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

Reception

Entertainment Weekly called it "all winking falsetto and retro swagger" that made "'hammock funk...the best new micro genre of the season."[9] The Canberra Times said the song "seems to have been designed specifically to get you on your feet."[10] The Sun found it to be a "breezy track...melding soulful vocals with lo-fi production."[11]

Appearances in the media

"This Head I Hold" was used in IKEA's 2014 'Every Meal is a Special Occasion' ad.[12] The song was also used in the 2014 film Annie.

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. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  9. 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.
  10. Lane, Jessica (04/12/2012), "fly". The Canberra Times. The Canberra Times.
  11. Cosyns, Poppy (May 31, 2013), "HOT TRACKS". The Sun. :62
  12. 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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