The Selfish Giant (song)

Last updated

"The Selfish Giant"
Song by Damon Albarn featuring Natasha Khan
from the album Everyday Robots
Recorded2013
Studio 13
(West London)
Genre
Length4:47
Label Parlophone, Warner. Bros., XL
Songwriter(s) Damon Albarn & Natasha Khan
Producer(s) Damon Albarn & Richard Russell

"The Selfish Giant" is a song recorded by English recording artist and songwriter and Blur frontman & Gorillaz creator, Damon Albarn, from his debut solo studio album Everyday Robots . The track features Natasha Khan, known professionally as Bat for Lashes. The track is produced by both Albarn and Richard Russell, whom Albarn has previously worked with on Bobby Womack's comeback album The Bravest Man in the Universe and on the DRC Music album Kinshasa One Two .

Contents

Background

On 18 January 2014, the Warner Music Store was updated to include Damon Albarn's new album and its name was revealed – Everyday Robots. [1] The deluxe edition of the album came packaged with a DVD of Albarn performing a few album tracks live at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. The DVD was filmed on 3 December 2013. On the next day, the album's information was removed from the website, which made many believe it was not supposed to have leaked so soon. [2]

In a January 2014 interview with Rolling Stone , Albarn revealed that Natasha Khan will appear on the track "The Selfish Giant" as a "ghostly echo", and that Brian Eno had collaborated on the album's final track. [3]

Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes), appears as a "ghostly echo" on "The Selfish Giant" Miss Khan.jpg
Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes), appears as a "ghostly echo" on "The Selfish Giant"

Albarn said in an interview: "I wrote the songs, but Richard Russell was a fantastic editor and did a lot of the atmospheric stuff, so in a sense it's not entirely my record. It is my narrative, and my voice and my songs. I started off giving Richard a lot of songs, 60 or 60-plus – he had the editorship." [4]

Speaking of her contribution to Everyday Robots, Bat for Lashes' Natasha Khan said: "If I could go back and tell the 15-year-old me that I'd just sang with Damon for his new record, she'd probably wet her pants with excitement, I had such a massive crush on him [...]". In 2013, Khan had supported Albarn's band Blur at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland. [5]

In 2014, Albarn revealed that the inspiration for the song came from Blur's visit to the Scottish town of Dunoon in 1995 and a view he had of the Holy Loch. "It was a beautiful misty evening," he remembers. [6] "There was a single submarine in the loch – why it was there I don't know. I had a very strong image of the loch and submarines and walking down the main drag in Dunoon after the gig, going to someone's house for a party, and a song came out of it." [6]

It is the second-longest song on the entire album, behind "You and Me".

The song contains a sample of "The Selfish Giant", composed by Kenny Clayton, written by Oscar Wilde and performed by Robert Morley. [7]

Promotion

Albarn also confirmed that he will play a series of "intimate gigs" in support of the album at the Rivioli Ballroom in Crofton Park on 30 April, followed by a show at the People's Palace in Mile End on 1 May, in which he will also play songs from his bands Blur, Gorillaz & The Good, the Bad & the Queen. Both dates would come shortly after the release of the album itself. [8]

Albarn was the subject of a half-hour episode of The Culture Show broadcast on BBC Two in February 2014, which focused on his previous bands and his current work. In the programme he returned to his former homes in Leytonstone, East London, and Colchester, Essex. Speaking in the programme, he revealed that he found his first solo LP tough, saying: "I've spent so long in bands, playing to large groups of people, that doing a solo album is quite a difficult thing for me to do. That's why I put it off for so long." Speaking about being raised in London, he said: "Growing up in multi-cultural London in the 1970s played a big part of who I am." The documentary included clips of songs from his album as well, including 'Hollow Ponds', 'Hostiles' and 'Mr. Tembo'. It also featured a clip of Albarn's father, artist Keith Albarn, showcasing an interactive installation on a 1960s episode of Tomorrow's World . [9]

It was also revealed by on Damon's official Twitter account, that his live band will be called The Heavy Seas, and will feature guitarist Seye, drummer Pauli the PSM, guitarist Jeff Wootton and Mike Smith on keyboards. [10]

Although the record will be released under his name, he said he wanted himself and his backing band to be known as The Heavy Seas. The band's first performance was at the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. "This is our first ever gig and it's quite nerve-wracking to be not only playing your first gig but playing it live on radio as well," he told the crowd at the venue and the audience of 6 Music listeners. "But I suppose I should be used to it after all these years." [11] The gig also saw the first exclusive plays of songs such as "The Selfish Giant" and "Mr. Tembo", Albarn also played Tomorrow Comes Today from Gorillaz eponymous debut album and The Good, the Bad & the Queen single "Kingdom of Doom" as well as "El Mañana" from Demon Days and the Blur B-Side "All Your Life". "The Selfish Giant", itself was particularly well received, and many people praised Khan's vocals that ebbed through in the live performance. [12]

Critical reception

In his track-by-track review, Matthew Horton of NME said: ""Celebrate the passing drugs/Put 'em on the backseat while they're coursing through your blood" – yes, 'The Selfish Giant' is about a nuclear submarine. Well, that's hard to get a grip on ("Waiting for the final call that's coming down the line," maybe?), but what 'The Selfish Giant' really sounds like is a refined goodbye over dub bass and piping organ, drifting into a chorus that's devastating in its ordinary heartbreak: "I had a dream you were leaving/It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on/And nothing's in your eyes". The sort of thing you hope isn't autobiographical." [13]

Dan Cains of The Sunday Times wrote: Featuring the treated voice of Bat for Lashes’ Natasha Khan on its chorus and opening with Albarn essaying a serpentine jazz motif on the piano, this track contains the album's deadliest lyric (“It’s hard to be a lover when the TV’s on and nothing’s in your eyes”), which Albarn fought to have edited out, being later over-ruled by Russell. “I’d be like ‘I can’t be singing this, Richard. I can’t deal with the responsibility of that line.” And he went, ‘No, no, no, that’s one of the best things you’ve written.’ My missus (the artist Suzi Winstanley) was always like, 'I don't like that line." I'm not surprised. I don't like it either. It's just not cool." Beneath the lyric, sonorous piano chords plod; above it, an eerie, bird-like clarinet screeches before dropping like a stone. [14]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorillaz</span> British virtual band

Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, from London. The band primarily consists of four fictional members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs (drums). Their universe is presented in media such as music videos, interviews, comic strips and short cartoons. Gorillaz's music has featured collaborations with a wide range of featured artists, with Albarn as the only permanent musical contributor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Albarn</span> British musician (born 1968)

Damon Albarn is an English singer, musician, songwriter and record producer from Whitechapel, London. He is the frontman and main lyricist of the rock band Blur and the co-creator and primary musical contributor of the virtual band Gorillaz.

<i>Think Tank</i> (Blur album) 2003 studio album by Blur

Think Tank is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Blur, released on 5 May 2003. Continuing the jam-based studio constructions of the group's previous album, 13 (1999), the album expanded on the use of sampled rhythm loops and brooding, heavy electronic sounds. There are also heavy influences from dance music, hip hop, dub, jazz, and African music, an indication of songwriter Damon Albarn's expanding musical interests.

<i>Democrazy</i> 2003 EP by Damon Albarn

Democrazy is a 2003 vinyl-only double EP of demos by Damon Albarn, frontman of British rock band Blur and the virtual band Gorillaz. It was released through Honest Jon's record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Tong</span> English guitarist and keyboardist

Simon Tong is an English guitarist and keyboardist who was a member of the Verve between 1996 and 1999. He has played with Damon Albarn on tour with his bands Blur and Gorillaz, and as a member of the Good, the Bad & the Queen. He ranks in BBC's "The Axe Factor" as the 40th greatest guitarist of the last 30 years.

<i>The Good, the Bad & the Queen</i> (album) Self-titled 2007 album

The Good, the Bad & the Queen is the debut studio album by the English supergroup the Good, the Bad & the Queen, comprising Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon, Simon Tong and Tony Allen, and produced by Danger Mouse. The album was released in January 2007. The album debuted at number two in the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold in the UK within days of its release despite little media recognition and airplay. In the United States, the album entered the Billboard 200 at No. 49.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bat for Lashes</span> English musician (born 1979)

Natasha Khan, known professionally as Bat for Lashes, is an English singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She has released six studio albums: Fur and Gold (2006), Two Suns (2009), The Haunted Man (2012), The Bride (2016), Lost Girls (2019), and The Dream of Delphi (2024). She has received three Mercury Prize nominations. Khan is also the vocalist for Sexwitch, a collaboration with the rock band Toy and producer Dan Carey.

Demon Strings are a British stringed instrument group. They are best known for being the in-house string section for musician Damon Albarn, having recorded and performed live for several of his projects including The Good, the Bad & the Queen, Gorillaz, Blur and Monkey: Journey to the West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Wootton</span> English musician (born 1987)

Jeffrey Wootton is an English musician, guitarist and songwriter from Manchester. He has been the lead guitarist in the Gorillaz live band since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Albarn discography</span>

The solo discography of British musician Damon Albarn consists of four collaboration albums, four soundtrack albums, three extended plays and twelve singles. Also included are releases by Albarn's various side-projects and groups such as Mali Music, The Good the Bad & the Queen, Monkey, DRC Music and Rocket Juice & the Moon. Most of Albarn's work is either released by Honest Jon's Records, Parlophone or EMI Records.

<i>Everyday Robots</i> 2014 studio album by Damon Albarn

Everyday Robots is the debut solo studio album by British musician Damon Albarn, best known as the frontman of Blur and Gorillaz. Described by Albarn as his "most personal record", the album was co-produced by Richard Russell and released on 25 April 2014. It features guest contributions from musician and producer Brian Eno, singer Natasha Khan and the Leytonstone City Mission Choir. It was nominated for the 2014 Mercury Prize for best album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Robots (song)</span> 2014 single by Damon Albarn

"Everyday Robots" is a song by Damon Albarn, from his solo debut album, Everyday Robots. It was released as a single in digital and limited edition 7" vinyl formats on 3 March 2014, via Warner Bros. Records in the US. Moreover, the album's title track was released with a non-album B-side called "Electric Fences". The song also contains samples of 1940-1950s comic performer Lord Buckley's hipsemantic rant about Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca.

"Lonely Press Play" is the second single by Damon Albarn, from his solo debut album Everyday Robots. It was released as a single in digital format on 27 February 2014. The song was made available to all who had pre-ordered Albarn's album from iTunes. The song was produced by Albarn & Richard Russell, the music video for the song was uploaded onto Albarn's official YouTube channel on the day of release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Tembo</span> 2014 single by Damon Albarn featuring The Leytonstone City Mission Choir

"Mr Tembo" is the fourth single released by English recording artist, songwriter and Blur/Gorillaz frontman, Damon Albarn, from his debut solo studio album Everyday Robots. Its release as a single was limited to the United States. The track features The Leytonstone City Mission Choir and contains a sample of "Lions", from the 1959 album Way Out Humor as written and performed by Richard Buckley. The track is produced by both Albarn and Richard Russell, whom Albarn had previously worked with on Bobby Womack's comeback album The Bravest Man in the Universe and on the DRC Music album, Kinshasa One Two.

"Photographs " is a song recorded by English recording artist and songwriter and frontman of both Blur and Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, from his debut solo studio album Everyday Robots (2014). The song was featured in a number of promotional teaser trailers for the album, featured on Albarn's official YouTube account in late 2013. The song contains a sample of late writer, Timothy Leary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollow Ponds</span> 2014 single by Damon Albarn

"Hollow Ponds" is the third single by Damon Albarn from his debut solo album, Everyday Robots. It was released as a single in digital formats on 19 April 2014, via Warner Bros. Records in the US. Hollow Ponds is the name of a lake in Leytonstone, east London, where Albarn grew up, and the song references several events from his life. The song contains a sample of a Central line train leaving Leytonstone station on the London Underground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy Seas of Love</span> 2014 single by Damon Albarn featuring Brian Eno, and The Leytonstone City Mission Choir

"Heavy Seas of Love" is the fifth single by Damon Albarn, from his solo debut album, Everyday Robots. It was released as a single in digital formats on 27 April 2014, via Warner Bros. Records in the US. The song features Brian Eno and The Leytonstone City Mission Choir.

<i>Humanz</i> 2017 studio album by Gorillaz

Humanz is the fifth studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz. It was released on 28 April 2017 in the United Kingdom by Parlophone and in the United States by Warner Bros. Records. The album was announced on the band's official Instagram page on 23 March 2017. According to a press release, it was recorded in London, Paris, New York City, Chicago, and Jamaica, and was produced by The Twilite Tone and Remi Kabaka Jr. It was the band's first studio album since 2010's The Fall, and features collaborations with Jehnny Beth, Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Vince Staples, Popcaan, D.R.A.M., Anthony Hamilton, De La Soul, Danny Brown, Kelela, Mavis Staples, Pusha T, and Benjamin Clementine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Good, the Bad & the Queen</span> British supergroup

The Good, the Bad & the Queen were an English art rock supergroup composed of singer Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, bassist Paul Simonon of the Clash, guitarist Simon Tong of the Verve, and drummer Tony Allen. They released their self-titled debut album in 2007. Their second album, Merrie Land, coproduced with Tony Visconti, was released in 2018. They disbanded in 2019, and Allen died in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll Street, Dunoon</span> Prominent street in Dunoon, Scotland

Argyll Street is the main street of the Scottish town of Dunoon, on the Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute. It runs for about 0.9 miles (1.4 km), from Pier Esplanade in the south to Bencorum Brae in the north.

References

  1. ↑ ""Everyday Robots" – 7" vinyl % HD bundle". store.damonalbarnmusic.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Young, Alex (19 January 2014). "Damon Albarn to release debut solo album Everyday Robots on April 28th". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Edwards, Gavin (20 January 2014). "Damon Albarn Solo LP 'Everyday Robots' Inspired by Elephants, Eno". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  4. ↑ name="rollingstone.com"
  5. ↑ "Throwing YOU the latest Blur, Gorillaz and Damon Albarn news". BlurBalls. 4 September 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Damon Albarn on how Dunoon inspired debut album" – The Scotsman , 26 April 2014
  7. ↑ "Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots – album info". Vblurpage.com. 28 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Damon Albarn to play intimate London gigs". NME. 12 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Damon Albarn for Culture Show special on BBC Two – Music News". Digital Spy. 13 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Damon Albarn – Lonely Press Play". Clash. 27 February 2014.
  11. ↑ Youngs, Ian (1 March 2014). "Damon Albarn unveils new songs at BBC 6 Music Festival". BBC.
  12. ↑ Young, Alex (1 March 2014). "Here's the incredible setlist for Damon Albarn's first solo performance, plus watch it in full". Consequence of Sound.
  13. ↑ "Damon Albarn, 'Everyday Robots' – First Listen". NME.
  14. ↑ Giraffic Themes (6 April 2014). "Damon Albarn interview and album track by track guide | The Sunday Times (April 6, 2014) | Damon Albarn Unofficial". Damonalbarn.tumblr.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.