Holiday

Album: Tongue "N" Cheek (2009)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like Rascal's 2008 UK #1 single, "Dance Wiv Me," this is a collaboration with electro producer Calvin Harris.
  • R&B vocalist Chrome, who also performed vocals on "Dance Wiv Me," sings the hook on this song.
  • Dizzee told the NME June 13, 2009: "it's some knight in shining armour s—t. It's got some trance sounds, but the tempo is quite slow-its danceable, though it's got a really summery feel." Harris added: "I don't sing on it, which is a bonus for everyone I think - I'm just producing it, and I wrote the music."
  • Harris originally penned this song for British five-piece girl group The Saturdays. He told The Independent on Sunday August 2, 2009 "But they didn't like it. Or their A&R guy didn't like it. But Dizzee liked it. It happens."
  • Rascal told The Sun August 28, 2009 about the song's music video, which shows Dizzee partying in Ibiza surrounded by bikined beauties and 1990s drum'n'bass star Goldie. He said: "I was looking for a Boogie Nights feel."
    Dizzee is clad in an Oswald Boateng white suit: "I had to look around for that one but I had my little discount because I'd seen him (Boateng) that week backstage at a Lenny Kravitz concert. He was cool."
  • Tongue N' Cheek marked Dizzee Rascal's move away from his Grime roots, in favour of more mainstream Pop music. He explained to The Daily Telegraph August 10, 2009: "'I live in a country house in Kent now, big pond, big fish, big whatever, and when I first moved in, I had a little pool party kind of thing. Where I lived before I didn't really invite anyone round, but this time there were about 20 people there, and I suddenly realised that what I needed to do was make an album you could play all the way through without spoiling the party."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

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.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.