The meanings behind Tom Walker's most popular songs
They're quite deep!
Tom Walker's debut album 'What a Time to Be Alive' was Number 1 in the UK and certified Platinum - which is no surprise really, considering his songs are so incredibly catchy. But what was the inspiration behind some of his biggest hits, and what do they mean?
Following the release of the former London busker's second album, and his recent performance at Hits Radio Live Birmingham, as well as his plans to join The Script on their 'Satellites' tour, we thought we'd have a look at the meanings behind some of the singer's biggest songs, including 'Leave a Light On' and 'Just You and I'.
'Leave A Light On'
After initially releasing a number of songs 2016 and 2017, it was in October 2017 that Tom Walker's breakthrough single 'Leave A Light On' saw his music career really take off. 'Leave A Light On' reached Number 7 in the UK and it was a Top 10 single around the world.
In a 2018 interview with Idolator, Tom opened up about his single, telling them what it was all about. The song has two music videos and Tom explained the reason for the second one saying: "I wanted to get across to the fans what the song was actually about.
"It’s about a friend of mine who was struggling with addiction, but also everybody I know, myself included, at some point in their lives has struggled with some form of addiction, whether it be drinking too much, or eating too much.
"You know, whatever it is, I think somebody at some point has struggled with addiction. I just wanted to write this song for my family and my friends to let them know that we can talk about it."
Whilst many songs are upbeat and about going to clubs or having fun, Tom thinks too many songs are about that and if you've got: "A proper job and you’ve got a real life," then you might not go to a club often, continuing: "You have good days and you have bad days and I think a lot of pop music really highlights the one day a week that’s amazing. I like to highlight the everyday struggle of life."
'Leave A Light On' was produced by Steve Mac, who's worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Liam Payne, and Tom revealed they wrote the song very quickly: "In five or six hours."
WATCH: Tom Walker performs 'Leave A Light On' in Manchester
'Just You and I'
Tom Walker followed the success of his Top 10 single with 'Just You and I'. His 2019 re-release of 'Just You and I' (originally released in 2017) was even more popular that his breakthrough single, and reached Number 3 in the UK.
Tom explained in a tweet posted in January 2019 the reasons behind him releasing his song saying that 2018 was the best year of his life because he proposed to his then-girlfriend Annie, who said yes.
Tom continued his tweet in a thread which read: '... YES!!! As a little celebration, I thought I'd put a little spin on the original. I know this song means a lot to a lot of people out there, but you can't begin to understand what it means to me and Annie. Here's my favourite picture of us, finally getting to spend...'
Continuing: '...a bit of time together over Christmas. She is my queen, my one and only and makes me happier than anyone could possibly imagine. P.S feel free call me a soppy cheesy bastard, I'm cool with it 😘 feels nice to be in love and to be loved back all the same.'
'Just You and I' is a love song about the traits he likes in his significant other, with lyrics like: 'And I know, I can tell you anything / You won't judge, you're just listening / 'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me.'
WATCH: Tom Walker - 'Just You and I' (Official Video)
'Better Half Of Me'
Tom opened up to Rolling Stone magazine about the meaning behind this song, which was released in October 2019 and was certified Platinum by the BPI in May 2024 with 600,000 UK sales. He said: "'Better Half of Me' is about me and my fiancée Annie and our experiences over the last couple years.
"I know this sounds crazy but believe me, it’s more of a wedding song than ‘Just You and I.’ I can’t wait for you to hear that and see what you think."
Some of the lyrics include: 'I'd have all I need / If you were standing right in front of me / I'll finally see what it means to be complete / Don't need to spend our lives chasing gold / Anywhere with you, I'll call my home / Oh, I'd have all I need If you'd be the better half of me.'
WATCH: Tom Walker performs 'Better Half Of Me'
'Wait For You'
During the Coronavirus lockdown Tom Walker wrote his song 'Wait For You'. In an interview, Tom explained the inspiration behind his song was a good friend.
1\5 years ago, his friend went through something really tough, however as Tom explained: "It took them so long to recover, if you fast forward 15 years, you meet this person now, he’s one of the happiest outgoing, loveliest people you’ve ever met and living proof that even when times are diabolically hard you can overcome them. And I kind of thought that message was a good message for right now."
'Serotonin'
Tom released the song 'Serotonin' in April 2023, along with a stunning music video which was shot in Mexico City. Speaking about the song, Tom said: "Before the pandemic I spent four years chasing a serotonin hit, and that last gig that made me feel on top of the world. The last epic night out.
"It's not sustainable though - you can't wake up happy every day and you can't have the sun without the rain. You have to find joy in the little things and learn to appreciate them day to day."
WATCH: Tom Walker - 'Serotonin' (Official Video)
'Lifeline'
In March 2024, Tom released his song 'Lifeline', the song was inspired by one of Tom's friends who sadly took his own life. Talking about his song, Tom said: "Me and my friends lost one of our own suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s difficult to process grief. I felt we were all asking ourselves ‘what could I have done? What could I have said? What could have been done differently?’
"Sometimes people make choices that are beyond your control and it’s hard to help someone who isn’t reaching out. My hope is that maybe by writing a song like this that addresses the stigma behind mental health, it might persuade people to think twice and ask for a helping hand when they’re really struggling."
He continued: "CALM is an amazing charity who help people when things get too much. I'm keen to spread the word about their amazing work in any way that I can."
'Lifeline' has been released in partnership with CALM, a suicide prevention charity.
Tom's second album
In November 2019, Tom confirmed he had begun working on his second studio album, then four years later in November 2023, he announced it would be called 'I Am', due for release on 31st May 2024, however was then delayed until 20th September 2024. Tom has already released several songs from his album, including 'Burn' and 'Freaking Out'.
He also told us at Hits Live, in November 2023, that he still has a couple of songs to finish. Tom said: "I've been doing a lot of writing (this year), I'm finally like two tracks away from finishing my album, which is so exciting."
The singer went on to explain why he's so excited, saying: "I've been working on it for the longest, longest, time and it sounds so good and so exciting. So I just can't wait to get new music out, but I have been burying my head in the studio a lot of this year."
You can hear songs by Tom Walker on Hits Radio.
Take a look through albums out in 2024:
James Arthur
Release date: Out now
James Arthur released his fifth album 'Bitter Sweet Love' on 26th January 2024, having previously teased it would be out in 2023.
In an interview with us, he said one of the songs has a country vibe and: "I'd love Taylor Swift to be part (of it), or Miley Cyrus. Those girls cross over into the country and pop world and I'm kind of going there on this new album."
Zara Larsson
Release date: Out now
Zara Larsson has now released her fourth studio album, in addition to heading on a UK tour. The album is called 'Venus'.
Usher
Release date: Out now
Usher is set to release his first album since 2016 on the same day that he performs at the Super Bowl Half-Time show. The album is called 'Coming Home'.
Justin Timberlake
Release date: Out now
Justin Timberlake released his sixth studio album 'Everything I Thought It Was' on 15th March, which features his song 'Selfish', as well as a collab with *NSYNC.
Beyoncé
Release date: Out now
'Cowboy Carter' is Beyoncé's first country music album - and it did not disappoint! The singer announced the release date for her highly-anticipated second 'Renaissance' album during a Super Bowl advert, and released the tracklist just days before its release on 29th March.
Dua Lipa
Release date: Out now
Dua Lipa finally released her highly-anticipated third studio album on 3rd May 2024. Taking to Instagram, Dua revealed that the title of the album is 'Radical Optimism'.
Zayn
Release date: Out now
Zayn has now released his amazing fourth solo album. The album is called 'Room Under The Stairs', and features his popular song 'What I Am'.
Shaznay Lewis
Release date: Out now
Former All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis released her second solo album, her first in 20 years, in May. The new album is called 'Pages'.
Becky Hill
Release date: Out now
Becky Hill released her second album 'Believe Me Now?' in May 2024. The singer said she was: 'going back to my dance music roots'.
Charli XCX
Release date: Out now
Charli XCX released her hit album 'brat' in June 2024, the album became a massive hit spawning the 'brat summer' phenomenon.
Meghan Trainor
Release date: Out now
Meghan's highly-anticipated new album is called 'Timeless', and talking about the release, the singer wrote on Instagram: 'This album means so much to me and I cant wait to share even more soooon 🥹 GET READY.'
Eminem
Release date: Out now
Eminem has announced his 12th album 'The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)' will be released in the summer of 2024. The rapper has also announced that he will make his 'career disappear', so this album could be the last from the 'My Name Is' rapper.
Natasha Bedingfield
Release date: Out now
Natasha Bedingfield will release her debut album 'Unwritten' on vinyl for the first time, to celebrate 20 years since it was released. It will be issued 20 years to the day it was originally released.
Katy Perry
Release date: Out now
Katy Perry will release her sixth album '143' in September, the album features her songs 'Woman's World' and 'Lifetimes'.
Tom Walker
Release date: Out now
Tom Walker has announced he will be releasing his second album in 2024, called 'I Am'. The album will feature his hits 'Burn' and 'Freaking Out'.
Coldplay
Release date: Out now
Coldplay set new sustainability standards when they released their 10th studio album on 4th October 2024, called 'Moon Music'. The band's album is available on four physical formats, however there was a limited release in order to reduce waste. They vinyl version of their album was made from recycled plastic bottles.
Charli XCX
Release date: Out now
Just four months after the release of her sixth studio album 'brat', Charli dropped her first remix album, offering us up 16 new versions of the original tracks - but this time, featuring some HUGE artists. Released on 11th October, the remix album - titled 'Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat' featured names such as Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, Bon Iver, The 1975, Lorde and Addison Rae. Check out the full list here.
Kylie Minogue
Release date: Out now
Kylie Minogue has announced her 17th studio album, called 'Tension II', it is the sequel to her 2022 album 'Tension' and will feature her upcoming single 'Lights Camera Action'.
Shawn Mendes
Release date: Out now
Shawn Mendes will release his fifth studio album, 'Shawn', in October. The album features 12 songs including 'Why Why Why' and 'Isn't That Enough', which he will release on his birthday (8th August).
Gwen Stefani
Release date: Out now
Gwen Stefani has announced her fifth album will be called 'Bouquet', the album will features 10 songs, including one with her husband Blake Shelton, and include several songs that have a flower theme to them.
Rosé
Release date: 6th December 2024
Blackpink's Rosé is branching out on her own, bringing us her first solo album 'Rosie', complete with worldwide sensation 'Apt.', her collab with Bruno Mars. The single went to Number 2 in the chart and became an instant TikTok trend!
Ahead of the album's release, Rosé also gave us her new single 'Number One Girl', in November.
Olly Alexander
Release date: 7th February 2025
Olly Alexander is expected to release his first solo album under his own name in 2024. The singer told us in an interview in December 2024: "My whole album is almost finished... not quite, but I've got a lot of music there ready to go. So this Eurovision song, I'm just so, so, so excited it's going to be coming soon."
Perrie
Release date: Unknown
Perrie has announced her album has been finished and will be out this year, however she hasn't revealed what it will be called, or the exact release date. This album will be her first solo album since Little Mix started their hiatus in 2022.
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