Tongue
by MNEK

Album: Language (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first single from MNEK's debut album is a smooth and slick tune about being scared to tell someone you love them. Speaking with The Fader, MNEK said about the song's sound.

    "It's fun, it's sexy, and it's different to anything I've put out before. It is an indication of me taking risks with my new music."
  • The song's music video was directed by the duo Bradley & Pablo (Charli XCX, Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj, Migos and Cardi B). The visual features a futuristic dinner party, in which we see MNEK increasingly gaining confidence as he seduces his male love interest. MNEK explained:

    "Bradley & Pablo hit me up on Instagram around the time I was finishing the album and I was already a huuuuuge fan of their work, so it really was amazing to get to collaborate with them for the 'Tongue; video. It's set at a dinner party and alternates between reality and fantasy to capture this unspoken tension between me and this guy."

    The singer told Noisey that he wanted to fully embrace his sexuality in the open during the clip. "Now I'm not afraid to touch on relationships and on my sexuality in my videos," he said. "I feel as though it's an important thing to put into my visuals, because those are the main source of visual content that I have."
  • Among MNEK's friends at the dinner party in the video are singers Becky Hill, A*M*E and K Stewart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.