| "It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:The_1975_%E2%80%93It%E2%80%99s_Not_Living_(If_It%E2%80%99s_Not_with_You).jpeg) | ||||
| Single by the 1975 | ||||
| from the album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships | ||||
| Released | 18 October 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| The 1975 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)" on YouTube | ||||
"It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)" 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, and produced by Daniel and Healy. It was released on 18 October 2018 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fifth and final single from the album. Contributions are featured from the London Community Gospel Choir, who provide the choir vocals, and Amber Bain–known professionally as the Japanese House–who performs several instruments and provides the background vocals. Healy was reluctant to write a song about his former heroin addiction, which prompted him to develop the narrative around Danny, a character meant to represent Healy's struggle with heroin.
A gospel-influenced pop, synth-rock and power pop song, "It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)" is evocative of the music of the 1980s. The song's production comprises jangly funk guitars, an electric guitar, sparkling synths and influences of teen pop, Britpop, indie pop, country-pop and synth-pop. Thematically, it draws parallels between heartbreak and addiction while exploring the topics of isolation and dystopia. The lyrics discuss unrequited love and a failed relationship, telling a story of someone who does not want to move on after the end of a romance.
"It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)" was acclaimed by contemporary music critics, many of whom deemed the song an album highlight and praised its 1980s-influenced production, themes and lyrics. The song later appeared on several critics year-end lists for 2018. It peaked at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, number 36 in Scotland, number 48 in Ireland and number 19 on the US Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The song was later certified silver in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). An accompanying music video, directed by Warren Fu, was released on 3 December 2018. A tribute to Talking Heads' concert film Stop Making Sense (1984), the visual features Healy's journey through several strange realities while he experiences numerous dreams within a dream and includes appearances from No Rome and the Japanese House. The video received positive reviews from contemporary critics, who praised the dream-like quality and references to the 1980s.