Gabe Goodman talks "When I Say That I Love You"

Gabe Goodman’s “When I Say That I Love You” is simple and perfect. The lyrics are specific. The production is balanced. It’s a song that can be played at all times of the day. I got the chance to ask Gabe a few questions about his latest release. Read our interview below. 

“When I Say That I Love you” IS OUT! HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

I feel nice! COVID music releases are these weird little social media holidays. It's been so lovely to see people listening and sharing. I'm happy it's out.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR THE SONG? WHAT WAS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE AT THE TIME? 

I started writing it around a year and a half ago when I was living in New York and had traveled to Los Angeles for a few weeks. I was thinking a lot about what it means when someone says “I love you.” Everyone brings something different to that phrase. It's a very large, vague, universal idea, but really infinitely personal and unique—how someone is capable of loving, what their experiences with love and loss and trauma are, etc. It’s always ever-changing. It seemed like an interesting thought to try and explore—asking myself what it means when I say, "I love you"—if I'm being honest with myself. 

THE LYRICS ARE SO SPECIFIC AND FOCUSED. ARE LYRICS SOMETHING YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON WHEN WRITING?

A lot of the big lyrical ideas sort of just come together and I don't fight them too much. There's this Jeff Tweedy quote about songwriting that I think a lot about. He talks about not pretending you know more than your subconscious about how you're really feeling. I do spend a lot of time fine-tuning and re-working little bits to get it just right––accurate to how I'm seeing or feeling.

ARE THERE ANY STORIES BEHIND SPECIFIC LINES OF THE SONG?

I do in fact keep my journal in a Google doc in very millennial fashion, but Google doc sounded bad so I switched it to Word doc—a little artistic license.

WHAT ABOUT THE PRODUCTION? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PART OF THE SONG PRODUCTION WISE?

One of my favorite parts of the production is the cello. I had gotten the song to a good spot and then showed my friend Will Radin, who I collaborate with on all my music. I had a sort of bad sounding fake cello in there and he immediately thought to bring in our friend Aaron Wolff to play. Will tracked him in New York and it just really took the song to a new level. I am very grateful for them both.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE SONG TO SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE?

I would say they should listen to it!

WAS THE SONG INFLUENCED BY ANYTHING OR ANYONE?

I am a huge fan of Dirty Projectors and I was listening to Swing Lo Magellan a lot when I wrote it, as well as Antony and the Johnsons.

IF YOU COULD PLACE THE SONG IN ANY FILM, WHAT MOVIE WOULD YOU PICK?

An extremely viral Tik Tok that will make me very rich somehow.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE LISTENERS TAKE AWAY FROM THE SONG?

I think it's important that people have their own individual relationships with songs—I have no hopes other than that folks listen. I appreciate anyone's time checking it out!

YOU CAN LISTEN TO “When I Say That I Love You” ON STREAMING SERVICES LIKE SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC. GO LISTEN AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW @TWENTYMINUTESLATER TO STAY UPDATED ON FUTURE POSTS.