Perrie Edwards joins Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 to discuss her new single Forget About Us, working with Ed Sheeran and RAYE, becoming a solo artist and more.
Perrie Edwards joins Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 to discuss her brand new single, ‘Forget About Us.’ She discusses her new album’s eclecticism and not having a title, working with Ed Sheeran and RAYE, the experience of becoming a solo artist and how it differs from being in Little Mix, as well as her dream collaborations and favourite artists. She also talks about singing ballads, being overwhelmed and questioning herself, motherhood, her relationship with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and featuring her son, Axel, on her upcoming album.
Perrie discusses the story behind working with Ed Sheeran…
Ed Sheeran, he’s a massive inspiration to me. His songwriting skills are just another level. He’s incredible, he sent the song over and I just instantly loved it. I just thought it was so catchy. I loved how feel good it was. I just absolutely love it.
When I first heard it, the concept took me to a place that I didn’t want to be in. I’ve said this so many times, but I don’t like it when people tweak things and take full credit. I think if you’ve actually written the song, great. But if you haven't, don’t say you have. I spoke to him and said, I don’t want to change the lyrics for the sake of getting my credit on the song or percentage. I just don’t feel comfortable with the concept being in that direction. So could I tweak it a bit? And he was like, “of course, you take full ownership in it. Whatever you’re not happy with, change it.” He was so lovely, supportive and sweet. He was really happy with the changes, so it made me feel more at ease. He was like, “I definitely think this could be your first single.” I was like, “oh my god, Sir Ed has spoken.”
Perrie talks about being a solo artist and how it feels compared to being in Little Mix…
Rebecca Judd: Does it feel weird for you now to know that you are a solo artist? You’ve actually got music out there.
Perrie: Yes, I just feel like I’m in a blur right now. It doesn’t feel real and I don't think I ever will feel real, but I felt like that in the band. Nothing ever felt like real life.
Rebecca Judd: Does it feel good to be able to sing a whole song by yourself now?
Perrie: Yeah, it’s wild. I remember thinking, “Gosh, I have to sing the verse.” At one point in the group, towards the end, I don’t know what happened with the dynamics and the spreading of the parts, but I was the chorus girl. I used to get to the studio and be like, let me guess - the chorus.
Perrie on her upcoming album's eclecticism and being ready for release…
I feel like [Forget About Us] is a really good introduction to my album and I think all my singles are going to be good introductions to what the album’s going to have on there. It is quite eclectic. It’s quite different, but it works as a body of work. So I love it, I’m just so excited. It’s nice for everyone to be hearing it instead of just me.
The one thing that I didn’t want to do is release a song and then not know where I’m going after that. I wanted everything to be ready in order, even if, for example, my second single, the decision changes and we change it to something else. At least I’ve got a whole back catalogue now of what we can roll with. I just wanted to make sure everything was kind of wrapped up, tied nicely in a ball before I started venturing out.
Perrie discusses her voice and being tailor-made to sing ballads…
I would do a whole album of ballads if I could. I love them so much. But it was really important for me to make sure every song on the album at least has big ad libs or a big vocal moment somewhere. Because that’s what I want to do the most, just sing. That’s why I throw about a hundred ad libs on every song.
Perrie talks being overwhelmed and questioning herself…
Rebecca Judd: You are now entering this new chapter in your career. I know that you’ve had to do quite a lot of firsts by yourself as well. I know that writing your own music was new for you? Because for me, from the outside looking in, you’re coming out as a solo artist, you’re by yourself now. You don’t have the girls next to you. You can literally become whatever artist you want to be/ How did you not get overwhelmed? The first session by yourself were you like ‘what type of music do I even want to make?’
Perrie: It was overwhelming. I think some artists, or some people in general might be quite sure of themselves and think, I’ve got this in the locker. I’m the opposite. I always think I’m never good enough at something, I could do better. I’m a perfectionist and I kind of intimidate myself to the point where I’m like, yeah, you can’t do it. You’re going to be rubbish at that. That’s my mentality, which is really bad. So, at the start of my journey, I said, I don’t know if I want to write anything. Because in the band, I wrote a little bit here and there with Kamille, but you feel like you’re just chirping in a few lines here or there, or what about this idea? You’re not writing it or penning it yourself from scratch. That is something I’ve never done since I was 12.
Perrie talks working with RAYE…
Everyone says it’s a collab, we brought it together but she doesn’t feature on it. She came over to my house and we were just chatting. It came about because I was like, I’m really petty. My partner and I, we don't argue a lot. Certain things, I will hold a grudge and not back down. I’m really petty, when he messages me, I won’t send a kiss at the end. I’m like a 14-year-old girl. It’s pathetic.
We started chatting and that became the concept of the song. It’s called ‘Two Two,’ so it’s football related. It was fun to be like, yeah, and when they do this and then you feel like that and then it’s really annoying and why can’t they do it? It was basically girl talk put into a song.
And RAYE is the most talented human I’ve ever witnessed in the flesh. It’s scary.
Perrie discusses her favourite artists and idols…
Rebecca Judd: I’ve also read there’s some Mariah Carey type of vibes on this album. What type of Mariah are we talking about? Because we know that she touches on loads of genres as well.
Perrie: I think nineties Mariah, the more upbeat ones, more the ones with bounce. I love Mariah, I’m a huge Mariah fan. Always have been, always will be. So taking inspiration from her, all the big divas were my inspiration for my album. Whitney, Celine, Mariah, Christina, Kelly Clarkson, all those women who just let it rip. They make me so happy, that’s who I’d be singing in my bedroom as a kid 24/7.
Perrie talks not having a title for her debut album yet…
Rebecca Judd: I did see you post on your Instagram that you do not actually have a title for your album yet. And you were basically asking people for their suggestions. Did you get any good ones? What’s some of the best ones that you’ve got?
Perrie: There’s a few. Do you know what? So many people are like, why don’t you just call it Perrie?
Rebecca Judd: That is a statement though
Perrie: It is, isn’t it? But it’s confusing? Perrie’s debut? Perrie? It’s kind of cool. It’s really hard to pick an album title. I don’t know what the heck I’m going to call it.
Perrie discusses motherhood…
It’s the best. I love it. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I feel like when I look at him, I’m like, this is what I was meant to do. I’m meant to be a mum. I’m good at it. I love it. He’s the best.
Perrie discusses being petty to her boyfriend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
Rebecca Rudd: What is the pettiest thing you have ever done?
Perrie: Probably not spoken to him for two days. It’s a pathetic amount of time, isn’t it?
Rebecca Judd: You’re both in the kitchen and you’re like walking past him. Not asking him if wants a tea or anything?
Perrie: To be fair, we don’t live together. So maybe that’s why it was easier. So I would just pie him. If he messages, tries to ring, I’d be like, nah, I’m horrible. I am the typical, cut off my nose to spite my face. I’d rather just wallow in self-pity than have to come up and be like, I’m sorry.
Perrie talks having her son Axel on the album…
Rebecca Judd: I’ve heard that he’s [Axel] on the album as well, right?
Perrie: Yeah, he is. He featured on the album
Rebecca Judd: He could be a Grammy winner because you know Blue Ivy, Beyonce?
Perrie: Yeah, oh this is punching high, but I love it. Aim for the sky, why don’t you?
Rebecca Rudd: Axel is coming mate.
Perrie: To infinity and beyond
