When You Love Someone

Album: Chapters (2016)
Charted: 54
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • James Taylor-Watts is a British singer-songwriter who records under the name of James TW. He was championed by Shawn Mendes after the Canadian came across the videos of his songs that he'd posted on YouTube. Taylor-Watts was signed by Island Records in 2015 after Mendes recommended him to his record company.
  • Taylor-Watts wrote this song for a young drum pupil of his in order to help him through a tough time. He recalled to Genius:

    "The song was written about a kid I used to teach drums to a few years ago to earn a bit of pocket money while I was doing school This one boy, he was 11 at the time, I found out his parents were getting a divorce before he knew it was going to happen, so I wondered how his parents were going to tell him in a positive way and in a way someone like him who knows nothing about relationships or love would understand. I wanted it to be a song he could listen to, to feel better about the situation.

    The tricky part was writing a song about something that a lot of people view as a negative thing and saying sometimes it is for the best. It can be a good thing when divorce happens because it means the child will be a in a more comfortable environment in the long run."
  • Taylor-Watts recalled the moment in Los Angeles, when he first saw how the lyrics resonated with others.

    "This was the first song I played in a music industry office and a grown man cried in front of me - that was a breathtaking moment for me," he said. "I've never seen any of my songs do that to a person. I loved the fact that I drew that out of someone in three minutes."
  • JTW wrote this song with the American writers Nolan Sipe and Sam Hollander.

Comments: 3

  • EsmereldaLove this song. Helped me a lot emotionally, and i really appreciate this.
  • AnonymousMy parents are divorced and this was the song that made me realize it was a positive thing because 2 homes are better than one for me
  • Makenzie from Mosineethis song made me cry it has a lot to do with my life and i actully do have a little sister i cant explain to her becuse shes to little!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.