Under The Sheets

Album: Lights (2009)
Charted: 53
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the debut single from English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding. The song peaked at #53 in the UK singles charts.
  • Goulding came to prominence after winning the Brit Awards Critics' Choice prize for the act most likely to break through in 2010, an award which is chosen by a panel of newspaper, magazine and website editors and record label bosses. "When I found out, I had a little squeal, I had a little cry and I had a little fall down," she said. Florence and the Machine and Adele are previous winners of the prize.
  • Goulding wrote this number with producer Starsmith (real name Fin Dow-Smith). She told the story of the song to BBC DJ Steve Lamacq on his Radio 2 show: "It came to be because myself and Finn decided we want to make a song, we're not even going to think about it. We sat down at the computer and suddenly Finn just came up with this drum thing and then a bass line and I came up with a vocal thing. It was one of those very rare moments that something just comes together without any kind of effort or any kind of thinking. It was probably the easiest song I've written, but actually when I listen back to the lyrics they are actually quite meaningful. They are about a girl and a guy who are in a relationship but it's a very dark relationship in that its only based on being physical. Its not like a sexual song its more like shows that some relationships are based on nothing that is real, they are not based on something good. I've had that experience in my life, because you're trying to cling on to something that you know you're in denial. That's what the song is about in that you know the world won't bring us down, you can be as happy as Larry inside your house with your boyfriend or lover, but as soon as you step outside you're in the real world and you have to deal with it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."