Blame
by Calvin Harris (featuring John Newman)

Album: Motion (2014)
Charted: 1 19
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The follow-up to Calvin Harris' hit tune "Summer," this was released on September 7, 2014, coinciding with the DJ's headline set at the iTunes Festival in London on the same night.
  • The song features vocals by John Newman. Though best known for his solo international hit "Love Me Again," the British blue-eyed soul singer first came to prominence as the featured vocalist on Rudimental's hit singles "Feel The Love" and "Not Giving In."
  • The song was Calvin Harris' fifth UK #1 single as a lead artist following "I'm Not Alone," "Sweet Nothing," "Under Control" and "Summer." The Scottish dance producer has also featured on UK chart-toppers by Dizzee Rascal ("Dance Wiv Me") and Rihanna ("We Found Love").

    John Newman had previously reached the UK peak position with his 2012 Rudimental collaboration "Feel The Love" and 2013's "Love Me Again."
  • The accompanying music video was directed by Emil Nava and filmed in Los Angeles. It sees Harris create an underwater club night and cozying up with Aarika Wolf.

    American model Aarika Wolf became Calvin Harris' love interest for real in 2018. They dated for four years, but called a day on their relationship in 2022.
  • The song was performed live for the first time by Harris and Newman at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 20, 2014.
  • This broke the record for the most-streamed song in a single day on Spotify with over 1.8 million during September 12, 2014.

    The song also became the first one ever to break ten million streams in a week on Spotify. The record was set during the seven days of September 8 to September 14, 2014.
  • Billboard magazine commented to John Newman that Calvin Harris' EDM sound is much different to his usual soul-pop material. He responded: "My songwriting varies depending on who I am working with. And Calvin is not just this EDM producer - he's got a grand piano in his house. He's a real musician. We can step into each other's worlds."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.