This Head I Hold

"This Head I Hold"
"This Head I Hold"
Single by Electric Guest
from the album Mondo
Released	January 4, 2012
Recorded	2006
Length	2:56
Label	Downtown Records
Songwriter(s)	Rory Uphold; Asa Taccone; Matthew Compton; Brian Burton;
Producer(s)	Danger Mouse

"This Head I Hold" is the first single from Electric Guest's debut album Mondo. It was one of the best-selling singles in France of 2012.

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."^[1] Taccone presented the demo to his friend, Brian Burton, with plans to give the song to a woman.^[2] Burton, however, insisted that it was too good to give away.^[2]

Music video

On January 4, 2012, the band released a promotional video featuring the band playing the song live on stage.^[3] In advance of the album's release, they released a second video built around the narrative of a talent competition and a desert expedition.^[3] It was directed by Keith Schofield.^[4]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012)	Peak position
France (SNEP)^[5]	37
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[6]	30

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
France (SNEP)^[7]	193

Reception

Entertainment Weekly called it "all winking falsetto and retro swagger" that made "'hammock funk...the best new micro genre of the season."^[8] The Canberra Times said the song "seems to have been designed specifically to get you on your feet."^[9]

Appearances in the media

"This Head I Hold" was used in IKEA's 2014 'Every Meal is a Special Occasion' ad.^[10] The song was also used in the 2014 film Annie.

References

^ Gotch, Kristin (May 7, 2012), "An Interview with Electric Guest". PopMatters. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Rolling Stone staff (April 11, 2012), "Danger Mouse Reveals Why He Produced Electric Guest's Debut Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Isenberg, Daniel (April 23, 2012), 'Video: Electric Guest "This Head I Hold (Version 2)'". Complex.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ IFEANYI, KC (April 26, 2012), "Keith Schofield Leads Us On A Journey Of Self-Discovery And Dancing In Electric Guest's New Video". Fast Cocreate. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ "Electric Guest - Music Charts". SNEP. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
^ "Electric Guest - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
^ EW Staff (May 10, 2012), "EW's Spring Playlist: Nicki Minaj, Marina and the Diamonds, Schoolboy Q and more -- stream it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
^ Lane, Jessica (04/12/2012), "fly". The Canberra Times. The Canberra Times.
^ MCCARTHY, JOHN (4 NOVEMBER 2014), "UK Top Shazamed Ads: Ikea retains the top spot with ‘This Head I Hold’ by Electric Guest". TheDrum.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[gotch-1] Gotch, Kristin (May 7, 2012), "An Interview with Electric Guest". PopMatters. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[debut-2] Rolling Stone staff (April 11, 2012), "Danger Mouse Reveals Why He Produced Electric Guest's Debut Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 25, 2016.

[isenberg-3] Isenberg, Daniel (April 23, 2012), 'Video: Electric Guest "This Head I Hold (Version 2)'". Complex.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[ifeanyi-4] IFEANYI, KC (April 26, 2012), "Keith Schofield Leads Us On A Journey Of Self-Discovery And Dancing In Electric Guest's New Video". Fast Cocreate. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[5] "Electric Guest - Music Charts". SNEP. Retrieved March 16, 2016.

[6] "Electric Guest - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2016.

[7] "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 26, 2020.

[8] EW Staff (May 10, 2012), "EW's Spring Playlist: Nicki Minaj, Marina and the Diamonds, Schoolboy Q and more -- stream it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 22, 2016.

[9] Lane, Jessica (04/12/2012), "fly". The Canberra Times. The Canberra Times.

[mccarthy-10] MCCARTHY, JOHN (4 NOVEMBER 2014), "UK Top Shazamed Ads: Ikea retains the top spot with ‘This Head I Hold’ by Electric Guest". TheDrum.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

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