Désolé
"Désolé" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz featuring Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara. The track was released on 27 February 2020 as the second single for Gorillaz' Song Machine project, which involves the ongoing release of various Gorillaz tracks featuring previously unannounced guest musicians over the course of 2020.[3]
"Désolé" | ||||
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Single by Gorillaz featuring Fatoumata Diawara | ||||
from the album Song Machine (Season One) | ||||
Language | ||||
Released | 27 February 2020 | |||
Genre | Bossa nova[2] | |||
Length | 3:56 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Gorillaz singles chronology | ||||
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Fatoumata Diawara singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Désolé" on YouTube |
Music video
The video, directed by Jamie Hewlett, was filmed at Lake Como in Italy and mainly features band members 2-D, Noodle and Russel Hobbs boating with Diawara and Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn after having been transported to the lake via a portal inside Kong Studios, the band's fictional headquarters.[4] Throughout the video, virtual bassist Murdoc Niccals can be seen inside Kong Studios, attempting and failing to cross the portal.[5]
Release
In a press release, fictional band member Russel said of the song's recording: "Making Désolé with Fatou was a real moment for me, you know. She's an African Queen. This lady made the song what it is, beautiful, like life. What can I say about 'Désolé'? They say sorry is the hardest word, but that's not true... Try saying antidisestablishmentarianism with a mouth full of gluten-free cronuts on a speed boat without licking your lips."[5]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
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1. | "Machine Bitez #4" (with 2D and Murdoc) | 0:35 | |
2. | "Désolé" (featuring Fatoumata Diawara) | Albarn, Fatoumata Diawara, James Ford, Kabaka Jr. | 3:57 |
3. | "Machine Bitez #5" (with 2D and Fatoumata Diawara) | 0:46 | |
Total length: | 5:18 |
Personnel
Gorillaz
- Damon Albarn – vocals, instrumentation, songwriting, director
- Jamie Hewlett – artwork, character design, video direction
- Remi Kabaka Jr – drum programming, percussion, songwriting, live drums
Additional musicians & personnel
- Adrien Libmann – engineer
- Alice Pratley – violin
- Andrea Fognini – engineer
- Augustin Ledieu – backing vocals
- Ciara Ismail – violin
- Davide Lasala – engineer
- Davide Rossi – strings, string arranger
- Emmanuel Laniece – backing vocals
- Fatoumata Diawara – featured vocals, songwriting
- Isabelle Dunn – cello
- James Ford – keyboards, percussion, balafon percussion, co-producer
- John Davis – mastering
- Neima Naouri – backing vocals
- Nicola Hicks – viola
- Nora Fedrigo – electronics
- Samuel Egglenton – engineer
- Stephen Sedgwick – engineer mixer
- Sylvain Bellegarde – background vocals
- Sylvain Mercier – engineer
- Sébastien Blanchon – horn
- Vanina de Franco – backing vocals
- Zither – drums
Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[6] | 34 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[7] | 16 |
References
- Leas, Ryan (27 February 2020). "Gorillaz – "Désolé" (Feat. Fatoumata Diawara)". Stereogum. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
[T]he song is sung in three languages altogether — English, French, and Bambara.
- Kaufman, Gil (27 February 2020). "Gorillaz Get Mellow With Fatoumata Diawara on 'Désolé': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- Blistein, Jon (29 January 2020). "Gorillaz Detail New Music, Video Series 'Song Machine'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- Tan, Emily (27 February 2020). "Gorillaz Drop Latest Song Machine Episode". Spin. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- Blistein, Jon (27 February 2020). "Gorillaz Team With Malian Star Fatoumata Diawara for New Song 'Désolé'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- "Ultratop.be – Gorillaz feat. Fatoumata Diawara – Désolé" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- "Gorillaz Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 March 2020.