Tom Basden gets candid: Why writing ‘mortifying’ songs for Carey Mulligan still haunts him

The joke that turned personal

Tom Basden admits he still winces over writing love songs directly for Carey Mulligan’s character in The Ballad of Wallis Island. As the film’s songwriter, he crafted intimate lyrics meant to feel genuine, and he immediately felt exposed.

He recalled sending the tracks over email and refreshing his inbox nervously, worrying his fictional serenade would come off as creepy. He called the experience “mortifying,” blending embarrassment and thrill in equal measure.

Crafting songs for a character, not a star

The challenge was clear: write music that feels heartfelt without breaking character. Basden said he felt like he was writing for the persona, not the actress behind it. That distinction mattered, yet still spooked him.

Each song needed to reflect the emotional arc of fictional lovers, which raised the stakes. Basden’s long collaboration with Tim Key helped ease the pressure, but nothing could fully blunt the nerves of that creative moment.

Refreshing your inbox is the worst

One anecdote he shared: after emailing songs to Tim Key, Tom spent hours refreshing his inbox, waiting for feedback from Carey Mulligan. The delay amplified his anxiety.

He worried she’d react negatively, maybe think the songs were too intimate or inappropriate. When she finally replied, she reassured him with praise. But the emotional roller‑coaster made him call the whole process “mortifying,” bittersweet praise he’ll likely never forget.

Songs that echo the characters, not reality

Basden emphasized the goal: musical storytelling driven by character, not actor. Every lyric had to reflect fictional Herb and Nell’s past chemistry, never Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan personally.

That distinction allowed the music to feel earnest but drama‑appropriate. Yet, even knowing he stayed in character, he admitted the emotional weight lingered. Writing heartfelt fictional music made him question boundaries, and reminded him how creative work can come close.

When writing feels like oversharing

Tom Basden admits the line between art and awkwardness blurred while writing lyrics for Carey Mulligan’s character. Even though the songs were fiction, they revealed emotional truths he wasn’t sure he wanted out there.

He said it felt like “accidentally sending a love letter” to someone he admired professionally. The vulnerability caught him off guard, especially since the project was meant to be a lighthearted comedy.

Mulligan’s reaction meant everything

After days of anxiety, Basden finally received Carey Mulligan’s response to the songs, and it was warm and gracious. She praised his writing and expressed excitement about performing the pieces.

Still, Basden says he couldn’t fully shake the awkwardness. “Even when people are nice, you don’t forget how exposed you felt,” he explained. The experience taught him that comedy, when personal, can feel riskier than drama.

The curse of writing for friends

One of Basden’s biggest takeaways? Writing for people you know is harder than writing for strangers. He and Mulligan were acquaintances, which made the situation even more layered.

He compared it to making eye contact during a karaoke performance, fun in theory, terrifying in practice. That mix of familiarity and formality created a tension he hadn’t expected going into the project.

The music had to sound real

Basden approached the songwriting as seriously as if it were for a traditional drama. He wanted the songs to have emotional weight and authenticity, even though they were nestled inside a surreal comedy.

That meant embracing sincerity while being aware of the absurdity. It was a balancing act: songs that could make people laugh, but also feel something. That delicate tone is what made the experience so creatively intense.

Why fake love songs feel too real

Even though the romance in The Ballad of Wallis Island is fictional, Basden said it’s amazing how deeply music can blur the lines.

Writing a love song, even in character, taps into very real emotions. And when those emotions are sung aloud by someone as expressive as Mulligan, it’s hard not to feel exposed, like a secret slipped out by accident. That discomfort lingered long after filming wrapped.

Tim key helped soften the blow

Basden credited co-star and frequent collaborator Tim Key with helping him stay grounded. The two have worked on several comedic projects together, and that creative trust made the process less isolating.

Key reassured him that the songs were strong and funny. That outside validation helped Basden see the project through with more confidence, even if the nerves about Mulligan’s reaction didn’t fade right away.

Comedy’s emotional boomerang

Basden reflected on how comedy writing often circles back in unexpected emotional ways. You think you’re being silly, then suddenly, it feels incredibly personal.

That’s what happened with the songs. What started as a comedic writing exercise became something he was deeply anxious about sharing. “It’s the comedy boomerang,” he joked, “it hits you in the feelings when you least expect it.

mortifying, but worth it

Despite the awkwardness, Basden says he doesn’t regret writing the songs. The emotional risk paid off in performances that felt grounded and funny at once.

He believes comedy should involve risk, even if that means blushing at your lyrics. The reward, he said, is in watching a brilliant performer like Carey Mulligan take your words and give them new, unexpected life on screen.

A soundtrack of unease and charm

The original songs in The Ballad of Wallis Island strike a balance between earnestness and cringeworthy, capturing exactly what Basden intended.

Their awkward charm helps define the tone of the show, humorous but emotionally vulnerable. That combination is why the series resonated with viewers and why Basden’s songwriting, despite his discomfort, was so central to the show’s impact.

Viewers felt the awkwardness too

Audiences picked up on the same tension Basden felt. Viewers said the songs were funny, but also strangely touching, and more intimate than expected.

That unexpected emotional core is part of what made the show stand out. Basden’s songs helped elevate the comedy into something more layered, even if they gave him secondhand embarrassment watching them back.

Turning cringe into connection

In hindsight, Basden believes that what made the songs work was their emotional honesty, even when it felt cringeworthy.

Comedy that dares to be uncomfortable, he says, often opens the door to deeper connection. By leaning into that discomfort, he created something unique and oddly beautiful. It’s the kind of creative tension that stays with you, long after the laugh.

And while Basden found beauty in creative discomfort, another artist is embracing bold honesty on a national stage. Sheryl Crow calls Trump immoral in a bold new track.

Haunted, but creatively satisfied”

Tom Basden says the experience still haunts him, but in the best way. The nerves, the awkwardness, the inbox refreshes, it all led to something he’s proud of.

He may never forget how exposed he felt writing those songs, but he’s grateful he took the leap. “Sometimes,” he said, “you have to embarrass yourself a little to get it right.”

And while Basden leaned into vulnerability for art, another public figure is facing exposure of a very different kind. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ guilty verdict in viral case shocks fans and industry alike.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.