When You Were My Girl

Album: Porcelain (2013)
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Songfacts®:

  • Matt Cardle wrote this song, which was the second single from his Porcelain album. The singer also co-produced the song with Toby Smith (Jamiroquai) and Jamie Scott (JLS, Enrique Iglesias). "I had a session in LA with JC Chasez ['N Sync] and his producer Jimmy Harry," Cardle explained. "We came up with this really awesome bass line, which I revisited a few weeks later when I was back in the UK. I continued writing and a few days later, the track was finished." He added: "It's got a real Marvin Gaye, Jackson-esque type feel to it. I'm really proud of it."

    The song was premiered on BBC Radio 2 on September 30, 2013 and released worldwide a fortnight later.
  • The song's music video was directed and shot by Nick Spanos in Los Angeles on September 16, 2013. The director previously worked with Cardle on the clips for his "It's Only Love" and "Lately" singles.

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