Paradise
by Meduza (featuring Dermot Kennedy)

Album: Without Fear: The Complete Edition (2020)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Meduza during the Covid-19 lockdown, this song tells a story of perseverance in difficult circumstances. Guest vocalist Dermot Kennedy sings of learning to be brave when confronted with the unknown before finding paradise.
  • After Meduza remixed Kennedy's "Power Over Me" single in early 2020, they had the Irish singer-songwriter's Without Fear album on rotation. He was their first choice to add vocals to the track, despite the difference in their genres.
  • The song marks Kennedy's first time working with artist producers for a single. Speaking to DJ Danny Howard, the Irishman said he focused on content rather than style: "It feels like so much of what I do with my own music is try and make people feel good, try and make myself a bit better about the world and their life and this is exactly what this song is to me."
  • Meduza and Kennedy wrote the song in collaboration with Wayne Hector, who is best known for penning hits for such pop acts as Westlife ("Flying Without Wings") and One Direction ("Best Song Ever"). The other credited composers are R&B singer-songwriter Dan Caplen, Conor Manning, Gez O'Connel and Joshua Grimmett.
  • Kennedy included the song on his Without Fear: The Complete Edition album.
  • Filmmaker and photographer Jess Kohl shot the accompanying visuals in the Southern Italy countryside. The clip tells a story of teen love that seems to be blossoming until the boy finds he has a rival in paradise.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."