Like I Would

“Like I Would”
Information
Album	Mind of Mine
Released	May 24, 2016
Format	Digital Download
Recorded	2015
Length	3:13
Writers	Zayn Malik, C. Wells, J. Griffin, Robin Weisse, K. Rains, J. Emerson, S. Waviest
Producer	XYZ

Like I Would, stylized as LIKE I WOULD, is song of the English singer-songwriter Zayn Malik's debut solo album, Mind of Mine. It was released on March 10, 2016. It is only available on the deluxe edition of the album.

Lyrically, the song tries to prove to someone that he is the best thing she is ever going to get and that her new lover lacks the skills he brings to the bedroom.

Background

As described by the Billboard, the song is like a "dancefloor-ready R&B jam". The Independent described it as "electro-R&B". According to Complex, the song features an "upbeat backdrop and a catchy hook", and according to Spin, it has "a steady bass" and "funkyhook." It has been also described as a dance track. The song incorporates disco grooves in its chorus and brooding lyrics.

Lyrics

 
Hey what's up, it's been a while
Talking 'bout it's not my style
Thought I'd see what's up
While I'm lighting up
It's cold-hearted, cold-hearted

Know it's late but I'm so wired
Saw your face and got inspired
Guess you let it go, now you're good to go
It's cold-hearted, cold-hearted

Oh, oh
It's probably gonna sound wrong
Promise it won't last long
Oh, oh
If we can never go back
Thought you'd like to know that

He won't touch you like I do
He won't love you like I would
He don't know your body
He don't do you right
He won't love you like I would
Love you like I would

It's okay to want me, 'cause I want you
Been thinkin' it over, but I'm through
So stop wasting all my time, messing with my mind
It's cold-hearted, cold-hearted

Oh, oh
It's probably gonna sound wrong
Promise it won't last long
Oh, oh
If we can never go back
Thought you'd like to know that

[2x]
He won't touch you like I do
He won't love you like I would
He don't know your body
He don't do you right
He won't love you like I would
Love you like I would, like I would

He don't,
He can't love you like I would
He can't love you like I would
He don't know your body
He don't know your body

He, won't touch you like I do
He, won't love you like I would
He don't know your body
He don't do you right
He won't love you like I would
Love you like I would
Like I would

He can't touch you like I would
Won't touch you like I do
He can't love you like I could
Won't love you like I would
He don't know your body
He don't do you right
He won't love you like I would
Love you like I would
Like I would

Commercial Performance

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. In Canada, it debuted at number 23 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 14 on the Canadian Digital Songs chart.

In the United States, it debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the Pop Digital Songs chart. It is Zayn's third Hot 100 hit, after "Pillowtalk" and "iT's YoU". "Like I Would" also debuted at number 31 on the Digital Songs chart, selling 26,000 downloads, and number 42 on the Streaming Songs chart, with 5.6 million streams.

Commercially, the song reached the top-forty in eight countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. It also became his second song as a solo artist to reach the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at number 55, and also topped the country's dance charts.

Live Performance

Zayn performed 'Like I Would' on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon March 24, 2016. And at the Honda Stage, on March 30, 2016.

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Live on the Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater NY)

ZAYN - Like I Would (Wango Tango 2016)

Zayn "Like I Would" - The Voice 2016

Music Video

Music Video	Information
	Released	May 10, 2016
	Length	3:25
	Director	Director X
	Production Co
	Choreographer
	Filmed
	Location	Los Angeles
	VEVO views	47,222,883 (as of March 7, 2018)

Remixes

These are the list of remix versions of "Like I Would".

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (The White Panda Remix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Oliver Nelson Remix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Sharam Jey Remix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Rytmeklubben Remix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Dave Audé Mix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Lenno Remix) -Audio-

ZAYN - LIKE I WOULD (Troyboi Remix) -Audio-

Reception

The Fader included it in their "11 Songs You Need In Your Life This Week" list, describing it as a "euphoric, super danceable breakup jam". Nate Scott of USA Today ranked it number two on his "10 best songs of the week" list, calling it "another step in the right direction," noting that "the dancey track has verve and Malik’s voice shows some range." Lewis Corner and Amy Davidson of Digital Spy also included it in their "10 tracks you need to hear" list, stating that they "were still waiting for that BIG pop banger we know he's capable of" and that "Like I Would" is "just that and then some." Corner later added that the song is "screaming louder than Zayn's fans to be a No.1 hit" as the "hook is contagious, the lyric is swoon-worthy arrogant, and the chorus is enough to pop off arena ceilings across the globe." Robbie Daw of Idolator called it "a glorious ’80s throwback". Andrew Milne of musicOMH called it an "exhilarating breakup banger," while Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone enjoyed it for being a "clubby success." 

Edwin Ortiz of Complex stated that it "has major potential to get burn in clubs across the country." Nicholas Parco of New York Daily News stated that the track "is primed to be an early contender for hit of the early summer". Brennan Carley of Spin praised "ZAYN’s rich, warm vocals" that "weave themselves around a backing choir before a huge funky hook kicks in." Carley also stated: "What 'Sorry' did to jumpstart Justin Bieber's 'Purpose', 'Like I Would' is the poppy kick in the ass 'Mind of Mine' needed pre-release." Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly noted that the song leans "headfirst into sleek, Weeknd-style hedonism," a sentiment that Maeve McDermott of USA Today also expressed, writing that it "give us another clue what R&B contemporary Malik is taking clues from on this record: the Weeknd." Nick Levine of The Independent also agreed with both critics about The Weeknd's reference. Michael Cragg of The Guardian thought it was weird that "the excellent, upbeat 'Like I Would' is relegated to the deluxe edition."

Credits and Personnel

Recording

• Recorded at Record Plant, Los Angeles, California; Grove Studios, Los Angeles.
• Mixed at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, California

Personnel

• Zayn – vocals, writing.
• Chase Wells – writing, production, keyboards, programming, guitars.

• James Griffin – writing, production, keyboards, programming.
• Kevin Rains – writing, production, keyboards, programming.
• James Emerson – writing, production, keyboards, programming, guitars.

• Salvador Waviest – writing, production, keyboards, programming, guitars, recording.
• Couros Sheibani – keyboards, programming.
• Serban Ghenea – mixing
• Henrique Andrade – recording.
• Alex Layne – recording assistant.
• John Hanes – mixing engineer.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Mind of Mine, RCA Records