Dear Jean

Album: Not Waving, But Drowning (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Loyle Carner writes a letter to his mum, Jean, telling her he has met a girl and will be moving "half my clothes maybe louder stuff. Out the south, out the house never out of touch."
  • Jean is a special-needs teacher, widowed when Carner's stepdad Nik died suddenly in 2014. The rapper told The Independent: "I wanted my mum to be proud. I mean, it's what she wants for me, but moving on is always going to be hard."

    "Mum listened to the song on her own in the car," the MC added. "She says she sat there, crying in the car, for a long time afterwards."
  • This is the opening track of Not Waving, But Drowning. The closing track, "Dear Ben," is Jean's reply to her son (Carner's birth name is Benjamin Coyle-Larner). Previously, on Carner's debut album Yesterday's Gone, the closing track "Sun Of Jean" featured the MC's mother reading a poem.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.