Pendulum

Album: LP1 (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This somber cut finds FKA Twigs detailing a lover who doesn't take her seriously as she croons about being "so lonely trying to be yours."
  • The song title doesn't appear in the lyrics. However the production of Paul Epworth (Adele's 21, Coldplay's Ghost Stories) softly sways back and forth like a "pendulum."
  • Here's some pendulum history (from The Encyclopedia of Trivia):

    In 1656, Dutch inventor Christian Huygens, working independently, constructed the first pendulum clock. This allowed everyone from traders to farmers and military commanders to know precisely what the time was.

    Until 1670 clocks had short pendulums and were hung on the wall. Then William Clements invented the longer pendulum and the grandfather clock came into being.
  • The song's music video was directed by FKA Twigs herself. The singer is a classically trained dancer, and is able to contort her body into many different positions. In this clip she is in a bondage type scenario tied up by her rope-like hair. The visual is playing on the idea of the constraints of love that Twigs is singing about.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.