"Giddy Stratospheres" | ||||
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Single by The Long Blondes | ||||
Released | 29 November 2004 | |||
Genre | Indie rock | |||
Label | Angular Recording | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dorian Cox | |||
The Long Blondes singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
![]() 2007 re-release version | ||||
The Long Blondessingles chronology | ||||
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"Giddy Stratospheres" was a 7-inch single only release by Sheffield band the Long Blondes. It was released on 29 November 2004,on Angular Records. The single was accompanied by two B-sides,"Polly" and "Darts". The single was re-released in 2007 and was the third major label single from their debut album, Someone to Drive You Home . The single peaked at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart. Both versions were very well received by critics. [1] [2]
This section needs additional citations for verification .(October 2017) |
"Giddy Stratospheres" is a fast-tempo song, at 136 beats per minute (bpm), and in the key of B major for the verses. For the chorus, it switches to a slightly faster tempo (142 bmp) and changes to a key of E-flat major. Its style combines post-punk, indie pop and disco. The main chord pattern of the verse alternates between G sharp minor and B major triads, the chorus switching to A-flat major, F minor and C minor.
The song is in a standard verse-chorus form, with a modulating bridge before and after each chorus. The song features indie rock instrumentation, using a call-and-answer motif between the bass and guitar, described by Drowned in Sound as "the oldest trick in the book". [3]
Upon both of its releases, "Giddy Stratospheres" received positive reviews from music critics. On its initial release in 2004, Drowned in Sound were critical of its lo-fidelity recording but remarked it was "well worth pushing through the initial barrier of the recording quality to get at the song underneath." [2]
In its 2006 review of Someone to Drive You Home, The Observer gave the song a positive review, writing that "'Giddy Stratospheres' sees Jackson dispatch acid sentiments about a 'boring' love rival in an accent that could cut glass." [4] These sentiments were echoed by Fraser McAlpine from BBC Radio 1 who gave the song a 4-stars review describing "shards of guitar and shrieks so sharp they could have someone's eye out. " [5]
A review by Yahoo was mixed, saying that the song stretched Jackson's voice "to its grating limits" but praised lyricist Dorian, describe his narrative-led song writing "as compelling as anything on (Arctic Monkeys') Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not ". [6]
All lyrics written by Dorian Cox, music by The Long Blondes.
All lyrics written by Dorian Cox, music by the Long Blondes.