Sweet Nothing (Calvin Harris song)

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="It's more satisfying when you're pursuing something. It's like chasing a girl or something. It's way more satisfying if you put in a year's worth of effort of chasing and then you get the result, you get the vocal." |source=—Harris on working with Welch.}}

On 30 July 2012, Calvin Harris stated via his Twitter account that his third studio album 18 Months would be released at the end of October 2012.{{cite tweet|user=CalvinHarris|author=Calvin Harris|number=230081600552058880|title=My album's out in October|date=30 July 2012|accessdate=14 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416181817/https://twitter.com/CalvinHarris/status/230081600552058880|archive-date=16 April 2016}} In an interview with 4Music, Harris explained that the album would be "like a compilation, a NOW album with me all over it."{{cite web|url=http://www.4music.com/news/interviews/5580/4Music-meets-Calvin-Harris|title=News: 4Music Meets Calvin Harris|author=Nicolle Weeks|date=8 August 2012|access-date=14 October 2012}} While recording for the album, 18 Months, Calvin wanted to collaborate with Florence Welch.{{cite news|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=Calvin Harris/ Florence Welch Collabo Was All About The 'Chase'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1696945/calvin-harris-florence-welch-collabo.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301132555/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1696945/calvin-harris-florence-welch-collabo.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2014|access-date=18 January 2013|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|date=7 November 2012}} He had previously worked with her band Florence and the Machine on a remix of their 2012 single 'Spectrum' (2012). It eventually peaked at number-one on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=Calvin Harris unveils his Florence Welch collaboration 'Sweet Nothing' – listen|url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/65783|access-date=18 January 2013|work=NME|publisher=IPC Media|date=28 August 2012}} He told MTV that the thrill of the chase only made her vocal contribution that much more special. Harris' history with Florence started far before the year and a half he dedicated to making the album. He further explained:

"I met Florence for the first time end of 2007 and the first time I ever saw her in my life, it was like weird corporate [party] and I walked into the green room and she was definitely drunk, getting a piggy back off someone in her band, like with a bottle of champagne, screaming. And I thought 'I like this girl.'... And in the years [since] she just actually grew up. I wasn't expecting that," he said. "I thought she was a cool kid, one of those people who come and go and then she just smashed it." He added, "Now Florence is Florence. She's cool as fuck as well."

To record the track, Harris had to go after Florence to record her vocals for the track. He also stated, "With Florence, she was really busy at that time. She was in the middle of a tour and she had like three days to record something, so I wasn't there, anything could've come back." Calvin was pressed for time when he got the call and finding out Florence would do the vocals on "Sweet Nothing." He hadn't started working on the song and scrambled to give her a track to record the vocals on.{{cite web|title=Calvin Harris Talks Making "Sweet Nothing" With Florence Welch|url=http://amp.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/calvin-harris-talks-making-sweet-nothing-with-florence-welch/|access-date=18 January 2013|publisher=CBS|date=28 November 2012}} He told Rolling Stone that, "I didn't think she'd do it. She seemed a really unattainable artist to reach for. I think she would've done it if the song was right and the people were right and it was all at the right time. I did a remix for her and she owed me a favor – I guess part of it was that."{{cite magazine|last=Baltin|first=Steve|title=Calvin Harris Lands the 'Unattainable' Florence Welch|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/calvin-harris-lands-the-unattainable-florence-welch-20120907|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date=18 January 2013|date=7 September 2012}} "Sweet Nothing" first premiered on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 on 28 August 2012,{{cite web|last=Daw|first=Robbie|title=Calvin Harris Featuring Florence Welch "Sweet Nothing": Listen|url=http://idolator.com/6848282/calvin-harris-florence-welch-sweet-nothing|access-date=18 January 2013|website=Idolator|publisher=SpinMedia|date=28 August 2012}} and was released as the fifth single from the album on 14 October 2012.

{{Listen

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|title = "Sweet Nothing"

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|description = A 22-second sample of "Sweet Nothing".

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"Sweet Nothing" was written by Calvin Harris, Florence Welch and Kid Harpoon, while production was handled by Harris.{{cite AV media notes|title=18 Months|others=Calvin Harris|publisher=Columbia Records|id=533064-2|type=CD liner notes}} He also serves as the arranger and plays all instruments of the track. The song was recorded by Harpoon and mastered by Simon Dave. Welch, from the band Florence and the Machine, is the vocalist of the track. It is an electronic dance music song, following the familiar pattern of taking love-strung vocals and layering them over a bouncy, ever-building beat.{{cite news|last=Makarechi|first=Kia|title='Sweet Nothing': Florence & The Machine & Calvin Harris Unveil Bouncy House Track (AUDIO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/28/sweet-nothing-florence-the-machine-calvin-harris_n_1837715.html|access-date=18 January 2013|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL|date=28 August 2012}} The tale of "Sweet Nothing" is a romance with no depth. It addresses a relationship: "You took my heart and you held it in your mouth/ And with a word all my love came rushing out/ And every whisper, it's the worst, emptied out by a single word," Welch begins the track.{{cite web|last=Lamb|first=Bill|title=Calvin Harris – "Sweet Nothing" featuring Florence Welch|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Calvin-Harris-Sweet-Nothing-Featuring-Florence-Welch.htm|website=About.com|publisher=New York Times Company|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219213934/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Calvin-Harris-Sweet-Nothing-Featuring-Florence-Welch.htm|archive-date=19 February 2013|url-status=dead}}

File:Florence Machine (Florence Welch).jpg (pictured), who received favourable reviews from music critics, for delivering "tamed", but "special" vocals.]]

"Sweet Nothing" received generally positive reviews from music critics. After its premiere on the radio, Robbie Daw of Idolator stated, "If there was any doubt as to whether Harris is the current king of frothy, radio-friendly dance pop on both sides of the Atlantic, one need only listen to this energetic jam." Chris Smith of Yahoo! UK called it "a pop pairing made in heaven", writing, "The club friendly track features Calvin's latest knob twiddling genius that never seems to get old despite debuting in last year's monster anthem 'We Found Love'. Flo's vocal again lends itself effortlessly to the track—it's somehow difficult to understand why she hadn't ventured into this territory before. 'Sweet Nothing' manages to sound anthemic without needing the big drop."{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Chris|title=Single Review: Calvin Harris- Sweet Nothing – Yahoo! UK|url=http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/news/single-review-calvin-harris-sweet-nothing-131100696.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217030543/http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/news/single-review-calvin-harris-sweet-nothing-131100696.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2013|access-date=19 January 2013|website=Yahoo!|date=17 October 2012}} Billboard was very positive, writing, "The bass glimmers underneath Welch's operatic chants, as the singer, freed momentarily from her well-oiled Machine, gets to re-imagine her career as a dance goddess. It delivers its irresistible throb via a special voice."{{cite magazine|title=Calvin Harris, '18 Months': Track-By-Track Review|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1066772/calvin-harris-18-months-track-by-track-review|access-date=19 January 2013|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=29 October 2012}} Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian called it "the highlight of 18 Months."{{cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/25/calvin-harris-18-months-review |title=Calvin Harris: 18 Months – review |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 October 2012 |access-date=23 July 2014}}

Emily Mackay of NME agreed, stating that "the highest point apart is Florence's dance-diva turn on the p-p-p-p-powing power-house of 'Sweet Nothing'."{{cite web |last=Mackay |first=Emily |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/calvin-harris/13813 |title=Calvin Harris – '18 Months' |work=NME |publisher=IPC Media |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012}} Adam Pollock of Filter magazine opined, "A thrilling guest vocal by Florence Welch adds an excitingly dark vibe to the album, which for the most part stays in booty-shaking mode."{{cite news|last=Pollock|first=Adam|title=FILTER Magazine – Reviews – Calvin Harris|url=http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/reviews/entry/calvin_harris|access-date=19 January 2013|newspaper=Filter|date=9 November 2012}} Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song three-and-a-half out of five stars, calling it "satisfying as a pop radio treat, but it leaves fans hoping for something just a little deeper and more memorable." He criticised the song for "failing to go much further beyond the arresting opening," however he wrote that "Calvin Harris' disco-inflected pop remains irresistible." Tim Sendra of AllMusic was mixed, writing that "Florence Welch's desperate wail pushes it over the top."{{cite web |last=Sendra |first=Tim |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/18-months-mw0002306017 |title=18 Months – Calvin Harris |website=AllMusic |access-date=4 November 2012}} Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly agreed, writing that "Welch's banshee wail gets buried under the laser-gun peals of 'Sweet Nothing'."{{cite magazine |last=Maerz |first=Melissa |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/10/26/18-months-review-calvin-harris |title=18 Months (2012) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time Inc. |date=24 October 2012 |access-date=25 October 2012 |archive-date=27 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427162838/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20641956,00.html |url-status=live }} Robert Copsey of Digital Spy felt that the song "lacked originality and felt more like attempt to fit in rather than stand out."{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Robert |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a433441/calvin-harris-18-months-album-review.html |title=Calvin Harris: '18 Months' – Album review |publisher=Digital Spy |date=29 October 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012}}

In the UK midweeks charts, "Sweet Nothing" was ahead of Swedish House Mafia, knocking their track "Don't You Worry Child" into second place.{{cite news|title=Calvin Harris and Florence Welch's Sweet Nothing set for No. 1|url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/10/18/calvin-harris-and-florence-welchs-sweet-nothing-set-for-no-1-602853/|access-date=19 January 2013|newspaper=Metro UK|date=18 October 2012}} On 21 October 2012, the single topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming their second number one single in three months, following Harris's remix of Florence and the Machine's "Spectrum (Say My Name)" in topping the UK chart.{{cite web|last=Eames|first=Tom|title=Calvin Harris, Florence score second duet No.1 with 'Sweet Nothing'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a432266/calvin-harris-florence-score-second-duet-no1-with-sweet-nothing.html|access-date=19 January 2013|publisher=Digital Spy|date=21 October 2012}} It is also Harris' fourth number one single in the UK either as a solo or featured artist. On 27 October 2012, the song dropped to number 3.{{cite web|last=Eames|first=Tom|title=Labrinth has first No.1 with Emeli Sandé duet 'Beneath Your Beautiful'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a433879/labrinth-has-first-no1-with-emeli-sande-duet-beneath-your-beautiful.html|access-date=19 January 2013|publisher=Digital Spy|date=28 October 2012}} In its third week, it fell to number 6.{{cite web|last=Eames|first=Tom|title=Robbie Williams scores first No.1 single since 2004 with 'Candy'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a435576/robbie-williams-scores-first-no1-single-since-2004-with-candy.html|access-date=19 January 2013|publisher=Digital Spy|date=4 November 2012}} It also topped the chart in Ireland where it became his third number one singles on that country after "We Found Love" and "We'll Be Coming Back".{{fact|date=October 2024}}

The song was a commercial success in Australia, debuting at number 2 on the ARIA Charts week of 28 October 2012. In its second week, it remained at number 2, while in its third week, it fell only to number 2. It remained to further weeks at the top-ten, before falling on the charts. In its twelfth week, the song gave a climb from number 36 to number 25. "Sweet Nothing" was certified 2× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 140,000 copies.{{cite web|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSINGLEaccreds2012.htm|publisher=ARIA Charts|access-date=19 January 2013}} In New Zealand, the song repeated the same success, debuting at number 2 on the RIANZ chart week of 22 October 2012. It fell to number 4, in its second week, but climbed to number 3, in its third week. It spent 4 further weeks inside the top-ten. After two weeks out of the top-twenty, "Sweet Nothing" climbed to number 19, in its twelfth week, being certified "Platinum" by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.

"Sweet Nothing" debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, on the week of 3 November 2012.{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Songs & New Music: November 3, 2012|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-03/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=19 January 2013}} After three weeks out of the charts, the song re-entered at number 97, on the week of 1 December 2012.{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Songs & New Music: December 1, 2012|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-01/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=19 January 2013}} In its third week, it jumped to number 82, while in its fourth week, it climbed to number 58.{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Songs & New Music: December 15, 2012|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-15/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=19 January 2013}} That same week, it debuted on the Pop Songs chart at number 32. In its sixth week, the single entered the top-forty, climbing to number 33.{{cite web|title=US Singles Top 100 Compiled By: Billboard Hot 100 Issue Date: Saturday December 29, 2012|url=http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2012/52|website=ACharts|access-date=19 January 2013}} After a fall to number 40, the song jumped to number 24, also peaking at number 20 on the Pop Songs chart.{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Songs & New Music: January 19, 2012|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-01-19/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=19 January 2013}} In its tenth week, the song reached number 20 on the Hot 100,{{cite web|title=US Singles Top 100 Compiled By: Billboard Hot 100 Issue Date: Saturday January 26, 2012|url=http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2012/52|website=ACharts|access-date=19 January 2013}} becoming Harris' third top-twenty single. In its twelfth week, the song peaked at number 10, becoming his first top 10 hit as lead performer in the country (second overall) and also Florence Welch's first US top 10 hit.{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|title=Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lead Hot 100 for Third Straight Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537998/macklemore-ryan-lewis-lead-hot-100-for-third-straight-week|access-date=6 February 2013|magazine=Billboard|date=6 February 2013}} As of July 2013, the song has sold over 1,216,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/1568861/daft-punk-william-britney-spears-lead-2013-mid-year-soundscan|title=Daft Punk, Will.i.am & Britney Spears Lead 2013 Mid-Year SoundScan Dance/Electronic Charts|author=Keith Caulfield|magazine=Billboard|date=3 July 2013}}

On 23 August, Harris announced via Facebook that he was filming the music video for "Sweet Nothing" with Florence and the Machine.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/calvinharris/posts/10151032865386169|title=Shooting the video for Sweet Nothing with Florence and the Machine right now! Exciting|author=Calvin Harris|website=Facebook|date=23 August 2012|access-date=14 October 2012}} The video was filmed over two days at a working men's club in Dalston, London, under the direction of Vincent Haycock{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/calvin-harris/news/calvin-harris-collaboration-single|title=Calvin Harris And Florence and the Machine Shoot 'Sweet Nothing' Music Video |website=Capital FM |date=24 August 2012|access-date=14 October 2012}} who also directed Harris' videos for "Flashback", "Bounce" and "Feel So Close". The exterior shots were filmed close to Stepney Methodist Church Bus Stop on Commercial Road, Limehouse, London. The music video premiered on 20 September 2012 through Harris' YouTube VEVO channel.{{cite web|title=Calvin Harris – Sweet Nothing ft. Florence Welch|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ozSeGw-fY|access-date=19 January 2013|website=YouTube|date=20 September 2012}} The video stars Harris and Welch, as well as English actors Leo Gregory{{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/50081686|title=VIDEO: Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch – Sweet Nothing|author=Vincent Haycock|website=Vimeo|date=24 September 2012|access-date=14 October 2012}} and Kianoush Joseph.{{cite web|url=http://www.spotlight.com/8171-0169-9457|title=Kianoush Joseph Official Spotlight Actors Page|website=Spotlight|date=24 September 2012|access-date=14 October 2012}}

The video begins with Gregory sitting in a restaurant after breaking up with Welch. As he leaves the restaurant, he passes his food to a hooded man, who becomes confused as to why Gregory gave it to him. Meanwhile, Florence Welch is seen in a suit onstage at a nightclub where she is performing. Gregory gets stopped on his way by a group of men who start assaulting him. He tries to fight back, resulting in an even more severe beating. While he gets beaten, Welch seems to "feel" pain as she sings on the stage. This segment is interspersed with scenes of Gregory fighting with his girlfriend and his girlfriend telling her story to Calvin Harris. Harris watches as Welch takes off her suit and tie and frees her hair to reveal herself as the girlfriend being abused by Gregory. This is when we are shown how Calvin Harris, who, after listening to Florence Welch's story of her and Gregory's violent relationship and break-up, executes her revenge by arranging to have Gregory beaten up. Welch continues her angry and energetic dancing as the video ends, along with the flashbacks, with Gregory still being assaulted by the men, and Gregory's girlfriend still distraught in the bathroom.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95dQ7b_SmY|title='360 sessions' with Calvin Harris|author=Channel 4|website=YouTube|date=16 August 2011|access-date=14 October 2012}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| title1 = Sweet Nothing

| length1 = 3:35

| headline = Digital EP

| title2 = Sweet Nothing

| note2 = Tiësto remix

| length2 = 5:08

| title3 = Sweet Nothing

| note3 = Burns remix

| length3 = 4:00

| title4 = Sweet Nothing

| note4 = Dirtyloud remix

| length4 = 4:02

| title5 = Sweet Nothing

| note5 = Qulinez remix

| length5 = 6:14

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{{Track listing

| headline = German CD single

| title1 = Sweet Nothing

| length1 = 3:35

| title2 = Sweet Nothing

| length2 = 5:08

| note2 = Tiësto remix

}}

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|certyear=2023|access-date=4 April 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|date=24 May 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2021|access-date=18 October 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Calvin Harris|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=5|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2023|access-date=21 December 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2023|access-date=24 February 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|id=2279|access-date=13 September 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Calvin Harris|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2014|access-date=11 August 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|date=23 July 2015|source=radioscope|access-date=26 December 2024|relyear=2012|certyear=2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|id=calvin-harris-feat-florence-welch-sweet-nothing|certyear=2024|access-date=11 March 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2012|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=41&dfom=20130424 |title=Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 18, 3 maj 2013 |language=sv |publisher=Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association |access-date=10 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310085638/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=41&dfom=20130424|archive-date=10 March 2014}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|access-date=10 March 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Calvin Harris/Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2012|id=10944-3380-1|certyear=2024|access-date=21 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Calvin Harris|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2022|access-date=12 January 2022}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch|title=Sweet Nothing|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|id=6083|streamsonly=true|access-date=21 September 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}

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Category:2012 singles

Category:2012 songs

Category:Calvin Harris songs

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Category:UK singles chart number-one singles