Unexpected Paths to Collaboration
Five years can be a long wait for a song to emerge.
Backstage at Lollapalooza, Zedd and Remi Wolf shared that their track “Lucky” had its roots in a brief songwriting stint by Wolf half a decade ago.
Ć¢ā¬ÅI wrote Ć¢ā¬ĖLuckyĆ¢ā¬ā¢ in 2019 when I was focused just on songwriting for two months,Ć¢ā¬Ā Wolf laughed while talking to Rolling StoneĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Delisa Shannon. Ć¢ā¬ÅAnd very quickly, it went to you, [Zedd].Ć¢ā¬Ā
Ć¢ā¬ÅI loved the song and wanted to produce it, but I hadnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t gotten deep into my album yet,Ć¢ā¬Ā Zedd recalled. Ć¢ā¬ÅAt that time, you didnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t want to be on it.Ć¢ā¬Ā
Wolf had doubts back then. Ć¢ā¬ÅI only had four songs out, so I didnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t feel ready. But I always thought it was a great song. And now, here we are in 2024. Sometimes things take a while.Ć¢ā¬Ā
Fans know patience can lead to great music.
In early 2024, they reconnected to add a second verse after Wolf decided to join Zedd on the project. Though others tried to sing it, no one matched her touch.
Ć¢ā¬ÅMeeting someone new, you never know if youĆ¢ā¬ā¢ll click or not,Ć¢ā¬Ā Zedd said. Ć¢ā¬ÅI had no expectations. We just made music and talked a lot.Ć¢ā¬Ā
Different Styles, One Song
The duo discussed how their distinct methods influenced the creative process.
Ć¢ā¬ÅYouĆ¢ā¬ā¢re super detailed, and IĆ¢ā¬ā¢m not,Ć¢ā¬Ā Wolf said. Ć¢ā¬ÅOur workflows are almost opposites, which actually works well together. IĆ¢ā¬ā¢m all about speed and energy bursts; whatever happens in the first few hours is usually the song.Ć¢ā¬Ā
Zedd, on the other hand, takes his time. Ć¢ā¬ÅI wrote the first song on my album nine and a half years ago,Ć¢ā¬Ā he said. Ć¢ā¬ÅSometimes I need years to figure out a song. Music from the heart doesnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t expire; it just needs the right moment.Ć¢ā¬Ā
Isn’t it cool how different styles can create something amazing?