Louis Tomlinson has opened up about the profound impact of grief on his latest musical work, revealing that a new song dedicated to his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne will be "challenging to sing live." The 34-year-old singer detailed how the tragic loss influenced his third album, How Did I Get Here?, which was released last week.
Navigating Grief Through Music
In a candid interview with Zane Lowe at Apple Music Studios in Los Angeles, Tomlinson admitted that after Payne's death in October 2024, it became "really difficult to write anything else." He explained, "When something like that happens in your life, it's really difficult to write anything else. I remember the first time that I experienced grief. How can you write a love song when you're feeling the feelings that you're feeling? It feels so unimportant to everything that's going around in your head."
The Power of Interpretation
Tomlinson emphasized that while some songs on the album address Payne directly, others approach the subject more subconsciously. He stated, "So, yeah, there are definitely moments where I've written about him kind of directly and then other moments that are a bit more subconscious." The singer deliberately avoids over-explaining these tracks, believing they "have the power to heal" when left open to interpretation.
Dark To Light: A Heartfelt Tribute
The track Dark To Light particularly moved Lowe, with its lyrics exploring whether Tomlinson could have done more to help someone in need. Tomlinson acknowledged, "I really appreciate that because it's a really intimidating concept to entertain. Definitely because there aren't enough words really to explain love like that." He described the song as an "authentic snapshot" of his love, noting it gives him goosebumps and causes him to reflect deeply.
Lyrical Depth and Personal Connection
The emotional lyrics include lines such as: "It's over before it ends. No phoenix in the flames. There's only empty photographs." and "Is there anything that I can do? I wish you could see how you look in my eyes, one more time. Would it make a difference? Would it make you smile? Could it bring you from dark to light?" Fans speculate that "phoenix in the flames" references Payne's appearance on Rita Ora's 2018 Phoenix Tour, while the title may nod to a tattoo Payne got in 2023 reading "here dark meets light."
Album Context and Personal Reflections
Tomlinson revealed that Payne's family was made aware of the lyrics before the song's release. He described the track as coming from a "very sentimental and heartfelt place," adding that sonically, the album needed such a song. "The album reflects my past few years and my attempt to maintain a positive outlook despite everything," he shared.
Recalling the Tragic News
Previously, on Steven Bartlett's The Diary Of A CEO podcast, Tomlinson recounted learning of Payne's death. He said, "I was in the car in LA and I just dropped my son Freddie off for school and I was just pulling up back home. I actually found out through Niall, and he told me and yeah, he said something like, 'Lads have you seen the news?' and I think I knew what he meant."
So far, Tomlinson has released three singles from How Did I Get Here?: Imposter, Palaces, and Lemonade. His 2022 album Faith In The Future secured number one in the UK, underscoring his continued musical evolution amidst personal challenges.
