Length 2:56 Producer(s) Danger Mouse | Label Downtown Records | |
Released January 4, 2012 (2012-01-04) | ||
"This Head I Hold" is the first single off of the debut album, Mondo, by Electric Guest. It was one of the best-selling single in France of 2012.
Contents
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." It was the first song Taccone wrote for the album, and they almost did not include it. Taccone presented the demo to his friend, Brian Burton, with plans to give the song to a woman. Burton, however, insisted that it was too good to give away. The vocals (reportedly recorded on a "Dictaphone") and the drums were both done in one take.
Music video
On January 4, 2012, the band released a promotional video featuring the band playing the song live on stage. In advance of the album's release, they released a second video built around the narrative of a talent competition and a desert expedition. It was directed by Keith Schofield.
Reception
Entertainment Weekly called it "all winking falsetto and retro swagger" that made "'hammock funk...the best new micro genre of the season." The Canberra Times said the song "seems to have been designed specifically to get you on your feet." The Sun found it to be a "breezy track...melding soulful vocals with lo-fi production."
Appearances in the media
"This Head I Hold" was used in IKEA's 2014 'Every Meal is a Special Occasion' ad.