On this installment of Behind the Song, we take a deep dive into the pop-rock world of the final track on our debut EP, Please. Please was the b-side to our first single The Fountain, and supported the a-side by balancing the heaviness with a smoother, more pop focused edge. It’s the dark horse on the EP, a shinier little pop-influenced diamond sitting among the loud guitars, drums, and vocals of the rest of the record. Here’s a little bit on the lyrics, the recording, and influences that led to our song, ‘Please’.
Writing the Song ‘Please’
Please is definitely the stand out track on. revival, not just in sound and presentation, but also lyrically. After listening to quite a bit of Brit pop and feeling quite melancholy, the idea of the sang came to me. That idea of the stereotypical, misogamist viewpoint of wanting a woman to stay over. You know the cliches: stay with me so we can shag. That’s it. The end goal.
LISTEN TO THE FOUNTAIN ON:
Not so much in this song. I wanted to write a song from the viewpoint of a person who just wants company. Life can be harsh, isolating, and mistakes being constantly made, and sometimes a person to talk to and hold, or be held, can make a world of difference. That’s what this song is about, having zero intentions and wanting someone to stay just for the sake of social interaction.
There’s also a fun little jab to the holiday classic ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’. See if you can spot it:
Here are the actual lyrics:
Verse 1:
We’re making mistakes,
and let’s make this together.
You might as well stay,
you’ve got me now forever.
We can think of something, Or just do nothing.
Chorus:
This time won’t you please stay over
This time won’t you please
This time won’t you please stay over
This time won’t you please
Verse 2:
I’ve got no intentions,
nothing really on my mind
Just want some attention,
and plus it’s cold outside
Chorus:
This time won’t you please stay over
This time won’t you please
This time won’t you please stay over
This time won’t you please
Recording the Song ‘Please’
‘Please’ is the only song on the EP not recorded in the live fashion as the other songs were recorded. We incorporated a drum loop and a simple, 2 chord, guitar riff. The mix is very simple with only the drum loop, bass, and two guitars. The vocals, as were all of the vocals on the EP, recorded in a moving vehicle through an iPhone headset direct into GarageBand.
The Inspiration Behind Please
As mentioned multiple times, and upon hearing the song you’ll completely understand, ‘Please’ stands out on the record. This is no more evident than in the music that inspired the song, as well. Below is a playlist of music that heavily inspired it’s writing and recording. This playlist includes music from SpaceHog, Eric Clapton, and more.