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

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.