Sweden: Eric Saade gets dark in “Wide Awake” music video

Last month Eric Saade released the audio for his new single “Wide Awake”, and he’s now released the music video. It’s a moody affair, with Eric smashing up a caravan because relationship drama.

In the song, Eric sings of the tension he feels loving someone but not having those feelings reciprocated, singing “I want your love but your love’s not in the air”. The video takes inspiration from the ominous tension of the unhealthy relationship and shows its impact on Eric. He’s frustrated and he can’t take it anymore.

Eric is found in an old caravan in a remote area. He’s obviously been drowning his sorrows with booze, and the results aren’t pretty. He’s angry and starts smashing up the caravan, using whatever he can get his hands on, hurling a frying pan through a window and eventually setting fire to the whole mess.

The song’s guest vocalist Gustaf Norén, who sings from the perspective of the unloving lover, appears separate from Eric. Looking all brooding and mysterious, he can be found in a dark space, offering his take on the situation. And he’s a cruel ex, singing “Keep me inside your head, I can feel how you weaken”.

Eric also gave a live performance of “Wide Awake” on the Swedish morning show Nyhetsmorgon. It was a cut-down version of the song without Gustav’s contribution. Wearing a cheerful pink sweater, Eric brought a mix of brightness and brooding intensity to his morning television performance.

The edgy sound of “Wide Awake” is a big departure from the upbeat pop of Eric’s Melodifestivalen entries, or even his 2015 single “Girl From Sweden”. As Eric explained to Swedish tabloid Expressen, he grew tired of his old sound and decided not to continue with an album in that style. Instead he wanted to start over, which resulted in his collaboration with Swedish production duo State of Sound and his first single “Colors”.

Eric has released a new five-track EP, revealing his new artistic direction. Simply titled Saade, the EP is available now on the usual digital platforms.

Eric Saade feat. Gustav Norén – “Wide Awake” (lyrics)

Every time I’m prayin’, prayin’
I got you on my mind
No matter what I’m saying, saying
You come back in my life
You just wanna break it, break it
You’re sending me to paradise
No way I can escape it, escape it
I never win the fight

You keep me wide awake every day, every weekend
(Day, every weekend, day every weekend)
You keep me wide awake every day, every weekend
(Day, every weekend, day every weekend)
You keep me wide awake every day, every weekend
(Day, every weekend, day every weekend)
You keep me wide awake every day, every weekend
(Day, every weekend, day every weekend)

[Gustav] Keep you wide awake every day, every weekend
Day, every weekend, day, every weekend
Keep me inside your head, I can feel how you weaken
Feel how you weaken, feel how you weaken

Feel that you might be the flame that surrounds your iron
I’ll be the water to cool you down
Be the balance of ice and fire
Deep in the underground

Every day, every week, every bleeding hour
You’ll be starting to lose control
I will leave you to your desire
But I won’t let you sing along

Every day, every weekend
I got you on my mind

You’ve been around for a year like you just don’t care, yeah yeah
I want your love but your love’s not in the air

Every time I’m prayin’, prayin’
I got you on my mind
No matter what I’m saying, saying
You come back in my life
You just wanna break it, break it
You’re sending me to paradise
No way I can escape it, escape it
I never win the fight
Yeah yeah

You keep me wide awake every day, every weekend

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