Mick Jagger Names the Zara Larsson Song That Made Him a Fan
There are a few endorsements in the music world that carry the cultural weight of a compliment from Mick Jagger. For Zara Larsson, that moment arrived in the most unexpected way possible, live on national television, in front of thousands of fans, while she was in the middle of promoting her new album.
The Swedish pop star made a splashy appearance Friday on NBC's Today show as part of its annual Summer Concert Series, using the platform to celebrate the release of her remix project Midnight Sun (Girls Trip). The outdoor plaza was packed with enthusiastic supporters, but the biggest surprise of the morning had nothing to do with the setlist. Midway through the appearance, hosts revealed a pre-recorded clip from an interview conducted earlier that week with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and what he had to say clearly caught Larsson completely off guard.
In the footage, Jagger was asked to name a contemporary artist he had been gravitating toward lately. Without missing a beat, the 80-year-old rock legend described a conversation with his son, who had suggested that Larsson was in the midst of a major comeback. Jagger pushed back on the premise. "She never went away for me," he said plainly, before identifying the 2018 ballad "Ruin My Life" as the track that first drew him in. He added that it's the kind of song he turns to when he's in a particular emotional headspace.
Watching the clip play out before her, Larsson appeared visibly moved. "I can't believe it," she told the hosts and crowd after it concluded. "It's so beautiful to just see how everyone's coming on this journey."
The timing could hardly be better for Larsson, who at 28 finds herself in what many are calling a commercial and artistic resurgence. The Midnight Sun project has given her renewed momentum after years of remaining a dominant force in European pop while building a slower-burning presence in the American market.
Speaking more broadly about where she is in her career, Larsson reflected on the personal growth that has accompanied her professional evolution. "Now, as I'm older I really practice to be present and to be in the moment," she said during the interview portion of the appearance. "I really do feel like I really take it all in and I feel really grateful and happy for everything that's happening."
On the performance side, Larsson delivered a lively set that included several tracks from her new material, including "Midnight Sun," "Pretty Ugly," and "Stateside." One highlight that was likely to circulate widely on social media came when she pulled Today co-host Sheinelle Jones onstage to participate in the choreography from "Lush Life," a fan-favorite that dates back nearly a decade. The spontaneous, joyful moment exemplified the kind of warmth and crowd engagement that has long been a hallmark of Larsson's live performances.
She is set to perform at a string of high-profile summer festivals, including BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend and Lollapalooza in Chicago.
