Joel Corry on why 'Lonely' was a very important record for him
It was the follow-up to his breakthrough hit 'Sorry'
Last updated 1st Nov 2023
Joel Corry had his breakthrough in the music industry with 'Sorry', when it became a Love Island anthem in 2019, however just as important, was the follow-up 'Lonely'.
In a recent video, shared on TikTok, Joel has revealed why 'Lonely' was a very important record to him, and the story behind it.
'Lonely' was released in January 2020, and became Joel's second Top 10 hit in the UK. Following the success of 'Sorry', Joel was keen to keep the momentum up, and revealed that he even had the song ready to drop, while 'Sorry' was in the charts.
"What people don't really know, is that while 'Sorry' was out, I actually had 'Lonely'," Joel explained.
"I had it ready, I knew that like having my first hit record was going to be a big moment, but what was more important is how I followed it up, and I needed to keep the momentum going.
"(I) sat down with the A&R and product manager at Atlantic and I was like, guys you know I got the next one already, and they were like 'what?', and I was like... got my speaker out, played 'Lonely' and I was like, this is the next one."
He continued: "'Lonely' is a record that I made with Harlee, she is the vocalist on the record and part of the writing team on it as well, and she's an amazing girl and somebody that (I) have a really good relationship with, and support so much."
"'Lonely' was really an important record for me because it was the follow up to my first hit record and I think there is a lot of pressure on artists to not be like a one-hit wonder and that does play on your mind. You know you just had this big moment and you feel like the world's opened up to you and you just want to get that second record away."
The DJ went on to reveal how he felt there was a 'synergy' between his first two songs, explaining: "'Sorry' into 'Lonely', in my head they all kind of linked like a little story."
While Joel has been on tour, promoting his debut album 'Another Friday Night', he has also been sharing some of the stories behind his early hits. The DJ opened up about how he created Love Island anthem 'Sorry' from a garage classic, and why he nearly didn't release his Number 1-selling hit 'Head & Heart' with MNEK in the height of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Joel will be performing at VOXI Presents KISS Haunted House Party, in Liverpool, on 28th October. Tickets are available now!
You can hear songs by Joel Corry on Northsound 1.
Take a look through Joel Corry's amazing career:
2013: Joel Corry starred in Geordie Shore
Joel starred in Geordie Shore until 2013 with his then-girlfriend Sophie Kasaei.
Joel Corry releases his fitness app
Joel set up his own personal training business with an app called Joel Corry PT.
2019: Joel Corry releases 'Sorry'
'Sorry' was one of the biggest hits around when it was released it 2019. The summer anthem was featured on Love Island and became the 'most Shazamed track in one day, with 41,000 Shazams'.
2019: Joel Corry appears at Hits Live
In an interview with us at Hits Live, Joel told us about his incredible Summer touring the world in places like Ibiza, Malia, Magaluf and Zante.
He said, "It's honestly been the most incredible Summer, I've been DJing in resorts like Zante, Malia, Managua, Ibiza, and it's been such a buzz because the tune has been massive out there. There's been loads of highlights over the Summer really, Ibiza is amazing, it's my favourite place in the world, so to watch it go off over the has just been incredible."
2020: Joel Corry releases 'Lonely'
'Lonely' was released on 24th January 2020 and it has been very successful for Joel.
'Lonely' reached Number 4 in the UK charts, the single has also been certified Gold in the UK moving 400,000 units!
It has also had more than 10 million views on YouTube since it was released in January 2020.
2020: Joel Corry's song featured at a car rave in Germany
During the lockdown we've all had to practice social-distancing, however in Germany they held a car rave for those who were missing a night out. Here Joel's song 'Lonely' got the crowd going.
Check out the video on Twitter
2020: Joel Corry and MNEK release 'Head & Heart'
Joel Corry and MNEK release 'Head & Heart' on 3rd July 2020 and shortly afterwards it goes to Number 1 in the UK.
2020: Joel Corry and MNEK's 'Head & Heart' certified Platinum
'Head & Heart' is certified Platinum in the UK making it Joel's third Platinum-selling single.
2021: Joel Corry releases 'BED' alongside RAYE and David Guetta
In February 2021, Joel Corry released the single 'BED' with RAYE and David Guetta!
2022: David Guetta, Joel Corry and Bryson Tiller released 'What Would You Do?"
On 18th March 2022, Joel Corry released his new song, a collab with David Guetta and singer Bryson Tiller called 'What Would You Do?'.
2022: Joel Corry appeared on Love Island
Becky wasn't the only famous face to appear in the 2022 series. DJ Joel Corry surprised Islanders with a set during the VIBE party.
2022: Joel Corry and Becky Hill released 'History'
Joel Corry and Becky Hill released 'History' in August 2022. Their collab had been teased for months, so fans were very happy to finally hear the finished song on 5th August.
2022: Joel Corry and Tom Grennan release 'Lionheart (Fearless)'
Joel Corry and Tom Grennan released 'Lionheart (Fearless)' in October 2022. The song's music video sees the pair being put through their paces at a military assault course.
2023: Joel Corry releases 'Dance Around It' with Caity Baser
In May 2023, Joel and Caity released their banger 'Dance Around It'. Speaking about the release of his song, Joel said: "'Dance Around It' has been killing it in my club sets. Working with Caity on this record has been so much fun, she's really talented and I love her energy. The track feels super fresh and it really shows off Caity's personality. I'm buzzing to 'Dance Around It' all summer!"
2023: '0800 Heaven' with Nathan Dawe and Ella Henderson
Joel Corry, Nathan Dawe and Ella Henderson released their banger '0800 Heaven' back in June 2023, followed by an acoustic version a month later. The trio's song was written by Nathan and Ella, with Ella telling us: "This has happened very, very fast. The next thing you know he's (Nathan) sent it to Joel, Joel rings me and he's like, 'I want to come on it, we've got to do it together', and then, here we are, it's happening! So, we're absolutely buzzing.
"It is a really fun record," she continued.
Joel Corry / Rita Ora - 'Drinkin''
Joel Corry and Rita Ora released 'Drinkin'' in September 2023. The banger was premiered while it was at a gig in Ibiza.
2023: Joel Corry releases his debut album 'Another Friday Night'
Joel Corry has released his debut album called 'Another Friday Night'. It was released on 6th October 2023. The album features his bangers from the last few years as well as new material.
2023: Joel Corry received a BRIT Billion Award
Joel Corry received a BRIT Billion Award for a billion UK streams. The DJ told his fans in a video: "I wanted to say a massive thank you to the BRITs for this BRIT Billion Award, one billion streams in the UK... that is absolutely incredible.
"Thank you to everyone that's streaming my music, I'm just so glad that you guys are loving the tunes, and honestly this is just more motivation for me to work harder and keep those bangers coming for you in 2024. Let's go!"
November 2024: Joel Corry performs at Hits Radio Live Birmingham
In November 2024, Joel performed all his biggest hits at Hits Radio Live at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE arena. He joined a line-up great musical talent including Tom Grennan, Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sigala, Tom Walker, Pixie Lott and Sugababes for the first night of the two-night event.
Now read:
Read all of the lyrics to Joel Corry's song 'Lonely'
How Joel Corry turned 'Sorry' from a garage classic into a Love Island anthem
Joel Corry reveals why he nearly DIDN'T release 'Head & Heart' with MNEK