"Sweet Nothing" | |||||||||||
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Single by Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch | |||||||||||
from the album 18 Months | |||||||||||
Released | 12 October 2012 | ||||||||||
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Genre | EDM | ||||||||||
Length | 3:32 | ||||||||||
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Writer(s) |
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Producer(s) | Calvin Harris | ||||||||||
Calvin Harris singles chronology | |||||||||||
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"Sweet Nothing" is a song by Scottish recording artist and record producer Calvin Harris from his third studio album, 18 Months (2012). It features vocals from Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch. Harris previously worked with the band in a remix of their single, "Spectrum" (2012). While recording 18 Months, Harris expressed interest in working with Welch. He mentioned that it was not easy and he had to chase her, due to schedule conflicts. Welch accepted his invitation and the two recorded "Sweet Nothing". The track premiered on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 on 28 August 2012 and was later released as the fifth single from the album on 12 October 2012.
"Sweet Nothing" is an electronic dance music song, with heartfelt vocals and an escalating beat. Lyrically, it talks about a romance with no depth, where the protagonist is receiving "sweet nothing". "Sweet Nothing" received favourable reviews, with many critics praising its production and Welch's vocals. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking Harris' first number-one single as a main artist in the United Kingdom since his 2009 single, "I'm Not Alone". The song is also Welch's first top-ten hit in the United States, peaking at number 10. "Sweet Nothing" was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 56th Grammy Awards.
The music video for the song, directed by Vincent Haycock, premiered on 20 September 2012. In the video, Welch works as a singer at a bar or club, pouring the pain and frustration of her unfulfilled life and abusive relationship into every revealing and explosive performance. However, after recognising the benefits of her seedy environment, she plots to rid herself of her boyfriend.
"It's more satisfying when you're pursuing something. It's like chasing a girl or something. It's way more satisfying if you put in a year's worth of effort of chasing and then you get the result, you get the vocal."