By Your Side (feat. Tom Grennan)

"By Your Side" is a feel-good, uplifting anthem centered on the themes of unwavering support, reassurance, and hope. The lyrics convey a simple but profound message to a loved one who is struggling with feelings of loneliness, darkness, or despair. The singer, voiced by Tom Grennan, promises to be a constant source of comfort and strength, especially during difficult times. The core message is one of unconditional presence, as repeated in the line, "When you wake up in the morning, darling, I'll be by your side." This line suggests that no matter how dark the night was, the dawn brings the certainty of companionship. The song acts as a beacon of positivity, encouraging the listener to persevere through hardship ("don't give up the fight") with the knowledge that they are not alone. It's a declaration of loyalty and a promise to be a guiding light, to help rekindle the "fire again in the dark" and let the stars "shoot again."

The narrative of the song unfolds as a heartfelt promise of unwavering support and companionship. It begins by addressing a person who is waking up to a world that feels bleak and overshadowed by the lingering difficulties of the previous night. This imagery paints a picture of vulnerability and the struggle to face a new day when one is feeling down or lost. The singer immediately offers a comforting assurance, a simple yet powerful pledge: "I'll be by your side." This promise is a beacon of light, a guarantee that no matter how dark the morning feels, they will not be alone.

The song continues to explore moments of personal struggle, acknowledging times when loneliness creeps in and one's personal rhythm or momentum in life is lost. It's a relatable scenario of feeling disconnected and discouraged. In these moments of faltering, the lyrics serve as a motivational voice, urging the person not to surrender or "give up the fight." This message of perseverance is directly tied to the core promise of companionship; the strength to continue fighting is bolstered by the knowledge that someone is there, steadfast and supportive. The repetition of this pledge reinforces its sincerity and importance, making it the central pillar of the song's message.

As the song progresses, the promise evolves from a simple statement to a more profound declaration of commitment. The singer pledges to be more than just a physical presence; they vow to be "everything you wanted," a source of light when it's needed most. This elevates the promise to a deeper emotional level, suggesting a commitment to fulfilling the other person's needs for comfort, encouragement, and hope. The lyrics then transition into a call to action, encouraging the listener to reach out and accept this support. Phrases like "lay out your hand" and "hold out you hand" are direct invitations to connect and trust in this offered companionship. It's a symbolic gesture of vulnerability and acceptance, a necessary step in allowing someone else to help.

The imagery used in the latter part of the song is rich with metaphors of hope and renewal. The promise that "there'll be fire again in the dark" speaks to the rekindling of passion, spirit, and hope, even after a period of despair. The idea to "let the stars shoot again" and "let the light shine in through the dark" further emphasizes this theme of revitalization. It suggests that with this support, it's possible to find beauty, inspiration, and brightness once more. The song concludes by reiterating its central, powerful message, a final, resonant promise that encapsulates the entirety of its heartfelt and uplifting narrative: the unwavering commitment to always be there, right by their side.

"By Your Side" was released on June 4, 2021. The track originated from a demo that Calvin Harris had started a few years prior but had forgotten about. Upon rediscovering it, he felt it had a nostalgic and unique quality, prompting him to finish it. Harris described the song as a throwback to happier times, a contrast to the pandemic-influenced music being released at the time. For the vocals, Harris's first choice was Tom Grennan. He was drawn to Grennan's voice and his "relentless positivity" on social media, which he felt was a perfect match for the song's upbeat and reassuring nature. Harris reached out to Grennan directly via an Instagram message. Grennan, who was humorously on the toilet at the time, was thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate with the superstar DJ. The collaboration process was remarkably fast; Grennan recorded and sent his vocals back within two days, and the song was finalized as Harris's next single within three to four weeks. The track was co-written by Harris, Grennan, Jamie Scott, Mike Needle, John Newman, and Theo Hutchcraft.

The song follows a relatively simple and effective rhyme scheme, primarily using AABB couplets in the verses, such as "night" rhyming with "fight" and the repeated "side." This straightforward structure enhances the song's accessibility and sing-along quality. The rhythm is a classic four-on-the-floor dance beat, characteristic of house music, with a tempo designed to be energetic and danceable. The lyrical rhythm is melodic and flows smoothly over the pulsating electronic beat. The vocal phrases are structured to align with the musical phrasing, creating a cohesive and catchy interplay between the melody and the rhythm section. This synergy between the lyrical and musical rhythm drives the song's uplifting and propulsive feel, making it an effective anthem for both radio and dance floors.

Musically, "By Your Side" is a return to Calvin Harris's classic dance-pop and house sound from the early to mid-2010s, characterized by its bright, energetic, and euphoric production. The track is built on infectious beats, uplifting synth melodies, and a driving rhythm that makes it a quintessential summer anthem. Tom Grennan's vocal delivery is powerful and soulful, conveying both passion and sincere emotion which complements the track's positive message. Lyrically, the song utilizes direct address, speaking straight to the listener or the subject of the song, which creates an intimate and personal tone. The primary literary technique is repetition, particularly of the titular phrase "I'll be by your side." This repetition functions as a powerful refrain, reinforcing the song's central promise and making it memorable and chant-like. The simplicity and earnestness of the lyrics avoid complex metaphors, opting for straightforward, universally understood expressions of support and love.

Released in the summer of 2021, "By Your Side" was widely received as a timely "summer anthem," providing a dose of positivity as the world was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The song performed well commercially, entering the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and achieving success in several other countries. It marked a significant collaboration for Tom Grennan, further boosting his profile as a mainstream artist. The music video, directed by Emil Nava, features a kaleidoscopic and surreal visual experience that complements the song's sun-kissed and euphoric feel. The song was also included as a bonus track on the special edition of Tom Grennan's second album, "Evering Road." Its sound was noted by critics and fans as a nostalgic return to Harris's classic, uplifting dance-pop style that defined many of his earlier hits, distinguishing it from some of his more recent experimental projects.

The lyrics of "By Your Side" employ simple yet powerful metaphors centered around the classic imagery of light and darkness. The "darkness of the night" symbolizes periods of sadness, depression, loneliness, or struggle. It represents the internal battles one faces. In contrast, the arrival of the "morning" signifies a new beginning, hope, and the chance to overcome these challenges. The singer's promise to be there "by your side" when the person wakes up acts as a metaphorical sunrise, a beacon of light dispelling the shadows. Furthering this imagery, the song speaks of being a "light that's shining" and reigniting a "fire again in the dark." These metaphors position the supportive figure as a source of hope, guidance, and warmth, capable of restoring brightness and passion to someone's life when they feel lost in darkness.

The most prominent recurring phrase and central motif of the song is the line, "I'll be by your side." This phrase is repeated at the end of key lines in the verses and forms the core of the chorus, acting as the song's lyrical and emotional anchor. Its constant repetition drills home the unwavering promise of support and companionship. Another recurring motif is the imagery of morning after darkness, as seen in the lines "When you wake up in the morning / And you're shadowed by the darkness of the night." This juxtaposition is used to frame the singer's promise as a reliable source of light and hope at the start of a new day. The call to "Hold out your hand" also recurs, serving as a motif of connection and the act of accepting help. Musically, the song is built around a bright, memorable synth hook that repeats throughout, creating the track's signature feel-good and optimistic atmosphere.