Turn It Up

Album: Imperfect Circle (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Hootie & the Blowfish seem to be taking a swipe at President Donald Trump, starting with the opening lines:

    Once there was a thankless leader blinded by a golden ring
    Now there's no more peaceful gatherings


    The band, though says it doesn't have a political motivation - it's all about turning up the love to drown out negativity. "At one point in the lyrical development the band had a deep discussion over concern the song might be perceived as a political statement, but no significant changes were made as a result," drummer Jim Sonefeld told Songfacts.
  • Released in October 2019, this was included on Imperfect Circle, the first Hootie & the Blowfish album since Looking For Lucky in 2005. After a 10-year hiatus, the band returned to action in 2018 with their Group Therapy tour, then got to work on the album, which they recorded in Nashville.

    With a reggae vibe and horn section, "Turn It Up" is a musical departure for the band. The horn players came up from South Carolina to record it.
  • Mark Bryan, guitarist for the band, conceived the original idea for this song. "During pre-production for the Imperfect Circle album, he played us a demo version and I immediately fell in love with the idea," Sonefeld said. "All four band members and producer Jeff Trott made significant contributions, musically and lyrically, before the final version was finished."
  • Sheryl Crow sang backup on this track. She and producer Jeff Trott are longtime associates; some of her hits he worked on include "If It Makes You Happy" and "Everyday Is a Winding Road."
  • In 2020, Walshy Fire of Major Lazer created a remix of the song that was included on a digital re-release of the album along with Hootie's cover of the R.E.M. song "Losing My Religion."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Jello Biafra

Jello BiafraSongwriter Interviews

The former Dead Kennedys frontman on the past, present and future of the band, what music makes us "pliant and stupid," and what he learned from Alice Cooper.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.