Anne-Marie and Nathan Dawe admit lockdown has given them more time to be creative 🎶

“We’ve had more time to get our teeth into the art”

Author: Natalie ReesPublished 15th Apr 2021

Anne-Marie and DJ Nathan Dawe have admitted that whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has been awful for everyone, it has allowed creatives like them to focus more on their craft.

Jordan Lee caught up with the pair to chat about their brand-new track ‘Way Too Long’.

‘Lighter’ hitmaker Nathan said, “I think for creatives and artists like ourselves, it has enabled us to have so much more time than we usually do to put into our craft and create music and that’s what we’ve done. We have had a lot more time to really get our teeth into the art.”

The catchy feel-good song is Anne-Marie’s first release since her January 2021 collaboration ‘Don’t Play’ alongside rapper KSI and producer Digital Farm Animals.

Anne-Marie added, “We have had so much more time to be creative and it is such a good feeling. When you’re on tour and so busy you almost feel like a bit of a fraud. I’ve always wanted to give music a bit more time but we just never have had it but this year has given us that.”

The pair have collaborated with rapper MoStack on the track, who has also worked with the likes of AJ Tracey and BRIT Award-winner Dave.

Whilst Nathan and Anne-Marie haven’t released a track together previously, the singer-songwriter said it was always the plan.

She said, “I met Nathan and we were in the studio a little while back and his energy is so great. We were always planning on doing a song, I actually have a couple of the ones we have done which will be on my album. I just loved working with him.

“It’s rare I connect with a song I get sent, but as soon as I listened to this song, it made me feel better as soon as I heard it. I was recording it in my living room the next day!”

Nathan Dawe has enjoyed a string of hits in recent months including his 2020 song ‘Lighter’ with KSI and ‘No Time For Tears’ alongside Little Mix, which gave the producer his third UK Top 20 single.

He added, “I’m hoping this song is going to give everyone joy and happiness. It’s a really good on-topic record, Anne-Marie and MoStack sound amazing on it. I’m so happy it’s finally out in the world.”

The official video for the new single is out now and features the trio driving around in a red convertible and partying in a country mansion.

Check out some of Anne-Marie's biggest collaborations:

‘Rumour Mill’ with Rudimental and Will Heard

In 2015 the star teamed up with Rudimental and Will Heard to bring us the funky tune 'Rumour Mill', which made the UK Dance Top 20.

‘Rockabye’ with Clean Bandit and Sean Paul

This chart-topping hit was released back in 2016, gracing us with a killer collab between Anne-Marie, Clean Bandit and Sean Paul! With these huge names involved, it's no surprise the song hit Number 1 in multiple countries, including the UK.

‘Either Way’ with Snakehips and Joey Badass

In 2017 the singer collaborated with British electronic duo Snakehips and American rapper Joey Badass on this vibey tune.

‘Remember I Told You’ with Nick Jonas and Mike Posner

That same year, the singer teamed up with none other than Nick Jonas and 'Cooler Than Me' superstar Mike Posner.

‘FRIENDS’ with Marshmello

Who can forget her iconic collab with electronic music producer/DJ Marshmello? The pair dropped the catchy bop 'FRIENDS' in 2018, climbing to Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.

‘Rewrite the Stars’ with James Arthur

Featured on the hit 2018 album 'The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack', this collab with James Arthur flew up to Number 7 in the UK Charts. James is known for huge songs such as 'Say You Won't Let Go', 'Naked' and 'Can I Be Him'.

‘Let Me Live’ with Rudimental and Major Lazer

In 2018, the singer teamed up with Rudimental once more, and with the help of Major Lazer brought us the dance bop 'Let Me Live'.

‘Don't Leave Me Alone’ with David Guetta

Teaming up with superstar French DJ David Guetta in 2018, the singer brought us the electro bop 'Don't Leave Me Alone', with the song hitting the UK Top 20.

'Lonely' with Lauv

Anne-Marie teamed up with US singer Lauv on 'Lonely', released in August 2019. It appeared on Lauv's debut album 'How I'm Feeling' in March 2020 and also on the soundtrack of 13 Reasons Why's third season.

‘To Be Young’ with Doja Cat

Anne-Marie recently collaborated with Doja Cat to bring us 'To Be Young'. Doja Cat cruised her way into the UK Charts in 2019 with the catchy tune 'Say So'.

'Come Over' with Rudimental and Tion Wayne

Anne-Marie reunited with Rudimental in August 2020 for the incredible garage track 'Come Over', also featuring Tion Wayne. They were also able to film a socially distanced live performance, released in October.

'Don't Play' with KSI and Digital Farm Animals

'Don't Play' was released in January 2021 and reached Number 2 in the UK chart.

'Way Too Long' with Nathan Dawe and MoStack

Anne-Marie teamed up with DJ and producer Nathan Dawe and rapper MoStack for 'Way Too Long' released in April 2021. The track also appeared on Anne-Marie's second album 'Therapy', released in July 2021.

'Our Song' with Niall Horan

After teasing last year that we may have a collaboration between the pair coming our way, Anne-Marie took to her Instagram on 13th May to announce that her and Niall Horan would be releasing a brand new track called 'Our Song' on 21st May 2021! And it's safe to say it's a banger.

'Kiss My (Uh Oh)' with Little Mix

Anne-Marie dropped one of the biggest collabs of the decade with Little Mix on the SAME DAY as the release of her second album, 'Therapy'! 'Kiss My (Uh Oh)' is a huge summer tune, sampling the classic 'Never Leave You (Uh Oh)' by Lumidee and we are HUGE fans here at Hits Radio.


Anne-Marie later announced she would be releasing a 'Girl Power' remix of the track, featuring huge names Becky Hill, Raye and Stefflon Don, on 26th August 2021.

'I Just Called' with Latto and Neiked

Anne-Marie lended her voice to 'I Just Called' with Latto and Neiked in 2022, which interpolated Stevie Wonder's 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'.

'Psycho' with Aitch

Anne-Marie started dropping teasers for her new song 'Psycho' in August 2022, and followed this up with the news that it was actually a collab with rapper Aitch before dropping the track on 9th September. It is thought to be the first release from her upcoming third album.

'Baby Don't Hurt Me' with David Guetta and Coi Leray

In 2023, Anne-Marie teamed up with DJ legend David Guetta once again, this time enlisting the help of rapper Coi Leray. Released on 7th April, the track - titled 'Baby Don't Hurt Me' - samples a rather familiar bop from 1993, Haddaway's 'What Is Love?'.

'Unhealthy' with Shania Twain

Anne-Marie teamed up with none other than country music icon Shania Twain in May 2023 on 'Unhealthy' - the title track of her third album. The single reached Number 18 on the UK Chart.

'You & I' with Khalid

Anne-Marie released her third album 'Unhealthy' in July 2023, which includes an amazing collaboration with Khalid entitled 'You & I'.

Now read:

Anne-Marie: Everything we know about her second album so far 💕

Anne-Marie: Everything you need to know about the 'To Be Young' singer

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.