Olivia Dean Says She Used to Think Making Pop Music Was ‘Lame’ Until ‘Man I Need’ Turned Her ‘Shame’ Into Gold
Olivia Dean has said she once felt embarrassed about making pop music and nearly held back the release of “Man I Need” because of perfectionism. She ultimately embraced the song, which became a major hit, illustrating how a change in confidence helped shape a commercially successful phase of her career.
Released in August 2025 before her album The Art of Loving, “Man I Need” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later ranked Billboard’s 63rd greatest No. 2 hit. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, while “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” reached No. 5; Dean and Sam Fender’s “Rein Me In” is also in its 22nd week at No. 1 in the UK, a record run.
- Dean overcame her reluctance to make pop music.
- “Man I Need” became a major US chart hit.
- Her Sam Fender collaboration holds the UK No. 1 record.