Rita Ora has returned with her latest single, introducing her next era of music. “You Only Love Me” is a new level of vulnerability that she has never touched on in previous releases. She wrote the song during the beginning stages of her relationship with her husband. The song discusses the delicate period in a relationship when you love someone, but are unsure if they reciprocate those feelings. The pre-chorus introduces her fears with the lyrics, “I try, I try, and I try// To tell myself it’s alright// ‘Cause I’m terrified.” She then immediately follows up in the chorus with the hook: “You only love me when// The whiskey’s pouring// Four in the morning” and “You only love me when the// Night is over// No one to hold ya.” These lyrics reveal the anxiety-filled thoughts that run through her mind; That the one she loves only wants her when they are drunk and lonely, and not because they truly love and cherish her. This is a feeling that many listeners can relate to in their own life, and this song may be a sense of comfort for them. They see that Ora has gone through this complex time in a relationship, yet she still made it to the other side happily married to her partner. “You Only Love Me” is a remarkable track that perfectly encapsulates these vulnerable thoughts through a high-energy electric-pop production.
“You Only Love Me” is an energetic track that effortlessly compels the audience to dance along to the infectious beat. Before the music begins, the track starts with a unique touch that only Ora can provide: a voice memo from legendary film director, Taika Waititi. As her husband, he provides his charming New Zealand accent to introduce the track saying, “Rita, it’s me.” From there, the production kicks off and Ora’s angelic vocals begin. The listener is led through the verse by a subtle piano and simple beats. This perfectly leads into the pre-chorus, where the music begins to intensify. The synth production hypes the listener up, making them anticipate the beat drop at the end of the chorus. The remainder of the track continues with a high-energy that is only found in the best electronic dance songs. The corresponding video is the perfect complement to the unforgettable track. The video is complete with a star-studded cast and intriguing visuals, including cameos from icons such as Lindsay Lohan and Kristen Stewart. Ora is found surrounded by her “badmaids”, while she is the star of the show as the stunning bride, making the video one to remember. “You Only Love Me” is a lively track that highlights Ora’s mesmerizing vocals while navigating her vulnerable emotions.
Rita Ora is one of the UK’s most successful modern pop singer-songwriters. Her debut album, Ora, was released in 2012. This album topped the UK charts and included two #1 UK singles. She has a total of 4 #1 UK singles and holds the record for the most Top 10 singles for a British female artist in the history of the UK. She was recently awarded the “Entertainer Award” at the 2022 UK Glamour Women of the Year awards. She has collaborations with artists such as Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, Kygo, and Iggy Azalea. She has also dabbled in acting, taking on projects such as Fast & Furious 6, the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, and Southpaw. She has made a huge name for herself in both the music and film industries. “You Only Love Me” is the first snippet of her highly anticipated upcoming album, set for a summer 2023 release.
Written By Karlee Skipper
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