The second single from his soon-to-be-released Greatest Hits: Deluxe Edition album is an ode to the one in four people who are sexually abstinent.
John Duff’s second single from his soon-to-be-released Greatest Hits: Deluxe Edition album is “Forgotten How to Fck”, a New Orleans-inspired, late-1950’s rock-and-roll number that he wrote and produced as a nod to his 8-year-old self who would perform Elvis songs at school talent shows.
“I really wanted to perform Mariah Carey or Backstreet Boys songs at my shows, but my mom advised that if I was going to be a performer, I should learn from great showmen like Elvis, Sinatra, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations,” Duff explains. “I was still able to show off some pizzazz, but with a little compromise. Ultimately, I won the contests.”
Duff wrote his original version of “Forgotten How to Fck” in 2020 when he was undergoing some intimate health problems that included multiple surgeries. Sex was the last thing on his mind – and the pandemic only extended his physical solitude. He posted a clip of the song to his Instagram. When producers Eren Cannata (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Demi Lovato) and Koil PreAmple (Timbaland, Danity Kane), they reached out and asked if they could finish it.
“Writing and recording ‘Forgotten How to Fck’” made fun of my abstinence, and fun is always empowering,” he adds.
The song doesn’t relate to Duff anymore, and he considered scrapping it altogether, but he reconsidered when he played it for several people of a certain age, and for friends who had been deployed. “So many said ‘oh, this is my song!’ It made me realize the song speaks to people of varied experiences. Turns out, one in four people are sexually abstinent.”
Like Duff’s last single release, every element of “Forgotten How to Fck” was played by human beings. Eren Cannata provided guitar and bass; drums are by Daniel Crean; horns are by Aaron Janick; and Miles Dalto is on keys.John Duff created the treatment for the video with Grant Vanderbilt (House of Avalon).
Directed by Brad Hammer, the video depicts John echoing Elvis Presley from his ‘68 Comeback Special. John is also featured dancing in silhouette in all of the LED panel boxes. “We thought Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special was a perfect reference for this song. After all, Elvis was deployed for two years. He was probably a little rusty in the sack.”
John Duff’s “Forgotten How To Fck” is being distributed by Vydia and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. Its video is available on YouTube. Follow John Duff onFacebook andInstagram @ iamjohnduff
