Surrender" about the struggles of making decisions by herself, when there's nobody to unburden herself to. "The song is about missing someone," Birdy told The Sun, "and sometimes wishing you could return to that place of security in different moments."
  • Young Heart has a more stripped-back sound to what Birdy had done before, and sticking to her guns was hard. "Surrender to me is almost wanting to give up sometimes and revert to a place that's more comfortable," she explained to American Songwriter. "It's asking whether it's all going to be for a reason. It was a bit of a struggle at some points making the album. I couldn't quite capture the initial feeling on the demo. It took a few tries to get that one feeling right."
  • Birdy wrote the song outside of Nashville with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, the duo behind Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour and Star-Crossed albums. They worked in a studio out in the Tennessee countryside during the middle of summer. "It was so beautiful," she recalled to The Sun. "We sat outside on the porch with the cicadas singing."
  • James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Mumford & Sons) produced the track. Birdy's collaborations with the English producer date back to her 2011 eponymous debut album.
  • Sophie Muller directed the video, filming it on the shores of St. Leonard's in East Sussex. She shot the clip during the coronavirus pandemic, which is why Birdy is the only person we see.

Comments: 1

  • Aj from SdSounds exactly like 96 Million Miles by Jason Mraz.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.