Diplo and Lily Rose joined forces to deliver the live television debut of their collaborative single, “Sad In The Summer,” during the season finale of The Voice on Tuesday evening (May 23).
Together, the pair brought the tune to life in a swamp-like setting as Rose belted out the lyrics to the fan-favorite hit.
“I don’t wanna be sad in the summer so / Please don’t let me go til it’s over / I don’t wanna be sad in the summer so / Can you just hold me close, a little longer / Keep making love while the sun shines / When September comes we’ll say goodbye / I don’t wanna be sad in the summer so / Sad in the summer so, sad in the summer no,” Rose sang on the tune’s chorus.
Co-written by Lily Rose with labelmate Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton, Ben Johnson, Diplo, King Henry, and Picard Brothers, “Sad In The Summer” finds Rose holding on to the fleeting joy of both the summer season and a seasonal relationship, desperate for a love to last as the year cools down.
The track showcases Lily Rose’s buttery vocals mixed to perfection over a signature Diplo beat.
“It’s pretty surreal to me that I’m not only part of Diplo’s new project, but featured on track number 1,” Rose shared of the tune. “I spun the hell outta his first Country collab project and it’s a huge honor to get to say I’m on the second one. Massive thank you to Diplo and the whole team for making this bucket list moment happen!”
Diplo, whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, and Lily Rose delivered the live debut of the tune at Stagecoach during the final night of Diplo’s annual “Late Night in Palomino.”
“Sad In The Summer” appears as the lead single on Diplo’s latest collaborative project, Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant. The project features six tracks, including collaborations with Rose, Dove Cameron, Sturgill Simpson reborn as Johnny Blue Skies, Paul Cauthen, Sierra Ferrell, Morgan Wade, Parker McCollum, Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel.
“To prepare for this new Thomas Wesley project, I went back to my father’s house in Florida, and I spent six months learning guitar, getting in touch with nature, working his boat when the shrimp were running on full moons at the trailer park,” Diplo shared in a previous statement. “I tried on a lot of cowboy hats. I rode a lot of motorcycles and horses basically reflecting on my whole life and career and connection with this music…there was a lot. It all started in the swamps I was raised in. This is the greatest single piece of work I’ve ever done. I can promise you that.”
The project serves as the follow-up to Diplo’s Gold-certified, country-themed 2020 project, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil.
The two-hour season finale also featured performances from Maroon 5, Toosi, CeeLo Green, as well as Diplo featuring Lily Rose, and more.
In addition, Blake Shelton joined forces with NOIVAS and Grace West, while Kelly Clarkson took to The Voice stage with D. Smooth. Niall Horan performed alongside Gina Miles and Chance The Rapper harmonized with the trio, Sorelle.
The show also included special appearances from John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, Usher, Pharrell Williams and Dolly Parton.
It was surely an emotional evening as the show marked Blake Shelton final show as a coach on The Voice.
The Voice aired on Tuesday (May 23) at 9/8c via NBC.
