You know that feeling when a song just catches you at exactly the right moment? It’s 2021. The world is kind of a mess. Everyone is stuck inside, feeling a bit disconnected, and then this gravelly, powerhouse voice comes blasting through the radio.
Tom Grennan's "Little Bit of Love" wasn't just another pop song. It was a lifeline.
I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking, "Who is this guy?" He sounded like he’d lived a thousand lives, but he was just this lad from Bedford with a football background and a voice that could crack pavement.
The Story Behind Tom Grennan Little Bit of Love
Most people hear the soaring chorus and assume it’s just another breakup track. You’ve got the "swimming in the deep end" and the "stepping on broken glass" lines—classic heartbreak tropes. But there is a lot more under the hood here.
Grennan actually wrote this during a period of massive personal growth. He was living on Evering Road in East London (which is where the album title comes from). The house was a "hub of love, heartbreak, and redemption," as he puts it.
The song is specifically about the mental tug-of-war that happens when a relationship dissolves. Do you go back? Do you move on? It's that exhausting "push and pull."
- Release Date: January 8, 2021
- Writers: Tom Grennan, Daniel Bryer, Mike Needle
- Producers: Dan Bryer, Lostboy (Peter Rycroft)
Honestly, the "little bit of love" he's singing about isn't just romantic. It’s about the unconditional support from family and friends that keeps you from drowning when your own mind starts playing tricks on you. He mentions "voices in my head" and "deafening silence." That's real talk about mental health, masked by a massive, radio-friendly melody.
Breaking Down the Music Video
If the song is about internal struggle, the music video—directed by Keane Shaw—takes those themes and makes them gritty.
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It features Tom and actor Luke Kelly playing brothers in a working-class environment. There’s no glamorous pop-star fluff here. You see the stress of financial burden and the looming threat of "the wrong crowd."
The video tackles the idea of toxic masculinity.
Think about it. We’re taught as men to "tough it out." But in the video, we see Tom’s character grappling with the need to be a provider and a protector while clearly being on the edge of a breakdown. The moment they jump into the water at the end? That’s the release. It’s the baptism of moving on.
Why the Charts Fell in Love
You can't ignore the numbers. The track peaked at Number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.
It didn't just stay there for a week and vanish. It was a "slow burn" hit. It stayed in the Top 10 for weeks because it had that rare cross-generational appeal. Your grandma liked the soulfulness; you liked the beat.
Radio loved it too. In 2022, it was even nominated for the BRIT Award for Song of the Year. While it didn't take home the trophy, the nomination solidified Grennan as a heavyweight in the UK music scene.
| Milestone | Achievement |
|---|---|
| UK Peak | Number 7 |
| BRIT Awards | Song of the Year Nominee |
| Certifications | Platinum (and then some) |
What's wild is how well it did internationally. It cracked the charts in Australia and all over Europe. There’s something universal about needing a bit of grace when you’re failing.
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The Production Magic
Let’s talk about the sound for a second.
The track was produced by Lostboy and Dan Bryer. At the time, the charts were full of very polished, electronic-heavy pop. "Little Bit of Love" went the other way. It brought back a bit of that gospel-inspired, "big room" sound.
The piano is driving. The backing vocals give it that communal, "we’re all in this together" vibe.
But really, it’s all about Tom’s vocal. He has this grit—this rasp—that makes you believe every word. When he hits that high note in the chorus, you feel the desperation. It’s not "pretty" singing; it’s honest singing.
Common Misconceptions
One thing I see people get wrong all the time is thinking this was his debut.
Nope.
Tom had already released Lighting Matches in 2018. He was already a "thing," especially after his feature on Chase & Status’s "All Goes Wrong." But "Little Bit of Love" was the moment he transitioned from a "cool indie-soul guy" to a "household name."
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Another misconception? That the song is purely sad.
It’s actually super hopeful. It’s about realizing that even if you’ve "used your wings too soon," there is a path back.
How to Get the Most Out of the Track Today
If you’re just rediscovering this song or maybe you’re looking for more like it, here is the move:
- Listen to the Abbey Road Version: There’s a live recording from Abbey Road that strips away some of the pop production. It’s just Tom, a piano, and some strings. It’ll give you chills.
- Check out the rest of Evering Road: "Little Bit of Love" is the gateway drug, but tracks like "Amen" and "This Is the Place" complete the story of his time on that street.
- Watch the Live Performances: Tom is a beast on stage. Whether it’s Glastonbury or a small studio set, the energy he brings to this song is twice what you hear on the record.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or "swimming in the deep end" yourself, put this on. Turn it up. It reminds us that we don’t need a miracle to get through the day—sometimes, just a little bit of love is enough.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Thematically: Use the song as a reminder to check in on the "tough" people in your life. The video teaches us that even the strongest-looking people are often carrying a bag of "one-pound notes" (stress) they want to throw in a pool.
- Musically: If you're a singer, study how Tom uses his chest voice. He doesn't shy away from the cracks in his voice; he uses them to convey emotion.
- Contextually: Understand that this song was part of a "redemption" arc for Tom. He’s been very open about making mistakes in his past and using this album to apologize and grow.
The track has officially joined the ranks of those "modern classics." You'll be hearing it at weddings, in montages, and on "Best of the 2020s" playlists for a very long time.
To truly appreciate the evolution of this sound, go back and listen to his 2018 work and compare it to the maturity found in the songwriting here. You can hear a man who stopped trying to sound like his idols and started sounding like himself. That's the real power of the track. It’s authentic. And in a world of AI-generated hooks and ghostwritten TikTok snippets, authenticity is the one thing you can't fake.
Next Steps to Explore Tom Grennan:
- Listen to "Remind Me" and "All These Nights" to see how he transitioned into a more upbeat, "fun" sound following the heavy emotions of the Evering Road era.
- Follow his "The Drive" series on social media where he often talks about the behind-the-scenes reality of touring and mental health.
- Compare the studio version of "Little Bit of Love" with the live version from the 2021 Bedford Park homecoming show to see how his hometown energy changes the song’s impact.