Johnny Orlando has finally released his debut EP Teenage Fever.
Johnny Orlando’s Teenage Fever was one of 2019’s most anticipated releases. The highly regarded Canadian pop-superstar first broke onto the scene a few years ago, when his covers on YouTube went viral. Since then he has amassed millions of fans, all of whom were eagerly waiting for Johnny’s first album.
On Teenage Fever, Johnny Orlando gives his fans everything they were hoping for – and then some. Here is a track-by-track breakdown of the EP:
Track #1: Sleep
Johnny’s first track sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Sleep,” which is one of the album’s first singles, is a bonafide pop banger with an unforgettable, catchy chorus. The song was written by Johnny, along with Hampus Lindvall, Linnea Södahl, and Johnny Orlando’s sister, Darian Orlando.
The song talks about Johnny being so infatuated with someone that he doesn’t even want to go to sleep. Being with them is better than his dreams.
Don’t wanna fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
‘Cause being with you right now
Is better than our dreams now
Not gonna fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
Let’s drive around this ghost town until the morning light
Track #2: Last Summer
“Last Summer” was the first single that was released off of Teenage Fever. The song features Johnny reminiscing about a past love interest. Johnny spoke to Genius about the process of writing the song and how it came together:
It was actually pretty weird. We had no idea where we were going with the session for the first, I’d say two hours. We were just trying to talk a little bit to make it not as awkward. And then something just clicked, I don’t know what it was. But as we started writing the second verse and the chorus, I wasn’t too excited about it. In the first verse, I was like, “Oh, it’s okay.” And then the second verse, I heard the beat, and I was just like, “Oh my god, this is the single. It’s going to be amazing.” And then we were all pretty much pumped. I actually have a video, my sister has a video on her phone of me just freaking out hearing the song for the first time.
via Genius
In the the song’s chorus, Johnny sings that he is still a little caught up in his love interest from “‘last summer”
If I could, I’d never leave
I’m still burning in the heat
Of you and me and last summer, last summer (Yeah)
Johnny explained the feeling of a relationship having to end despite still having feelings for the person:
It’s the worst. That’s the worst feeling, when you know something’s gonna end. It’s like Sundays. Sundays suck because you know you have school the next day. And it’s still technically the weekend, but it’s not really the weekend, ‘cause you’re just stressing. But yeah, that’s happened a bunch of times.
via Genius
Track #3: Piece of My Heart
Johnny’s third track keeps with the central theme of the album thus far: not being able to be together with the person he cares about. Check out this portion of the lyrics from the chorus:
That I can’t be with you
But it hurts to let you go
You’ll always have a piece of my heart
No, I can’t be without you
But I have to let you go
You’ll always have a piece of my heart
Johnny is struggling with the fact that he can’t be with someone. He has to let that person go, but it still pains him to do it. Teenage romance is complicated!
Track #4: Deep Down
“Deep Down”, the album’s fourth track, is clearly directed at someone – perhaps the same person Johnny is singing about from his previous tracks. Johnny sings that even though this person has clearly moved on, she still misses him “deep down.”
Even though you don’t show it
We both know that you know it
You moved on from this small town
Hangin’ out with a new crowd
You been missin’ me deep down
Johnny goes on and really hammers his point home. He’s living in this person’s head rent free.
I bet you still think about me
Admit you can’t live without me at night in your bed
Yeah, I’m in your head
I bet you still think about me
Admit you can’t live without me at night in your bed
Yeah, I’m in your head
Track #5: Waste My Time
Most people don’t want their time wasted – unless it’s being wasted by someone special. That’s how Johnny’s feeling on this track. In fact, Johnny even sings that he LIKES it when this person wastes his time. They must be special.
I kinda like it when you waste my time
‘Cause it means I get to look in those eyes
Got me feelin’ like there ain’t no need to think beyond tonight
So go ahead and waste my time
What’s interesting is that Johnny says “there ain’t no need to think beyond tonight.” We’re thinking that Johnny isn’t necessarily looking for a long-term relationship with the person he’s singing about.
Track #6: Why
In the final track of the album, Johnny sings about how he is afraid to “try” with someone he seems to care about. Johnny is apprehensive and believes that he is “not good for the likes” of this person.
Tell you I don’t want you
When all I really wanna do is tell you that I miss you
It’s easy to approach you, you never make it hard to do
But honestly, I’m scared of the truth that I’m not for the likes of you
Johnny is at a loss as to why he’s too afraid to try to be with this person. He sings in the chorus:
I don’t know why, why, why, I’m so afraid to try, try, try
You’re everything that perfect defines
I don’t know why, why, why I’m so afraid to try
We’ve all been there – it can be nerve-wracking to make the first move with someone you care about. We’re sure Johnny will figure it out, though.
What’s your favourite track from Teenage Fever? Let us know on twitter @umusic!
Stream Johnny Orlando’s debut EP Teenage Fever below: