Will Linley releases his debut single and music video, “miss me (when you’re gone)”viaBMG.LISTEN HERE.
“miss me (when you’re gone)” was written last October, inspired by a real-life experience. The 20-year-old musician and songwriter, born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, started teasing the track on TikTok soon after. The teaser videos quickly began gaining traction, receiving over 4 million cumulative views with fans commenting their excitement before it was even officially released.
“My first song ‘miss me (when you’re gone)’ is a very personal song for me,” Will explains. “I had met someone who I felt brought out the best part of me. The song is about me realizing that I’m going to miss the person that I am when I am around her, when we can no longer be together.”
Will has built a connection with his ever-growing fanbase thanks to his raw, relatable lyrics over catchy melodies. “I put my own feelings into my songs, but I know that so many of those feelings are universal and true for others. It’s my hope that listeners can find some form of connection with the lyrics,” he says. “If someone feels seen or heard from listening to one of my songs, that’s incredible. For me, it’s about being open and honest and if I can impact someone’s life in a positive way that’s amazing. I think that’s the most beautiful gift that could come from all of this.”
While Will has found a global connection with fans thanks to TikTok, he is particularly excited about the South African connections that have been established while working on this project. He plans to continue collaborating with South African creatives, like producer duo Noble (David Balshaw and Bubele Booi), who produced “miss me (when you’re gone),” as well as Abongwe Booi, who directed the music video. “A phrase commonly used amongst South Africans is ‘We’re stronger together’ and that is something I want to bring through in my music,” Will notes. “It’s exciting to have the place I call home on display through my art. After all, my story is a South African story.”
Stay tuned for more new music from Will Linley soon.