The track marked a pivotal moment for both artists. For , it was her first official release following her X Factor win, proving she had the powerhouse vocals to carry more than just a competition winner's single. For Clean Bandit , it was their first major release since "Stronger," and notably the last single to feature founding violinist Neil Amin-Smith before his departure.
The collaboration was actually suggested by Simon Cowell, who called Patterson to insist he hear Johnson's voice on the track. The result was a "mad beast" of a song that evolved over a year from a simple piano melody into a complex production featuring changing time signatures and a "1990s vision of a future breakup song". Lyrical Depth: Finding Power in the Pain Clean Bandit - Tears (feat. Louisa Johnson)
Fans of Harry Potter might recognize a special guest: a snowy owl that was one of several to play Hedwig in the film franchise. The track marked a pivotal moment for both artists
"I tried hard to make you want me / But we're not supposed to be". The collaboration was actually suggested by Simon Cowell,
The music video, directed by Jack Patterson, is as intense as the track itself. Eschewing digital special effects, the band used practical elements to convey emotional turmoil.
In classic Clean Bandit fashion, the video includes Neil Amin-Smith smashing his violin into a cloud of pink dust. Legacy of the Track
