Water and a Flame

Album: Love and War (2009)
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Songfacts®:

  • This is a duet between Merriweather and the British singer Adele. Merriweather told I Like Music about his collaboration with the Chasing Pavements artist: "She is such a sweet-heart and she has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. I've known her for a couple of years and I had this song and just thought how amazing it would be if she could sing it with me. She is just lovely to work with. So that was amazing."
  • Merriweather co-wrote this with British songwriter Eg White, who also co-wrote "Chasing Pavements" with Adele.
  • Merriweather told We7 that lyrically, "it's about the seven days that happen after you break up with someone."
  • The Daily Mirror November 6, 2009 asked Merriweather between him and Adele, who is the water and who is the flame? "I've been out with Adele and she's very quick-witted," he replied, "I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of any of her insults - so I guess she would be the flame."
  • Celine Dion recorded this as the title track of her 2013 studio album. Merriweather expressed his irritation after learning that Dion praised Adele for the song but not him. The Canadian singer had not realized the Australian singer had written and recorded the tune, mistakenly believing it was originally an Adele cut.

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