Friends Don't

Album: One Heart to Another (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jon Nite and Justin Ebach helped Maddie and Tae write this song, which describes a platonic relationship where the feelings for one another may be starting to develop into something more.

    They don't almost say I love you
    When they're downtown somewhere just a little drunk
    They don't talk about the future
    And put each other in it
    And get chills with every accidental touch


    This is the first track of a kind of concept album that starts with a friendship, which develops into a romantic relationship, before a breakup and eventual independence.
  • Maddie Marlow said the lyrics are based on fact:

    "So, the story behind our song 'Friends Don't' is actually my sister's story. My little sister back home in Texas was kind of dating this guy and they're kind of in the friend's zone, but they like each other, but they really didn't know what was going on. And so, Tae and I got inspired by her story and wrote it. She kinda gets frustrated when we write songs about her, but I know she secretly likes it." [laughs]
  • The video was shot in Nashville with director TK McKamy and mirrors the flirtatious uncertainty that comes at the beginning of relationships. Both Maddie & Tae get their own storyline - and their own romance – during the clip.

    "To us 'Friends Don't' feels sexy and confident, but with a dash of that uncertainty you have at the start of a relationship because you don't know if the other person feels the same way you do," shared Dye. "We wanted to play off that push and pull we've all felt before."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.