Heat Waves – Glass Animals | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Hot 100 (#1 for 5 weeks); UK Singles Chart (#5); Released in 2020

Story Behind The Song By Wyatt Ralff


At first listen, “Heat Waves” feels like a hazy, late-night anthem, but underneath the dreamy beat is a song about grief, regret, and emotional acceptance. Frontman Dave Bayley wrote it about someone he lost, someone he still misses every June; “Late nights in the middle of June” isn’t just a hook, it’s a timestamp for heartbreak. The lyrics are deeply self-reflective. Bayley isn’t blaming anyone else, just facing the fact that no matter how much love he tried to give, it wasn’t enough. The “heat waves” became a metaphor for promises that looked real but faded on impact, just shimmering illusions on the pavement. Musically, it’s hypnotic and minimal, building slowly on emotion instead of big production. The song went viral on TikTok and had an unusually long climb to the top of the charts, breaking multiple records, including the longest run to #1 and longest Hot 100 charting song of all time (91 weeks). “Heat Waves” was also a pandemic anthem about memory, loneliness, and missing people you can’t be with. That quiet ache resonated. Ironically, Rihanna almost recorded it, but Bayley kept it, and it became the band’s defining hit.

This Song Meaning article was created and written by Top 40 Weekly Associate Editor Wyatt Ralff.
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Produced by:

Dave Bayley

Written by:

Dave Bayley

Heat Waves – Glass Animals ( Music Video)

Wyatt Ralff

This piece was written by Wyatt Ralff – an associate editor at Top 40 Weekly, where he combines his passion for music with his keen interest in cultural commentary. A 20-year-old college student from New Jersey, Wyatt is currently pursuing a degree in Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University. While his academic focus is rooted in political science, his love for music—especially hip-hop and, more recently, country—drives his editorial work at Top 40 Weekly. Wyatt believes that music is more than entertainment; it is a dynamic form of storytelling and social commentary that reflects the voices of diverse communities and captures pivotal moments in history. His work bridges his dual passions for politics and music, offering readers a unique perspective on how art and ideas intersect to influence society and inspire change.