Sam Fender on How Olivia Dean Jumped on 'Rein Me In' #samfender #oliviadean #interview

Why It Matters

The duet illustrates how granting creative control to collaborators can generate chart‑topping hits, reshaping career trajectories for emerging and established artists alike.

Key Takeaways

• Sam Fender let Olivia Dean choose the track from his album.
• Dean rewrote the second verse, adding a female perspective.
• Their duet “Rain Me In” topped charts, including Ireland’s #1.
• Fender credits Dean for his first number‑one hit.
• Success arrived while Fender was gaming, eating pizza, and relaxing.

Summary

Sam Fender discusses how Olivia Dean became the perfect partner for the duet "Rain Me In," a track that emerged from an unexpected collaboration. Fender initially considered a label‑pushed single, but he sent Dean his entire album, allowing her to select the song she felt resonated most.

Dean chose "Rain Me In" and immediately reshaped the second verse, infusing a dual‑narrative that introduced a female perspective. Fender removed the original verse, giving her creative freedom to make the track her own, which broadened its emotional appeal and relatability.

The partnership proved decisive: the song climbed to number one in Ireland, prompting Fender to text Dean with gratitude. He notes that the milestone arrived while he was casually playing PlayStation and eating pizza, underscoring the surreal contrast between everyday routine and sudden chart‑topping success.

The story highlights how artist autonomy and cross‑gender storytelling can amplify a song’s reach, turning a modest collaboration into a career‑defining hit for both musicians.