Fair

Album: single release only (2022)
Charted: 115
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • We all know breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes moving on can be even harder. During this slow-simmering ballad, Normani questions whether its "fair" her ex is enjoying his life without her, while 200 days after their split, she still can't stop thinking about him.
  • Is it fair that you moved on?
    'Cause I swear that I haven't
    Is it right that you've grown
    And I'm still stuck in habits?


    The song captures Normani in one of her most vulnerable moments. "Literally went through every possible emotion one could feel when experiencing heartbreak," the former Fifth Harmony singer said. "Love is scary as hell especially when it seems like the other person has effortlessly moved on and you just can't seem to, no matter how hard you try. My heart was also going through it like many of yours have."
  • Normani wrote the deep-bass R&B ballad with:

    English singer-songwriter Abby "Absolutely" Keen. The sister of singer-songwriter Raye ("Decline," "Love Me Again"), she's also co-penned songs for Tinashe ("333") and Jesy Nelson (Boyz").

    Justin Bieber producer Bernard "Harv" Harvey. He also helmed this track.

    Cherish group member and Harv's wife, Felisha King Harvey. Besides being a member of the R&B group, Felish King Harvey has also co-penned songs with her husband for the likes of Sevyn Streeter ("Before I Do") and Justin Bieber ("Peaches").
  • Normani performed "Fair" for the first time on live television during the March 17, 2022 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
  • Harv wanted to create a song with substance, showing Normani to be an artist with genuine emotions and feelings. "I think 'Fair' was just tapping into like her sensuality and her femininity, and if you listen to it, you can tell she's being vulnerable," he told Consequence. "It's her coming into her own as an artist and her music. It's passion. It's heartfelt. It's her feelings. So, I just wanted to find a way to convey that with her musically, and while working with her, I wanted to bring that out of her."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.