No Man's Land
by Marshmello (featuring Venbee)

Album: single release only (2024)
Charted: 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "No Man's Land" is a collaboration between Marshmello and UK drum 'n' bass singer-songwriter Venbee. The American EDM hitmaker released it as a single via his Joytime Collective label on January 12, 2024.
  • Venbee suffers from ADHD and depression and often touches on themes of vulnerability, sadness, and overcoming hardships in her lyrics. Here, she sings of trying to outrun her problems and insecurities, represented by the "no man's land" they inhabit. Her past experiences continue to haunt her, and she feels trapped.

    "No Man's Land" is about "feeling lost, or feeling like everywhere you go - even if it's your home," Venbee told Apple Music. "Never feeling full, like you're all by yourself."
  • Marshmello and Venbee wrote the song with Jonny Lattimer, Violet Skies, Earwulf and Digital Farm Animals. The latter two co-produced the track with Marshmello.
  • Marshmello's signature style is blending electronic and melodic elements. This was his first time making a song with drum 'n' bass influences.
  • The collaboration with Venbee originated when Marshmello was scrolling through TikTok and came across some of her vocals. Venbee was looking for some production behind it, so he thought he'd give it a go.

    Marshmello explained on social media that he started off with some guitar, then recorded claps on Voice Memos. He added the bass before tackling the drums, which was the element that took the longest to get right. Marshmello inserted another layer of him singing over and over and over again and layered them all together, so it sounds like a big crowd. For the song's grand finale, he created and added specific plucked sounds, making the song's final section more dynamic and impactful.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

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.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

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."