He’s the Dutch breakout star of 2019 who set down a very high bar with “Arcade”. But today Duncan Laurence proves that hit was only just the beginning with the release of his anticipated follow-up “Love Don’t Hate It”.
Once again the song hasn’t emerged from a conveyor belt and ended up on Duncan’s lap. It’s been carefully crafted with Duncan’s own thoughts and feelings in mind, giving it an authentic sound that goes far beyond disposable pop.
“Sooo excited to finally share new music with you,” the 25-year-old wrote on Insta. “There are no boundaries, no limits when it comes to love. It’s the purest thing we have in this world and yet so many people, including myself, have to fight for it every single day. Because of their looks, their beliefs, their gender, their sexuality. Because of what others judge them for.”
“LOVE DON’T HATE IT is a song about fighting for who you are and who you choose to love. Because in the end it is always your choice to make. It’s my answer against the hate in the world, that will always keep trying to break down what we crave most: love.”
Duncan Laurence — “Love Don’t Hate It”
Duncan co-wrote “Love Don’t Hate It” with Michelle Buzz, Sam Farrar Robert Gerongco and Samuel Gerongco. Tofer Brown produced it.
The song makes it clear just how versatile Duncan is as a songwriter and performer. This track goes in an entirely new direction from his Eurovision winner. The vibe is more urban and thrusting but still wrapped up in a smooth and glossy production.
Instrumentation is key. The prominent guitar during the first verse is later joined by piano and electronic elements to create a heady mix of emotion and texture. The first chorus is only a small tease of the drama to come as Duncan eventually snakes through elements of electronic, rock and pop.
The second chorus unveils the full chorus, which involves a catchy drum beat and — once again — the electronic guitar. Moving from the extended post-chorus to the bridge, Duncan takes his voice up a few registers, leading to an epic climax that’s worth the wait.
Lyrically, Duncan discusses the troubles of a relationship when one person can’t see all the potential between them. While Duncan feels it in every kiss and can’t deny it, something’s hold his beloved back. The song is a nudge for that person to see that “we can have it all” — a plea to recognise that if it’s love, don’t hate it. Curiously, the song was written only a few weeks before Duncan first spoke publicly about his recent break-up.
What do you think about Duncan Laurence’s follow-up single? Is “Love Don’t Hate It” a worthy successor of his Eurovision entry “Arcade”? Let us know in the comments section down below!
Love Don’t Hate It lyrics — Duncan Laurence
I wasn’t ready for this
I wasn’t ready for my heart to drop
The way that it did
I can’t deny, I can’t deny
I feel it in every kiss
It’s slowly taking over every thought
Have you been sleeping on it?
Well so have I,
So have I
Look at us we could have it all
So damn right, that it should be wrong
let’s not complicate it
If it’s love, don’t hate it
Don’t go back if you start to fall
Let ourselves get a little lost
That’s not complicated
If it’s love, don’t hate it
Look at us we can have it all
Look at us we can have it all
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Lay your head on my chest
I wish that we be like this every night
You don’t gotta be stressed
Just close your eyes, close your eyes
Feels so good to have you in my arms
Really think it’s right where you belong
(Chorus)
Look at us we could have it all
So damn right, that it should be wrong
let’s not complicate it
If it’s love, don’t hate it
Don’t go back if you start to fall
Let ourselves get a little lost
That’s not complicated
If it’s love, don’t hate it
Look at us we can have it all
Look at us we can have it all
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Look at us we can have it all
Look at us we can have it all
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Oh-ooh-ooh
Oh-oh-oh-ooh-ooh
Oh-oh-oh-ooh-ooh
If we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Oh-ooh-ooh
Oh-oh-oh-ooh-ooh
Oh-oh-oh-ooh-ooh
If we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Look at us we can have it all
Look at us we can have it all
But if we don’t try, then we’ll never know
Are this still the sour people from before the final? Somehow it appears there is an army of haters active.
I do like the song! Not outstanding but definitely I would hum along on the radio and better than any successor I have heard so far from previous years (for example Netta and Salvador).
“Love Don’t Hate It” seems to be the right title with the European (Russian/Italian) 50 cents army here
I had really high expectations after Arcade and listening to some of his stuff from concerts on Youtube and I have to say I’m a little let down. It’s not bad, per se, it just doesn’t really do anything for me. IMO a lot of his other stuff from concerts or that’s just floating around on Youtube (Come Back Home, The Greatest, etc) are better and I really hope they’ll be on the album.
I lowkey like this, great job!
I think most Eurovision fans do like them both
Love it!!
It’s not nearly as impactful as “Arcade”, but we all know he set the bar pretty high with that one. I think it’s a solid effort, one that shows that he’s capable of playing with different genres. By the way, there’s another post with a live presentation of the song and I think it sounded much better, with the drums playing a bigger part and Duncan’s voice better used, without too much production hiding it in the chorus. I’m very curious to listen to a full album.
I like this type of beat, reminds me of 2010-2011 urban pop sound (CMIIW). It might not be stronger than his previous release, which is ‘Arcade’, but is great enough to be on my daily playlist.
I’m sorry, but I don’t really like this song. Duncan is a talented fella, and I’ve listened to some of his tracks from the pre-Eurovision era, and they were top notch, but “Love Don’t Hate It” to me is a bit… middle of the road. I appreciate him for trying different genres, but I guess pop-Duncan is not for me. I feel like I’ve heard it before, and I don’t find the lyrics that interesting. It’s pleasant, but overall it just doesn’t stick with me. Still, I’m impatiently waiting for his next songs.
It’s a bit generic, but that’s probably because it’s written with people who wrote for Katy Perry, and even a member of Maroon 5. Duncan has signed with Capitol Records, and he works with their songwriters now. So don’t expect any groundbreaking stuff.
He also had lots of variety among the setlist on tour, I’m sure that the next releases will all be very different and special and surely you’ll find something to appreciate in them as well!
Look, this is a good example of a quality comment. No, I’m not a hater of this song, I mean that you state your opinion in a normal way. Everyone has their opinion but as you can see you don’t have to say it in a hateful way or anything.
Sorry for this, it’s because I see so many comments under posts everyday of people hating instead of just saying why they don’t like it or that it’s just not their taste.
i apologize for my opinions which might have come off as rude. i didn’t mean to do no harm! i’ll just leave it here: i wish duncan the best and i hope the success of this song will help him sell those 300 unsold tickets for his upcoming london concert (they’re £12 – get them NOW!). soen en drukkies!
Duncan’s London concert is sold out.
Was it really necessary to fire another shot against Duncan? And why would you intentionally ignore that his Dutch tour has been sold out within days and his European shows will go just as well? Honestly there are better ways to express your opinion liking or disliking the song than the narrative you’re pursuing here.
I don’t think you need to apologize. Maybe you went too far when you attack Duncan’s looks, but you should be able to say what you like without other posters attacking you – perhaps it would be better if they learned to not take you so seriously. It’s not like Duncan is losing any sleep over what you post.
You can certainly have a different opinion on the song and objectively express it, too. But this apology is an example of how you’re still – at the same time – trying to bring Duncan’s name down (with false information).
Downvoters, maybe consider that this comments section has now become all about Polegend and not about Duncan’s new song…?
If you didn’t mean to do any harm you wouldn’t have written 5 follow up comments. Stop making an even bigger fool of yourself XD.
I don’t know what you’re trying to do… it’s obvious you can’t stand Duncan or his music. Well then just don’t listen to it! Problem solved.
Oh you just love the attention. Maybe we should all just ignore it, then it’s not funny for him/her anymore 🙂
Oh you don’t need to apologize because it’s obvious you have some sort of a mental disorder. Your country not winning is because of people like you. If you are so full of hate then your country is not worth the trophy…Karma I guess?
Occidentali’s Karma
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA mental disorder
You’re making fun of mental disorders, shame on you
I didn’t mean it like that, sorry
What about Italy (my country)?! Just because this stupid hoe is italian doesn’t mean that Italy isn’t worth the trophy in the next years! Your comment is stupid just like hers.
Guys – he’s a troll with nothing better to do. Just ignore him and he’ll eventually go away
Nothing amazing, could be a whole lot fresher
er,,,Eurovision song was heartfelt
Who here thinks PolegendGodgarina should get a life?:)
It’s funny when people go and insult you personally just because they don’t like your opinion
Sorry, but why is everyone so salty? Can I just say that I’m actually disappointed in this fandom? I love eurovision but this kinda ruins the vibe. You don’t have to like this song, instead of wasting your time with hating go listen to Soldi.
Love this song <3 and ofc Duncan too ?
Serious question, were the Dutch also such sore losers in 2014 as the Italians are this year?
Hahahahah so true
Is that even possible?
And The Netherlands actually deserved to win 2014, unlike Italy this year..
Conchita was an iconic winner. And she visited every canal pride in Amsterdam since her win.
Conchita only won because of the gimmick. Maybe thats an iconic winner, but not for me. I prefer the best music.
That’s not true. Without a great song and a great performance, Conchita would have failed. It’s talent and charisma that got her/him the win. The beard was one ingredient, sure, but far from enough to get a win.
All of that “talent and charisma” without the gimmick would not have won it against The Netherlands in 2014. You can not argue that, its facts. As you said yourself it was an ingredient and without the ingredient it would not have won.
No, it’s not facts. Nobody can ever know that. If you can take away one of Conchita’s ingredients, it’s only fair to take away one from The Common Linnets…let’s say Hans Pannecouke’s staging. Would they have still won?
I probably was but I was 10 and watching it for the first time and I just wanted us to win, but I didn’t go to websites hating on Conchita like a child (which I was).
arcade is “less of a mainstream type of song”? i have to laugh. it’s literally a radio fodder ballad lmao
as expected, an ultra-basic, ultra-repetitive, ultra-boring song from the televote runner-up. still i’m perched for its chart performance!
Oh gosh you’re still salty about Soldi.. bo hoo better luck next time:)
salty about what exactly? last time i checked, soldi is a 4x platinum classic with over 120 million streams that’s still getting more streams in italy alone than arcade globally per day.
Arcade gets 140.000 streams each day for weeks now. Just checked, Soldi had 47834 streams yesterday in Italy. Globally Arcade has 1 million Spotify streams each week. So stop making things up, please.
(And the hilarious thing is that there are Mahmood fans who are suggesting the Dutch broadcaster should invite him next year, Eleni style. How about no.)
whew at those inflated numbers! thank heavens mahmood stans don’t need to make things up in order to make their fave seem relevant, because he has it all: talent, acclaim, beauty, success. 😀
Dude, Soldi’s Swiss certification was made up. Soldi’s Dutch certification was made up. And the Greek certification was also made up.
but its 120 million streams (which are, according to math, more than 80 million) are real!
Trolegend Godgarina, saying mahmood has it all? Well I know 1 thing he doesn’t have….a big trophy…see you in Rotterdam next year!!!!
Salty about not winning eurovision.. Dude you are literally bashing arcade and duncan on every single post about duncan or mahmood, so looks like you are pretty salty and toxic. Just enjoy the music.
Still Salty Salty Clap Clap?
LOL, the only country apart from Italy in which Barrio charted was Greece. At 61. Two weeks later it was out.
that’s 1 more country than love don’t stream it will chart in!
At least it wasn’t specifically written to have succes in Spain and attract the attention of Rosalia.
just like rosalía’s new songs, barrio is radio-friendly without being generic, something the unimaginative mind of duncan laurence will never be able to produce.
Trolegend Godgarina, please stop, because your acting like a sour salty looser now with all your stupid comments. Sorry dear but your loosing your mojo and nobody will take your serious this way. How old are you btw?…7 ?…..12 maybe?
i am indeed young. duncracker WISHES he could relate with those wrinkles around his eyes kjsdfskfjdk
To much drugs is not good for you dear #TrolegendGodgarinaisbraindead
oh wow we’re allowing ableist attacks now? 😮 i ain’t surprised dunce stans are stooping this low, but still!
Dude, you made a comment about Duncan’s looks. How mature. And if you are that sensitive I wonder what you think about Mahmood using the N word.
imagine staying on topic! thank goodness king mahmood ain’t a racist from a country where blackface is considered national culture – he just used the word out of ignorance, and later apologized when confronted about it.
Yes, we all know how sensitive Italians are when it comes to racism.
Shame on you coming up with this. That’s showing your real face Trolegend Godgarina !!
sus ek kom van suid-afrika…… dit is nie ‘n kompetisie oor wie meer rassisties is nie sdfhsjkdska
First bashing and now crying?
Lol
wow there is a whole discussion going on about who has the most streams? Like seriously, y’all are acting kinda childish right now.
Well, Mahmood has the most streams. It would be a bit silly to argue about facts.
Why need to point it out? Feels like it’s necessary to prove that Soldi is a great song. Of course it’s more of a summer hit, I agree, but Arcade was never made to be a summer kind of hit. In the Netherlands we’re proud and sing along with Arcade, and isn’t that what esc is also about?
I think you misunderstood me. We are not fighting about who has the most streams. I am merely completely fed up with the salty behaviour from Mahmood’s fandom. Not only here, but also on youtube and twitter.
Oh sorry, I apologize I think I missed some of the comments in between Polegend Gagarina and other people mentioning who has the most streams.
Sorry hun but some opinions just don’t matter and yours is one of them so stop trolling and go get yourself a life
This is Duncan’s kind of music. Style-wise Duncan Laurence is also quite close to his fellow Dutch popstar Thomas Azier. That’s with both ‘Aracde’ and ‘Love Don’t Hate It’. I am sooooo excited to hear the full album.
Very good single, good follow up for Arcade. Also arcade is near 80 million streams on Spotify lets go for 100m.
see u in 2150 then! that song is completely forgotten and it has been erased from everyone’s memory, getting less than 50k streams per day and nosediving each day!
Like I answered in another commen: Arcade’s streams on Spotify are quite stable, between 135.000 – 150.000 each day for the last couple of months.
I love it!