Love, Hope and Misery

Album: On My One (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jake Bugg explained the song's meaning to iHeartRadio: "That's a song about somebody having feelings for somebody else that doesn't feel the same way," he said. "But the other person feels guilty about not feeling the same way as them, and so they're trying to explain it to them, and it can be difficult."
  • The video takes its influence from Bill Withers' 1972 performance of "Ain't No Sunshine" on The Old Grey Whistle Test. It was directed by Michael Holyk, who previously helmed the clip for Bugg's "Gimme The Love."
  • The pop ballad has another Bill Withers connection as it features Withers' drummer James Gadson. "I wanted something with an epic pop chorus because I hadn't done anything like that before," said Bugg. "Along the lines of Nilsson, or Bill Withers."

    "The best thing was we actually got in Withers' drummer, James Gadson," he continued. "He's in his seventies now and he's just the coolest guy. He sits there chilling, eating fish and chips, and then laying down these amazing drums. He's my favourite drummer so to have him playing on this record was a personal highlight."
  • This was one of three On My One tracks that was helmed by R.E.M, U2 and Snow Patrol producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee. Bugg told The Sun: "He was good. He challenged me, which is great because I didn't use any writers to bounce ideas off this time."

    "With Jacknife on Love, Hope & Misery he kept telling me I needed a better chorus," he added. "It can be hard to hear sometimes but I went away and wrote a better chorus and I am happy about that."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.