I Was Gonna Cancel

Album: Kiss Me Once (2014)
Charted: 59
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This futuristic R&B tinged number was inspired by a recording session Minogue nearly canceled. The singer, who worked on the song with Pharrell Williams in Los Angeles during May 2013, admitted she was having a bad day before getting in the studio, but remained determined to keep herself together. "It was a dream come true because I've wanted to work with him for a long time," she told Capital FM about collaborating with Pharrell. "I had two days with him, and we did two songs, one of which is on my album and it's called 'I Was Gonna Cancel.'"

    "Because I was having the worst day," Minogue continued, "you know... when you're having one of those days. Everything was too much!"

    "So my second day going in I was literally talking to myself saying, 'Keep it together, this is a very important day, it's Pharrell'... And then I burst into tears as soon as I got there," she added. "That's why he wrote 'I Was Gonna Cancel' because I really didn't feel like going, but I kind of had to go."
  • Around 30 professional dancers were shortchanged when they were asked by Warner Music and the production company to work on this song's eleven-hour video shoot for free or below the legal minimum rate. After complaints, some were then offered AUS$100 (about $90). It was only after the Equity Australia union got involved that the dancers were paid the standard rate for their performances.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.