Secret Love Song

"Secret Love Song"
Single by Little Mix featuring Jason Derulo
from the album Get Weird
Released January 2016
Recorded
Genre R&B, soul
Length 4:09
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Little Mix singles chronology
"Love Me like You"
(2015)		 "Secret Love Song"
(2016)
Jason Derulo singles chronology
"Get Ugly"
(2015)		 "Secret Love Song"
(2016)		 "Naked"
(2016)

"Secret Love Song" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix for their third studio album, Get Weird (2015). It features guest vocals from American singer Jason Derulo, who co-wrote the song with Jez Ashurst, Emma Rohan, and Tich. It was produced by Jayson DeZuzio, Maegan Cottone and Sam Ellison. The group's cover of Derulo's 2015 single "Want to Want Me" inspired him to collaborate with them. "Secret Love Song" is a slow ballad comprising pounding bass and melancholic strings. The lyrics discuss unrequited and forbidden love, while Derulo's verse details his personal experience of having an affair.

The song has been announced as the third single from Get Weird in Ireland and the UK. It was met with mixed reviews from music critics, who lauded the group's vocal performance, but criticised Derulo's feature and the track's originality. "Secret Love Song" has reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. An accompanying music video was directed by Frank Borin and filmed in London near Tower Bridge.

Background

In July 2015, Little Mix member Jesy Nelson said that the group's third studio album, Get Weird, would have a song "that is possibly going to be a single that we've never done anything like before".[1] Group member Perrie Edwards added: "And it may or may not have a feature...."[1] The track, "Secret Love Song", was written by Jez Ashurst, Emma Rohan and Tich, and produced by Jayson DeZuzio, Maegan Cottone and Sam Ellison.[2] The group then sent the song to Jason Derulo who positively reacted to it, writing his own verse.[3] Recording took place at Poinsettia Place in Los Angeles and at Blue Box Studios in London.[2]

Derulo's decision to collaborate with the group was influenced by a string of events; Hit 30 played him the group's cover of his 2015 single "Want to Want Me" for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in July 2015. He reacted: "I was into that, man", and said he understood why the cover became a viral video.[4] However, Derulo was unfamiliar with the group's music at the time and had to "research" their discography which he ultimately became fond of.[3] Group member Jade Thirlwall felt the song's slow tempo was "a nice change" for Derulo and "[showed] his voice off a lot".[5] A solo sequel of the song, "Secret Love Song Pt. II", was included on the deluxe version of Get Weird.[2]

Composition

"Secret Love Song" is a ballad.[6] It comprises pounding bass and melancholic strings.[7] Derulo's vocal uses vibrato and Auto-Tune.[8][9] He sings the song's second verse.[10] Nelson belts the high note during the song's bridge.[11]

Lyrically, "Secret Love Song" details unrequited and forbidden love.[12] Edwards said the lyrics are about "being with someone and you want to scream it from the rooftops but you have to hold it in".[13] Thirlwall interprets the group's lyrics in the song as a narrative for the struggles LGBT people are faced with when coming to terms with their sexuality and public affection.[14] According to Derulo, his verse serves as a "twist" in the song, discussing his personal experience of having an affair: "I told a true fucking story about this girl that I am really into but she has a boyfriend but we still do our thing."[3]

Release

The group revealed the song's title on 7 September 2015, on Instagram.[15] On 13 October 2015, they announced Derulo's feature on Twitter, ahead of Get Weird's release the following month.[16] On 5 December 2015, Little Mix confirmed "Secret Love Song" as the third single from the album in Ireland and the UK on Twitter.[17] They unveiled the single's cover art on Instagram on 8 January 2016.[18]

Reception

Critical response

"Secret Love Song" has received mixed reviews from music critics. Popjustice wrote that the song would be better without Derulo, but called it "a big ballad" with an "amazing" chorus and gave it a rating of seven out of ten.[10] Brad O'Mance from the website disliked Derulo's "dulcet/song-ruining tones".[19] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy said the group matured emotionally on the track and described it as a "sweeping slowie [...] that soars highest on the perfectly polished chorus".[20] He also deemed it "powerful" and "a LGBT anthem".[14] Dan Wootton from The Sun viewed the song as "brilliant" and a highlight on Get Weird.[6] Sugarscape described the lyrics as "beautiful" and highlighted Perrie Edwards impressive vocal performance throughout. They also expressed dismay it wasn't released as a single over the Christmas period.[21] Huffington Post described the chorus as "touching" and praised the music video for the single.[22]

In a more negative review, Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun described the song as "uber cheese".[23] Harriet Gibsone from The Guardian viewed the song as one of Get Weird's "odd moments of mediocrity".[24] Chuck Campbell of the Knoxville News Sentinel felt the song tried too hard.[25] Nick Levine from NME regarded the song as "melodramatic" and "not as entertaining" as the rest of the album.[26] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times said: "Their manufactured origins surface on 'Secret Love Song', a by-the-numbers ballad watermarked with [Simon] Cowell's foreboding features."[27] Andy Gill of The Independent criticised Derulo's "ghastly, tremulous vibrato" on the track, calling it "by far, the worst [irritation]" on Get Weird.[8] Matthew Horton of Virgin Media opined that "Secret Love Song" failed to help the album "catch fire", dismissing it as "syrupy" and "an unrequired duet".[28]

Chart performance

"Secret Love Song" debuted at number 66 on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 14 January 2016, selling 8,635 units in its first week.[29] It climbed to number 34 the following week with sales of 14,964 units.[30] On February 12 2016, the song reached a new peak of number 7 selling 44,565, bringing its total to 172,000.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Secret Love Song" was directed by Frank Borin.[31] It was filmed at London Bridge[32] and Tower Bridge[31] in London on 16 and 17 December 2015 from 13:00 to 03:00 BST.[33] Derulo's scenes were shot on 8 December 2015.[19] Stomp Models casted a Derulo look-alike, and three couples: one homosexual, one heterosexual and one interracial.[33] Thirlwall previously revealed on Twitter on 5 November 2015 that the group had pictured the video to depict the struggles of a LGBT couple.[14] Stomp Models required the couples to be relatable and emotional with "a cool or hip factor", and to act with a sense of longing and fulfilment.[33] Cast members were hired for £200, agency fee inclusive.[33] Thirlwall said the music video is "very different" from the group's previous visuals.[34]

Borin posted image teasers from the production on Instagram throughout December 2015.[31] On 8 December 2015, MTV shared a preview image from Derulo's scenes.[19] Footage of Thirlwall filming her scenes surfaced online on 13 January 2016, the version she was singing was from part 2 of the song confirming a video for both versions will be filmed.[31] The group teased a snapshot from the video on Instagram on 21 January 2016.[32]

When the video was released on 3 February 2016, six days later than expected, all the scenes featuring the same sex couple, the opposite sex couple and the interracial couple had been removed from the final cut, and on its release, only British fans could access the video, before worldwide viewing was enabled a few days later.[35]

Live performances

Little Mix and Derulo first performed "Secret Love Song" at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball on 5 December 2015.[17] They are performed "Secret Love Song" on The Graham Norton Show on 12 February 2016, also with Derulo even though he wasn't involved at any other point in the show. They also performed as guests for Derulo on his world tour gig at The O2 Arena to sing the song

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[2]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 88
Ireland (IRMA)[37] 20
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[38] 4
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[39] 7

References

  1. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (16 July 2015). "Little Mix's new album Get Weird: Everything we know so far, from release date to collaborations". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Get Weird (Media notes). Little Mix. Syco Music. 2015. p. 17. 888751287327.
  3. 1 2 3 "Jason Derulo Says His Little Mix Collab On 'Secret Love Song' Is About A Real Affair!". Capital. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Davidson, Amy (31 July 2015). "Jason Derulo listened to Little Mix's 'Want to Want Me' cover and he's a big fan". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Smith, Carl (15 October 2015). "Little Mix announce Jason Derulo collaboration 'Secret Love Song' and "Love Me Like You': The Collection". Sugarscape.com. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. 1 2 Wootton, Dan (5 November 2015). "Little Mix's Get Weird is wonderful". The Sun (United Kingdom). Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Lindner, Emilee (6 November 2015). "The 13 Emotional Stages of Listening To Little Mix's New Album". MTV News. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  8. 1 2 Gill, Andy (6 November 2015). "Little Mix, Get Weird - album review". The Independent. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. ↑ Ohandjanian, Sevana (18 November 2015). "Little Mix Get Weird Sevana Ohandjanian". TheMusic.com.au. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Liveblog: a first listen to the Little Mix album". Popjustice. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  11. ↑ Hoffman, William (6 December 2015). "Little Mix and Jason Derulo Give Live Debut of 'Secret Love Song' at Jingle Bell Ball". Music Times. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  12. ↑ Tharrett, Matthew (10 November 2015). "Little Mix Quietly Drops LGBT Anthem About Forbidden Love". NewNowNext Awards. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  13. ↑ Riddell, Rose (11 November 2015). "A Little Mix x 'Get Weird' appreciation post". Coup de main. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 Corner, Lewis (6 November 2015). "Little Mix's new song 'Secret Love Song, Pt II' is an LGBT anthem". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  15. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (8 September 2015). "Little Mix Reveal Tracklist for Upcoming 'Get Weird' Album". Fuse. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  16. ↑ Menyes, Carolyn (14 October 2015). "Little Mix Tap Jason Derulo for 'Secret Love Song' on New Album 'Get Weird'". Music Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  17. 1 2 Iasimone, Ashley (5 December 2015). "Little Mix & Jason Derulo Perform 'Secret Love Song' Together for the First Time: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  18. ↑ Rodriguez, Aurora (11 January 2016). "Little Mix Showcase Artwork For 'Secret Love Song'". J-14. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 O'Mance, Brad (9 December 2015). "Jason Derulo stands near a window in the video for his Little Mix duet". Popjustice. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  20. ↑ Corner, Lewis (4 November 2015). "Little Mix Get Weird album review: More sparkle, style and sex". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  21. ↑ http://www.sugarscape.com/music/news/a1083880/little-mix-get-weird-review/
  22. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/03/little-mix-secret-love-song-jason-derulo_n_9148038.html
  23. ↑ Adams, Cameron (12 November 2015). "Latest Album Reviews: Kylie Minogue, King Gizzard, Jamie Woon, Little Mix & City Calm Down". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 January 2016 – via News.com.au.
  24. ↑ Gibsone, Hariet (5 November 2015). "Little Mix: Get Weird review – no growing up for candy-coloured pop stars". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  25. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (10 November 2015). "'Tuned In' review: Little Mix's 'Get Weird' doesn't get weird enough". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  26. ↑ Levine, Nick (3 November 2015). "Little Mix - 'Get Weird'". NME. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  27. ↑ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (6 November 2015). "Little Mix: Get Weird — review". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 January 2016. (subscription required)
  28. ↑ Horton, Matthew (6 November 2015). "Little Mix - Get Weird". Virgin Media. Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  29. ↑ Jones, Alan (8 January 2016). "Official Charts Analysis: Justin Bieber makes Singles Chart history". Music Week. Retrieved 16 January 2016. (subscription required)
  30. ↑ Jones, Alan (15 January 2016). "Official Charts Analysis: Bieber continues to dominate Top 5 singles". Music Week. Retrieved 16 January 2016. (subscription required)
  31. 1 2 3 4 Smith, Carl (13 January 2016). "Little Mix shoot 'Secret Love Song Part 2' music video". Sugarscape.com. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  32. 1 2 Baxter-Wright, Dusty (21 January 2016). "Little Mix and Jason Derulo tease 'Secret Love Song' video". Sugarscape.com. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 4 "Little Mix Featuring Jason Derulo Music Video". Stomp Models. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  34. ↑ Little Mix (11 December 2015). Little Mix talk 2015 highlights at BBC Music Awards. Interview with Melissa Nathoo. ITN. London – via The Belfast Telegraph.
  35. ↑ http://www.teen.com/2016/02/03/music/little-mix-jason-derulo-secret-love-song-music-video-backlash/
  36. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (13 February 2016). "ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 6, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  38. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-01-22". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  39. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-02-18" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 February 2016.

External links

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