We’re Forever Stuck on beabadoobee’s "Glue Song"
Photo: Jake Erland
"Findin' the right words to use for this song / I have you in mind so, it won't take so long."
Love has to be one of the most precious experiences that human beings can share with one another. How lucky are we to have people in our lives that accept us for who we are? We do not have to worry about anything in front of them – they do not care if your hair is messy, or that you sometimes forget to respond to their texts, or that you sing loudly without ever fully knowing the correct lyrics – your idiosyncrasies are why they love you, and merely existing is enough for the both of you to feel at home. On a day dedicated to love, what better way to celebrate than with the release of beabadoobee’s highly anticipated new single, "Glue Song?"
"Glue Song" is a love letter laced in adoration, butterflies, and all of those other indescribable feelings that the right person can bring about. Its sound reminds me of a slow dance with your middle school crush, stepping from side to side as the world around you disappears. With instrumentation just as soft and sweet as its lyricism, beabadoobee expresses her love over a mellow acoustic guitar and heartfelt strings. Bea sings about two lovers who become so intertwined, they are stuck to each other, like glue, singing, “I'm not wrong when I say ‘I've been stuck by the glue onto you.'”
“I wrote a lot of this song while on tour across Australia and Asia in the back of cars and traveling. It’s a heartfelt song that means a lot to me.... A love song and the first one I’ve written in my new relationship. I usually write these songs that are sad, in the past with my writing even when it doesn’t sound sad looking back, the lyrics usually have been. For the first time this is just me being really happy. I’m in a really positive place for the first time in a long time and feeling love. We recorded the song with my guitarist and producer Jacob in his house and added in trumpets and strings,” shares beabadoobee.
Bea and her partner Jacob Erland flew to Ilo Ilo, Bea’s hometown in the Philippines, to direct the official music video for "Glue Song." Shot on 16mm film, the visuals are stunning, intimate, and full of all kinds of love, both familial and romantic. By including her partner, her family, and her community into the creation process, the "Glue Song" music video feels all the more special.
Following the release of beabadoobee’s critically acclaimed 2022 album Beatopia, "Glue Song" demonstrates a stark contrast to Bea’s otherwise punk rock-inspired sound, stripping down to the basics and allowing the listener to soak in each and every intonation and cadence of her pure and angelic vocals. While listening to "Glue Song," it’s almost as if you can hear Bea smiling from ear to ear as she sings. If there’s one takeaway to be found here, it is that beabadoobee has proven just how beautiful the simplicity of love can be.
Take this as your sign to text "Glue Song" to your Valentine.