Music Review: Calvin Harris & Ayah Marar "Thinking About You"

Calvin Harris & Ayah Marar

Thinking About You

Album:18 Months

Year: 2013

          Ayah Marar has found the love of her life in the flourishing “Thinking About You.”

         Calming syths open the single, setting a serene tone. She closes her eyes and sighs as he wraps his arm around her. Underneath her hand the thumping of his heart, which quickens it pace some when she gazes up at him, assures her he also enjoys being with her. She can relax and not overanalyze his every word. He’s honest with her and has her interests in mind. (“If I told you, that this couldn't get better baby/And your heartbeat, it lets me know you feel the same/I can hold you, keep you safe until you fall asleep/Never worried, cause I can give you what you need.”)

            In the pre-chorus, he lets her take care of him. If she wants to tell him how much she loves him, she can do so without him backing off. Neither of been in relationships where they could be comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions.  At times, he’s had to tell her to be upfront with her. He reminds her that he’s not her other boyfriends. He won’t give up her and gives her time to figure things out, which she appreciates. She’s willing to move to another country for him, if he asked. (“Now everything I do is all for loving you/It’s not something that we're used to/No other way to say I need you every day/And now I'm gonna change my ways/And it's a part of you I never wanna lose/I'll do anything you want me to/Like any other day I know I'll find a way/And if ever I'm alone you'll say.”)

        In the  chorus, it’s how he lets her know how much he cares and that he’s there for her. He doesn’t view checking in as a nuisance or clingy. It’s something he needs he should do as her boyfriend. (“I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you.”)

           She could find a lump somewhere on her body and then be diagonsed with cancer. He could get hospitalized in a motorcycle accident. She would have to get involved and she knows he's the type to start yelling at the nurses if she hasn't received her care as she should've. She would have to know he’s ok and that he’s with her. He’s the person who understands her. When she dreams at night, he joins her in her brain’s crazy adventures. (“In a moment, I know that everything could change/And I know that, my life would never be the same/You're the only one that's making sense to me/When I close my eyes, you're the one, I see/There's no other way I could ever be/Without you babe.”)

      The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again to end the single.

     Marar’s certain vocals say what she feels, free of any insecurities. He has to know he’s means something to her and has helped her become a better person.

    Harris’ heedful arrangement, restraining itself from spinning the beats on plates, stays on an even keel. One of his main strengths is he adjusts his style to match the performer. In turn, it incorporates some of the performer’s singing style with his own.

     The modest “Thinking About You” savors every moment, knowing full well it’s fortunate.