If you have been on TikTok lately, you might have heard a catchy song with the lyrics “Sometimes all I think about is you, late nights in the middle of June“. The song is called Heat Waves by Glass Animals, a British experimental rock band that has been making waves in the music industry with their unique sound and style.
But what is the story behind this viral hit?
How did it go from being a personal song about loss and longing to a global anthem of nostalgia and romance?
Here is everything you need to know about Glass Animals’ Heat Waves lyrics and their journey to the top charts.
The Origin of Heat Waves
Heat Waves is the fourth single from Glass Animals’ third studio album, Dreamland, which was released in August 2020. The song was written and produced by the band’s frontman, Dave Bayley, who also plays guitar, keyboards, and drums. Bayley said that he wrote the song in just an hour, late at night, while playing around with his guitar. He said that he was feeling nostalgic and reflective, as he had lost someone close to him whose birthday was in June. He also said that he was inspired by the heat waves that were happening in London at the time, which made him feel like he was “swimming in a mirror”.
The song is about being unable to get over a relationship that has ended but also accepting that it was for the best. Bayley sings from the perspective of someone who still thinks about their ex-lover but also realises that they need a better life than he can offer. He also acknowledges that he has lost touch with himself, as he is so caught up in his memories and emotions. He sings:
You just need a better life than this. You need something I can never give Fake water all across the road It’s gone now the night has come but You can’t fight it You can’t breathe You say something so loving but Now I’ve got to let you go
The chorus of the song repeats the hook “sometimes all I think about is you, late nights in the middle of June“, which has become a popular phrase on TikTok and other social media platforms. The line captures the feeling of missing someone who was once a part of your life, especially during the summer months when everything seems more romantic and carefree. The song also features a psychedelic pop sound that blends elements of R&B, pop rock, and hip hop, creating a contrast between the upbeat melody and the melancholy lyrics.
The Success of Heat Waves
Heat Waves was released as a single on June 26, 2020, along with a music video directed by Colin Read. The video shows Bayley carrying a boombox in a wheelbarrow through the streets of East London while people watch him from their windows or join him in his dance. The video is meant to be a tribute to live music culture, which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures. Bayley said that he wanted to show how music can bring people together, even in difficult times.
The song received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its catchy hook, its emotional depth, and its sonic experimentation. The song also became a sleeper hit, meaning that it gradually gained popularity over time rather than immediately after its release. The song benefited from being featured on various playlists, radio stations, TV shows, and movies, as well as being used extensively on TikTok and other social media platforms. The song also received several remixes and covers from different artists and genres, such as Diplo, Oliver Heldens, Sonny Fodera, Iann Dior, Holly Humberstone, and more.
As of May 2021, Heat Waves had reached number one in Australia, Canada, Lithuania, Switzerland, and the United States, where it topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 12 weeks, breaking the record for the longest-running number one by a British act on that chart. At 91 weeks, it is the longest charting song on the Hot 100 of all time, surpassing Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.
The song has also reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and been a top-five hit in several other European countries. By September 2022, the song had accumulated more than two billion streams on Spotify. At the 2022 Brit Awards, Heat Waves was nominated for Best British Single. It won the Song of the Year award at the 2021 NME Awards, and was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
The Impact of Heat Waves
Heat Waves has become more than just a song; it has become a cultural phenomenon that resonates with millions of people around the world. The song has captured the mood of a generation that has experienced unprecedented challenges and changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The song has also tapped into the universal themes of love, loss, nostalgia, and hope that are relevant to anyone who has ever had a meaningful relationship in their life. The song has also inspired countless creative expressions, such as fan art, memes, videos, stories, and more.
Bayley said that he was surprised and humbled by the success and impact of the song, as he never expected it to reach such a wide audience.
It’s bizarre but amazing. I’m so happy that people have connected with the song in their own way. It’s a very personal song for me, but I think it can also be interpreted in different ways. It’s a song about love, but also about self-love and finding yourself. I’m glad that it has helped some people cope with the pandemic and the isolation that comes with it. I’m also amazed by the creativity and talent that people have shown with their own versions and interpretations of the song. It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be part of this musical journey.
Dave Bayley, in various interviews and podcasts, said that he originally wrote the song for another artist, but decided to keep it for himself after he realised how personal it was. He also said that he recorded some of the vocals in his bathroom, using his phone as a microphone. He also said that he was influenced by artists like Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Drake when making the song.
Conclusion
Glass Animals’ Heat Waves is a song that has transcended its original context and become a global sensation. The song has touched the hearts and minds of millions of people who relate to its lyrics and vibe. The song has also showcased the artistic vision and versatility of Glass Animals, who have proven themselves to be one of the most innovative and influential bands of their generation. The song has also demonstrated the power and potential of music as a form of expression, communication, and connection, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty. Heat Waves is not just a song; it is a phenomenon that will be remembered for years to come.
Heat Waves Glass Animals lyrics
Intro
(Last night, all I think about is you)
(Don’t stop, baby, you can walk through)
(Don’t want, baby, think about you)
(You know that I’m never gonna lose)
Road shimmer wigglin’ the vision
Heat, heat waves, I’m swimmin’ in a mirror
Road shimmer wigglin’ the vision
Heat, heat waves, I’m swimmin’ in a—
Chorus
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Verse 1
Usually, I put somethin’ on TV
So we never think about you and me
But today, I see our reflections clearly
In Hollywood, layin’ on the screen
You just need a better life than this
You need somethin’ I can never give
Fake water all across the road
It’s gone now, the night has come, but
Chorus
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Verse 2
You can’t fight it, you can’t breathe
You say somethin’ so lovin’, but
Now I gotta let you go
You’ll be better off in someone new
I don’t wanna be alone
You know it hurts me too
You look so broken when you cry
One more and then I say goodbye
Chorus
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Bridge
I just wonder what you’re dreamin’ of
When you sleep and smile so comfortable
I just wish that I could give you that
That look that’s perfectly un-sad
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Chorus
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin’ me out
Can’t make you happier now
Outro
Road shimmer wigglin’ the vision
Heat, heat waves, I’m swimmin’ in a mirror
Road shimmer wigglin’ the vision
Heat, heat waves, I’m swimmin’ in a mirror
