Never Be
"Never Be" is a song recorded by Australian singer Meg Mac. The song was released for digital download on 7 August 2015.[1] "Never Be" gave Mac her first ARIA Chart top 50 entry, peaking at number 39. The song was voted in at number 11 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2015.
| "Never Be" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Meg Mac | ||||
| Released | 7 August 2015 | |||
| Length | 4:13 | |||
| Label | littleBIGMAN, Inertia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Megan McInerney | |||
| Meg Mac singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Never Be" on YouTube | ||||
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2015 "Never Be" was nominated for Breakthrough Artist, but lost to Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett.[2]
In an interview with News Corp Mac explained "Never Be" cautions against the 'grass is greener' envy of other people’s lives. She said "“I noticed people think my life is super cool; it’s crazy to hear what people think the reality is of what I do. The most popular misconception is probably that touring in America is glamorous when it’s counting your pimples while sitting in a van for hours.” [3]
In an interview with Guardian Australia Mac’s described the song’s chorus was written while in her car 'tapping the steering wheel and singing over the top'. Mac explained she was forced to keep singing what she’d composed in her head, over and over until she reached home as her phone battery was dead. “That is maybe where the repetition came from,” she says. “And that’s my favourite thing about the song, how it feels like a chant you can tell yourself over and over.” [4]
Reviews
Mike Wass of Idolator said; "Never Be" is a "bold and beautiful experiment"[5]
In a review on Triple J, it was described as “a searing track" featuring “dark-shaded soul, gospel flair, [and] a smouldering vocal performance.[6]
Tom Williams of Music Feeds said; “The track sees Mac’s soulful vocals team up with piano-backed gospel tones and some powerful backing vocals from her little sister, Hannah Mac” [7]
Music video
The music video for “Never Be” was directed by Tobias Andersson and released on 15 September 2015.[8]
Charts
References
- "Never Be (single) by Meg Mac". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ARIA Music Awards for Meg Mac:
- Search Results 'Meg Mac': "Search Results for 'Meg Mac'". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- 2015 nominations: Baroni, Nastassia (7 October 2015). "Courtney Barnett, Hermitude, Tame Impala Lead 2015 ARIA Award Nominations". musicfeeds.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- 2015 winners: "And the ARIA Awards Goes to..." Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- "Aussie singer Meg Mac is being called the next Adele ahead of her sold-out national tour". Kathy McCabe. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "Meg Mac: Never Be – video premiere". Monica Tan. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "Meg Mac Is A Vengeful Siren In Striking "Never Be" Video: Watch". Mike Wass. www.idolator.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "STORY Hear: Meg Mac premieres new single 'Never Be'". www.abc.net.au. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "Hear Meg Mac's Gospel-Infused New Single 'Never Be'". musicfeeds.com.au. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "MEG MAC – Never Be[Music Video]". www.youtube.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "MEG MAC - NEVER BE (SONG)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- "100% INDEPENDENT SINGLES The week beginning 1 February 2016". www.air.org.au. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.