This Head I Hold

"This Head I Hold" is the first single off of the debut album, Mondo, by Electric Guest. It was one of the best-selling singles in France of 2012.

"This Head I Hold"
Single by Electric Guest
from the album Mondo
ReleasedJanuary 4, 2012 (2012-01-04)
Length2:56
LabelDowntown Records
Songwriter(s)Rory Uphold, Asa Taccone, Matthew Compton, Danger Mouse
Producer(s)Danger Mouse

Lyrics and composition

Taccone said the song was conceived as a "constant reminder that you don’t have to follow in the steps of whatever kind of culture you’re a part of or whatever your society says you should or shouldn’t do."[1] It was the first song Taccone wrote for the album, and they almost did not include it.[2] Taccone presented the demo to his friend, Brian Burton, with plans to give the song to a woman.[3] Burton, however, insisted that it was too good to give away.[3] The vocals (reportedly recorded on a "Dictaphone") and the drums were both done in one take.[2]

Music video

On January 4, 2012, the band released a promotional video featuring the band playing the song live on stage.[4] In advance of the album's release, they released a second video built around the narrative of a talent competition and a desert expedition.[4] It was directed by Keith Schofield.[5]

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak
position
French Albums (SNEP)[6] 37
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[7] 30

Reception

Entertainment Weekly called it "all winking falsetto and retro swagger" that made "'hammock funk...the best new micro genre of the season."[8] The Canberra Times said the song "seems to have been designed specifically to get you on your feet."[9] The Sun found it to be a "breezy track...melding soulful vocals with lo-fi production."[10]

Appearances in the media

"This Head I Hold" was used in IKEA's 2014 'Every Meal is a Special Occasion' ad.[11] The song was also used in the 2014 film Annie.

gollark: Solar, I'm on my phone and do you have Python.py installed?
gollark: Yes.
gollark: Also, you can "copy text".
gollark: I have a script for that.
gollark: Rudolph.

References
  1. Gotch, Kristin (May 7, 2012), "An Interview with Electric Guest". PopMatters. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  2. SWIFT, JACQUI (April 19, 2013), "WELCOME GUEST". The Sun :55
  3. Rolling Stone staff (April 11, 2012), "Danger Mouse Reveals Why He Produced Electric Guest's Debut Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  4. Isenberg, Daniel (April 23, 2012), 'Video: Electric Guest "This Head I Hold (Version 2)'". Complex.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  5. IFEANYI, KC (April 26, 2012), "Keith Schofield Leads Us On A Journey Of Self-Discovery And Dancing In Electric Guest's New Video". Fast Cocreate. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  6. "Electric Guest - Music Charts". SNEP. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  7. "Electric Guest - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  8. EW Staff (Mary 10, 2012), "EW's Spring Playlist: Nicki Minaj, Marina and the Diamonds, Schoolboy Q and more -- stream it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  9. Lane, Jessica (04/12/2012), "fly". The Canberra Times. The Canberra Times.
  10. Cosyns, Poppy (May 31, 2013), "HOT TRACKS". The Sun. :62
  11. MCCARTHY, JOHN (4 NOVEMBER 2014), "UK Top Shazamed Ads: Ikea retains the top spot with ‘This Head I Hold’ by Electric Guest". TheDrum.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
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