What the Hell is Going On?

We're unveiling a new Song of the Day feature here at soldout and I drew the short straw, so I'm presenting Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek."

After first hearing this song a few years ago - during a harsh, frigid, breakup-addled Boston winter, no less - I find myself revisiting it periodically, most recently this weekend. (And no, I'm not talking about this horrible bastardization of it that's taken over the airwaves.)

The (vastly superior) original, a cappella version is so ... simple. And yet heartbreaking. It's vulnerable, and biting at the same time. The swirling, layered vocals mirror the kind of locked-in-a-dark-room, "this can't be happening," mental disorientation we've all felt at some point.

And how about this claws-bared kiss-off near the end?

"Hmm, what'd you say? Oh, that you only meant well? Well, course you did.

Hmm, what'd you say? That it's all for the best? Of course it is.

Hmm, what'd you say? Mm, that it's just what we need? You decided this."

AKA ... Don't let the door hit you.

Pure genius.

On a side note? Since this is my first post for soldout, I kind of feel like that dark, weird person in your workplace/class/dorm/other group setting who uses the icebreaker activity to make a veiled reference to being a cutter, experiencing shock therapy, or some other disturbing activity. But I'm not, I swear! I promise to make my next pick more cheery!

Until then ... enjoy melting into a puddle.

Comments

[Libbie]

I've immediately bookmarked this blog in my "awesome stuff" folder. Great first post, Liz, but before this I had never heard the bastardization of the song. Curious as I am, of course I clicked the link and am now experiencing dismay and outrage I might have otherwise avoided. But finding this blog makes it all worth it. Thanks for feeding my ear candy obsession. I look forward to many, many more visits. Perhaps your next song of the day could somehow tie into Brandi Carlile...or something off of Sainthood? I think "The Ocean" deserves a fair analysis. Just sayin... ; )