Kygo and Rita Ora's new track and the lead single for Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Carry On, has been getting some high rotation ahead of the film's release this week, but did you know two prominent Australian songwriters are behind it?
Nat Dunn (NAATIONS) and The Potbelleez singer IIan Kidron actually wrote Carry On three years ago in LA alongside fellow songwriters Josh Cumbee and Afshin Salmani.
Speaking to The Music, Dunn and Kidron said that a number of huge artists put their own vocals on Carry On before Ora eventually landed on it, including Charlie Puth, Kelly Rowland and Dua Lipa with Swae Lee.
Ora, who also has a role in Pokémon Detective Pikachu, pushed for Carry On to be used for the film.
"For three years we worked really hard and never gave up on it," Dunn said.
"I am really glad that Rita did that vocal because she is a worker as well.
"She never wanted to let go of the fact that, when she was doing a part in this film, she thought that it would be really cool to have a song included on the film... I was already pitching this song to Marshmello the week before we found out."
Kidron complimented Dunn's "tenacity" to get Carry On out into the world.
"The emails that were flying back and forth to get this nailed, rarely do I see an artist or a writer actually push it the way [Nat] did," he said.
Since its release last month, Carry On has hit music charts around the world including peaking at #8 on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs list.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu will be released in cinemas around Australia this Thursday.
