Tribute

Album: Tribute (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the title track of the British singer and musician John Newman's debut album. He told Billboard magazine that most of the tracks came out of his breakup with his previous girlfriend, which happened just after he had his first #1 single as the featured vocalist on Rudimental's "Feel The Love."

    "In the time that I was going through watching things change and the music picking up, I was trapped in this house that me and my girlfriend had built this whole relationship in," he explained. "And I had to move out of that house, because it was like every wall reminded me of this breakup. A lot of the songs come from that -- how I couldn't look at certain things in that house, and how I had to get out."
  • Adele, Beyoncé, James Brown, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Kings of Leon, Lana Del Rey, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder are among the many artists name-checked on this song. "'Tribute' is who I want to thank," Newman explained to MTV UK. "It's people who I've listened to and it's people who've inspired me, but it's certainly not me comparing myself to them."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

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.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.