Warm
by Charli XCX (featuring Haim)

Album: Charli (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This dream-like slice of electro pop finds Charli XCX hooking up with Haim. Over glitchy, warm synths, the four girls ask their crush why he's so convinced they can't be together.

    So you gotta tell me the reason
    Why we can't fall in love
    You gotta tell me the reason
    Why you won't open up


    Charli and Haim don't understand why the love they feel for the guy isn't mutual.
  • The song was produced by A. G. Cook, who executive produced XCX's entire Charli album. The idea for "Warm" came about from Cook sending her a demo of him singing a melody without any lyrics. Charli explained: "It was so beautiful and I sat with it for ages and just played it over and over again."

    When Danielle, Este and Alana Haim came over to the singer's studio house in LA, Charli and Cook chose the producer's demo as an ideal one for them to collaborate on. The Californian trio wrote their part and crooned the second half of the song.
  • According to the Haim sisters, "Warm" was inspired by records like Quad City DJs' 1996 hit single "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" and Imani Coppola's 1997 Chupacabra album.
  • Charli XCX told Q magazine that "Warm" was something she's never heard Haim do before. "There's no guitars, no live instrumentation, but I feel like that vocal melodies are quite them," she explained.
  • Charli and A.G. Cook had rented a house in California which they had turned into a studio. Charli told Q magazine that Haim's visit coincided with a challenging day for her. "I'd been to the dentist that day so the whole side of my face was numb," she recalled. "I'd already recorded my vocals. I couldn't really talk. We were co-writing. I was trying to suggest lyrics and melodies but I couldn't. I was like, 'mm-he-hoo-ha-ho.' I had told them I'd been to the dentist. They didn't think I was having a stroke."

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.