Zayn & Taylor Swift, I Don’t Wanna Live Forever | Track Review 🎵

Pop standouts Zayn & Taylor Swift join forces for “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” the featured single from Fifty Shades Darker.

Zayn, formerly of One Direction, and Taylor Swift, formerly a country musician, typically aren’t associated with one another.  Both are pop artists, but linking the two together seems incredibly unlikely. Nonetheless, the two pop standouts join forces for “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker),” the title track for the upcoming Fifty Shades Darker film.  The results are alluring.

 “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” opens with ad-libs courtesy of Zayn (“oh, oh, oh…”).  The beat is hard-hitting beat, anchoring the production.  Zayn deliver mad vocals, with his falsetto being ripe, dripping in sex and swagger.  The chorus is epic and bright in sound; incredibly catchy.

“I don’t wanna live forever, ‘cause I know I’ll be living in vain
And I don’t wanna fit wherever
I just wanna keep calling your name until you come back home…”

Swift enters into the picture on the second verse. She sounds great in her upper register. While she doesn’t necessarily match the sexy vibe of Malik, she still comes over as formidable. The second refrain finds both singing together, hence, a sound collaborative experience.  Swift initiates the bridge, providing a balancing act as Zayn steals the show early on.  He contributes during the bridge, but takes on more of a background role.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Zayn and Taylor Swift combine for an exceptional collaboration on “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.” The record is well produced and soundly performed.  Arguably, he delivers the better vocal performance, but she’s no slouch herself.  All said and done, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” is a winner.

Zayn & Taylor Swift • Fifty Shades Darker • Universal • Release (single): 12.9.16

Photo Credit: Universal