| "Chocolate" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the 1975 | ||||
| from the EP Music for Cars and the album The 1975 | ||||
| Released | 4 March 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock [1] | |||
| Length | 3:44 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| The 1975 singles chronology | ||||
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"Chocolate" is a song by English rock band the 1975. The song was originally recorded by the band for their third extended play, Music for Cars , where it appears as the second track, and later appeared as the fourth track on their self-titled debut.
In January 2012, [2] the 1975 was formed by singer Matthew Healy, drummer George Daniel, guitarist Adam Hann and bassist Ross MacDonald, who had played music together since 2002. After being rejected by all major record labels, artist manager Jamie Oborne discovered the band and signed them to his label Dirty Hit. [3] The 1975 began a process of releasing three extended plays (EP) leading to their debut album. [4] In August of 2012, the band released their debut EP, Facedown , to critical success. [3] [5] In November 2012, the 1975 released their second EP, Sex . [6] After being introduced to Mike Crossey during the recording of Sex, the 1975 worked with the producer during the development of "Chocolate". [3]
The 1975 and Crossey spent a week in the band's studio engaging in pre-production for The 1975 (2013); they spent time listening to records together and discussed the desired aesthetics of the album. Crossey said it was critical to develop a sonic palette with a distinct character and "fingerprint" which could be "immediately" attributable to the 1975. The band also sought to incorporate contrasting sounds, one of which was "an impressive pop element" similar to the soundtracks from 1980s films and the work of Michael Jackson. [3] Healy described the lyrics of "Chocolate" as a love letter to boredom, limited opportunities for self-expression, understanding where one is from and embracing the makeup of that place. Focusing on the 1975's relationships with drugs and the governing authorities in his small town, Healy developed a story which details smoking marijuana with friends, resulting in encounters with the police. [7] [8] The song's title, "Chocolate", is used throughout the song as a euphemism for the drug. [8]
For "Chocolate", Crossey revealed the band were "pretty unashamed" about wanting the song to become a commercial success. Following the initial ideation stage, the 1975 and Crossey recorded the song at Motor Museum studios in Liverpool. [3] Alongside "Robbers" and "Sex", the track was one of the first three written for The 1975. [9] After recording "Chocolate" in Liverpool, the band and Crossey traveled to London with engineer Mike Spink and programmer Jonathan Gilmore, where they worked at Livingston studio. The producers focused on achieving their desired sounds at the source rather than during mixing; they incorporated unorthodox recording techniques such as making the guitars sound like "a cloud of tone" by positioning the microphones at different heights and substituting the outboard for guitar pedals. [3]
Programming "Chocolate" involved the use of "strange" percussion such as off-beat "trashy parts" including a tambourine and a "body hit" sample developed by Daniel. To emulate the sound of film scores, Daniel and Healy created most of the electronic synthesiser programming at their studio in Wilmslow using Logic. While some of these synths were kept in the song's final version, the artists collaborated with Crossey and Gilmore to recreate most of their original work, "trying to make them bigger and better". The producers incorporated a number of different synths into the track, with Crossey noting: "It doesn't sound like there are that many electronics in the song, but if you took them out it'd have a very different listening experience." This portion of the recording included a marimba from Spectrasonics Omnisphere, an ambient pad from Absynth and an arpeggio constructed using various soft synths from Vacuum, EXS24 and Massive. [3]
Crossey, who mixed "Chocolate", said both himself and the 1975 had a "clear vision" of how they wanted the song to sound. Having already developed a rough edit of the track, the producer only wanted to create an improved version; Crossey was inspired by the "bottom-end vibe" of Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" (2010), so his mixing work on "Chocolate" focused on the "bottom end" of the rhythm section and adjusting the song's groove. Elsewhere, the producer spent time developing the desired interaction between the vocals and the drums, seeking to construct the former with "some presence and wideness and vibe" to give Healy's voice "a sense of importance". [3] On 21 January 2013, "Chocolate" was released as the lead single from Music for Cars by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. [10] [11] The song was later included on The 1975, representing the album's fourth track. [12]
Musically, "Chocolate" is a pop, [13] rock, [14] funk and alt-rock song. [15] [16] The track has a length of three minutes and forty-four seconds (3:44) and was written by the 1975 members George Daniel, Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while the band handled the production alongside Crossey. [12] [17] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Music Publishing, "Chocolate" is set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 100 beats per minute. The track is composed in the key of B major, with Healy's vocals ranging between the notes of B4 and F♯5. It follows a chord progression of B–E–F♯–G♯m–C♯m–D♯m–A♯m. [18]
The narrator sings about fleeing the police in his car with a stash of cannabis, with the term "chocolate" being a euphemism for cannabis. [19]
Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matty Healy called the song "a love letter to the authority figures in our town — you know about small town boredom, both by the kids and by the police." [20]
A music video to accompany the release of "Chocolate" was first released onto YouTube on 20 February 2013 at a total length of three minutes and forty-seven seconds. [21] It was directed by Gareth Philips. [22]
It is primarily filmed in and around the Limehouse area of London, featuring Canary Wharf, the Limehouse Link and Aspen way landmarks. The group are shown riding around in a vintage 1975 Ford Consul, originally from the British television show The Sweeney . [22]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (IFPI Norway) [39] | Gold | 5,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI) [40] | 2× Platinum | 1,369,000 [41] |
| United States (RIAA) [42] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [43] | Gold | 900,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom [44] | 4 March 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | Dirty Hit |
| Italy [45] | 19 April 2013 | Universal | |
| United States [46] [47] [48] | 9 July 2013 | Modern rock radio | |
| 29 October 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | ||
| 21 January 2014 | Hot adult contemporary radio | Interscope |
The 1975 are an English pop rock band formed in Wilmslow in 2002. The band consists of Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald (bass), and George Daniel. The name of the band was inspired by a page of scribblings found in Healy's copy of On the Road by Jack Kerouac that was dated "1 June, The 1975".
Sex is the second extended play (EP) by English band the 1975. It was released on 19 November 2012 by Dirty Hit. A modified version was released in the US on 1 January 2013 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. The band produced the EP alongside Michael Coles, Robert Coles and Mike Crossey. They drew musical inspiration from Sigur Rós, Brian Eno and filmmaker John Hughes while thematically focusing on the passage of time. Prior to the record's debut, a music video for "Sex" was released.
Music for Cars is the third extended play (EP) by English band The 1975, released on 4 March 2013 by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. Development of the record began after the band completed their eponymous debut album. Working with producer Mike Crossey, the 1975 created "Chocolate" during the album's recording sessions before building the other tracks of the EP around the song. The band sought to create a cohesive concept for the record, primarily producing the remaining four songs by themselves in the bedroom of singer Healy at Rose Cottage in Cheshire.
"The City" is the debut single by English rock band The 1975, released in 2012. The song was originally recorded for their debut extended play Facedown, with a re-recorded version later appearing on their fourth extended play IV and as the second track on their self-titled debut. It was re-released as a single in 2013 in the form of a re-recorded version which peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart and number 27 on the Scottish Singles Chart. The song also featured in the game FIFA 14.
The 1975 is the debut studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 2 September 2013 through Dirty Hit and Polydor. It was produced by band members Matty Healy and George Daniel together with Mike Crossey.
"Sex" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second extended play (EP) of the same name (2012) and eponymous debut studio album (2013). The song was written by band members George Daniel, Matty Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The band co-produced the EP version of the song with Michael and Robert Coles, while Mike Crossey provided additional production. The album version, produced by Crossey and the band, was released as the lead single on 23 August 2013 by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. Written at the age of 19, Healy said the song represents a love letter to prudish teenage girls.
English pop rock band The 1975 has released five studio albums, two live albums, five extended plays, 35 music videos and 34 singles. The band consists of lead vocalist, principal songwriter, and rhythm guitarist Matty Healy, drummer and primary producer George Daniel, lead guitarist Adam Hann, and bassist Ross MacDonald.
"Love Me" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. It was released on 8 October 2015 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the lead single from the album. Written two years before its release, the song was inspired by the band's adjustment to their newfound celebrity status, having found themselves in a scene where fame was prized as currency. The track's production was inspired by the music of the 1980s, specifically the work of Trevor Horn, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Oingo Boingo.
"The Sound" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The London Community Gospel Choir provide the song's choir vocals. The song was released on 19 February 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fourth single from the album. Inspired by the pop albums of his youth, Healy sought to channel the memorable melodies from them and create an "unabashed" pop song. Healy first presented the song to One Direction, who declined, so the band decided to record it.
"She's American" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 4 November 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the sixth single from the album. Healy was inspired by the interplay between the British and Americans, creating a tongue-in-cheek song about the subtleties involved in a British rockstar courting an American woman. Containing a 1980s-style beat, futuristic synths and a saxophone solo, it is a retro funk, pop and synth-pop song with elements of disco, yacht rock and synth-funk.
"A Change of Heart" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 22 February 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fifth single from the album. A synth-pop and electropop power ballad, the song features 808 beats, a portamento keyboard riff, pulsing synthesisers and elements of ambient pop, electro, new wave, yacht rock, chillwave and indie rock. The song's melancholic lyrics describe falling out of love and detail the end of a romance, focusing on the theme of technology.
"Somebody Else" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald, with the first two handling the production alongside Mike Crossey. The song was the last one written for the album; Healy developed the song's lyrics in Los Angeles while in the back of a cab. The singer focused on the after-effects of a breakup, centred on the themes of jealousy and guilt. It was released on 16 February 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fourth single from the album.
"Ugh!" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 10 December 2015 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the second single from the album. The band's obsession with syncopation and rhythm drove the song's creation, while Healy explained the lyrics are about coming down from cocaine, drug-fuelled conversations and social interactions.
"Give Yourself a Try" is a song by English band the 1975 from their third studio album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while Daniel and Healy handled the production. It was released on 31 May 2018 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the lead single from the album. The band was inspired by the works of Joy Division, specifically their track "Disorder", which Healy said stemmed from both acts originating from Macclesfield. He wrote the song using a mix of autobiographical and fictional elements, wanting to capture the health and social anxiety experienced by millennials.
"Sincerity Is Scary" is a song by the English band the 1975 from their third studio album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while Daniel and Healy handled the song's production. It was released on 13 September 2018 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fourth single from the album. Contributions are featured from Roy Hargrove, who performs the trumpet, and the London Community Gospel Choir, who provide the choir vocals. Healy was inspired to write the song to confront his fear of sincerity, using postmodernism in the lyrics to denounce sardonicism and irony, choosing to portray vulnerability and honesty instead.
"Frail State of Mind" is a song by English band the 1975. It was released on 24 October 2019 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the second single, following "People" (2019), from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while Daniel and Healy were responsible for the song's production. "Frail State of Mind" is an experimental UK garage and electronica ballad. Its ambient production is composed of a brisk dubstep beat, a heavy, shuffling drum line, cascading synths, chopped vocal melodies, and influences from a variety of electronic, modern rock, and electronic dance music subgenres. Lyrically, the single revolves around Healy's social anxiety and the themes of depression, fear, apprehensiveness, disappointment, insecurity, and anti-social behaviour.
"Milk" is a song by English band the 1975, originally included as a hidden track on the band's second extended play (EP), Sex (2012). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The 1975 produced it alongside Michael and Robert Coles. In 2013, the song served as the B-side on a limited edition 7-inch vinyl single for the Neighbourhood's "No Grey". A remastered version of the song was released as a standalone track on 6 October 2017.
"People" is a song by English band the 1975 from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was released on 22 August 2019, through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the lead single from the album. It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Production of the song was handled by Daniel and Healy alongside Jonathan Gilmore. An anarcho-punk and screamo song, it features an intense, heavy rock instrumentation consisting of desert-rock guitar riffs, straightforward chords, breakneck drums and "renegade" percussion. Lyrically, it is a protest song that calls for change and rebellion to deal with global, political and environmental turmoil, and deals with themes of desperation, urgency and anxiety.
"Me & You Together Song" is a song by English band the 1975 from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was released on 16 January 2020 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the third single from the album. It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Production of the song was handled by Daniel and Healy alongside Jonathan Gilmore. Inspired by Amy Watson, Chelsea Pollard and the idealism of a teenage romance, Healy conceived the song as part of the soundtrack to German, a film he planned on creating. Although the film did not come to fruition, the 1975 continued to work on the song, channeling the sound of their former band Drive Like I Do.
"Guys" is a song by English band the 1975. It was released on 13 May 2020 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as an exclusive the seventh and final single from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Production of the track was handled by Daniel and Healy alongside Jonathan Gilmore. "Guys" is a mid-tempo indie rock and pop rock ballad that celebrates the band's nearly two decades of friendship, described by Healy as an ode to platonic love and an answer song to "Girls" (2013).
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