Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Back of the Van

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Released
  
1 April 2008

Length
  
3:40

Genre
  
Synthpop, indie rock

Label
  
Universal/Island

Format
  
CD single, digital download

Writer(s)
  
Ladyhawke, Michael Di Francesco

"Back of the Van" is a song by singer-songwriter Ladyhawke. It was her first single, and was from her debut album Ladyhawke. It was released on 1 April 2008 as a download only single from her website and MySpace. The track was re-released on 18 May 2009 as a limited edition single. The song was written by Ladyhawke and Michael Di Francesco.

Contents

Reviews

Femalefirst gave the song a positive review and has given it a 4 out of 5 star rating using the public vote. They wrote: "The result is a refreshing blend of rock, dance and pop. As well as writing 'Back of the Van', Pip also plays the drums, guitar and synth on the track".

The BBC wrote this about the song while reviewing her debut album: "while the utterly uplifting 'Back of the Van' is a tribute to just saying how you feel. As Ladyhawke reaches nervously for her new lover's hand it's impossible not to join in her sweet, unvarnished declaration, You set me on fire".

Exclaim wrote: "Brown unites her retro influences (classic rock, '80s dance, '00s rehashing of everything in the past) to mould her own unique lovechild. 'Back of the Van' is one of the catchiest songs I've heard so far in 2008, evoking the spirit of Fleetwood Mac and spinning disco much better than that half-assed remix of "Dreams" by Deep Dish".

Music video

The video starts by looking up into space and then goes down to see Ladyhawke playing her guitar. Then everything goes blue but Ladyhawke continues to play her guitar. Then things start to move and you see an eye while Ladyhawke keeps turning back to look at something. She continues to play her guitar while the people moving are now clearly dancing around. There is what appears to be fire but turns out to be her outline. While she sings you start to see more than one of her; also a light starts to shine on her. You see shadows dancing while lights shine onto them. While Ladyhawke sings you see other people run across the screen. The video ends with Ladyhawke singing and fades into the darkness.

Track listing

Original digital download

  1. "Back of the Van" (Original) (4:01)
  2. "Back of the Van" (3:41)

CD single (re-release May '09)

  1. "Back of the Van" [Original]
  2. "Back of the Van" [A1 Bassline]
  3. "Back of the Van" [Van She Tech Remix]
  4. "Back of the Van" [WAWA Remix]
  5. "Back of the Van" [WAWA Edit]
  6. "Back of the Van" [Fred Falke Valvestate Mix]
  7. "Back of the Van" [Fred Falke Ultimate Mix]
  8. "Back of the Van" [Mock and Toof Mix]
  9. "Back of the Van" [Radio Edit]
  10. "Back of the Van" [Radio Mix]

References

Back of the Van Wikipedia
(Text) CC BY-SA