Hurting

Album: Pala (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • For Friendly Fires' second album, Pala, the band came up with some unusual recording techniques. The basis of this track is a chopped-up old '80s disco record, over which they played on top then add added additional layers to it. Frontman Ed Macfarlane told NME: "Our first foray into MPC sampling and taking other people's music and then playing our own music over the top. Which is a risky thing, but it just felt like it was interesting."
  • The song features a guest spot by the Harlem Gospel Choir. Said Macfarlane to Spinner UK: "We got the Harlem Gospel Choir to sing backing vocals and it really suits the track because it's got a really soulful, '80s R&B, classic pop edge."
  • The song's music video features Macfarlane's head superimposed on the body of someone else doing his dance moves for him. The singer told Spinner that finding the right booty shaker wasn't easy. "I got sent all these audition videos of people supposedly dancing like me. And it was like 'Yeah, he's kind of got the hip movement there,'" he laughed. "The person essentially has to be me. They have to wander down the street dancing like me. Some of them were terrible. There was one video I was like, 'Please tell me I don't dance like that. That's rubbish.'"

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.