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Quicksand (La Roux song)

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"Quicksand"
Song

"Quicksand" is a song by the English electropop duo La Roux from their self-titled debut album, La Roux. Written and produced by Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, the song was released as the album's lead single on 15 December 2008 by Kitsuné Music.[1] It peaked at number 153 on the UK Singles Chart upon limited release.[2] When re-released on 23 November 2009, the single re-entered the chart at number 129.

Song information

Jackson told thelondonpaper that the song is about "having an intense moment with someone, when maybe you're watching a film or listening to music, and both of you are yearning for the other one, and it's almost painful to sit next to them."[3]

Critical reception

"Quicksand" was met with positive critical acclaim. Digital Spy music editor Nick Levine wrote that "[l]ike most of the songs on their debut album, it's a winning combination of pop smarts, stifling romantic obsession and production that mixes the sounds of '82 with the sonic punch of '09."[4] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commented that "the sparse dynamics and stabbing synthesisers of 'Quicksand' offer a reminder that not every aspect of the 80s has been mined to exhaustion in recent years."[5] Calling the song "superb", Peter Paphides of The Times stated: "Propelled along by a melody that shares some of its DNA with Prince's 'When Doves Cry', Jackson casts herself as the recipient of an overture from someone already in a relationship."[6] John Murphy, writing for musicOMH, described the song as "instantly addictive and catchy", while stating that "unlike a lot of electro acts out there, 'Quicksand' has real heart and emotion to it as well – certainly not a case of style over substance."[1] Allmusic's Heather Phares noted that the track "uses a relentlessly tight arrangement and Jackson's frosty soulfulness to give the song's obsession a shot of excitement."[7] Luke Turner from the NME referred to "Quicksand" as "liquid-mercury-smooth but pierced by sharp vocals."[8]

Music video

The music video of "Quicksand" was directed by Kinga Burza.[9] It was released on YouTube on 13 January 2009. The video shows Jackson on a tropical island with pineapples and the sun setting. Girls are dancing. Jackson is seen with a parrot on her shoulder, singing. It mostly features Jackson singing with the sun setting behind her.

Track listings

Original release

French 12" single
A1. "Quicksand" (Original) – 3:07
A2. "Quicksand" (autoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:44
B1. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:20
B2. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:34
French iTunes EP
  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (AutoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:42
  3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:18
  4. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:32
  5. "Quicksand" (Joe and Will Ask? Remix) – 5:01
U.S. EP and iTunes EP
  1. "Quicksand" (Original Version) – 3:06
  2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:07
  3. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:02
U.S. 12" single
A1. "Quicksand" – 3:08
A2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Mix No. 1) – 5:10
A3. "Quicksand" (Instrumental) – 3:08
B1. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:04
B2. "In for the Kill" (Instrumental) – 4:08
UK iTunes single
  1. "Quicksand" (Standard Version) – 3:05

Re-release

UK CD single
  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
  3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:19
UK limited edition 7" single
A. "Quicksand" - 3:07
UK iTunes EP
  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
  3. "Quicksand" (Alex Metric Remix) – 6:26
  4. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:12

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Belgian Tip Chart (Flanders)[10] 19
UK Singles Chart[11] 129

Release history

Country Date Label Format
Original release
France 15 December 2008 (2008-12-15) Kitsuné Music Digital EP[12]
26 December 2008 (2008-12-26) 12" single
United States 14 April 2009 (2009-04-14) Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records EP,[13] digital EP[14]
9 June 2009 (2009-06-09) 12" single[15]
United Kingdom 2 July 2009 (2009-07-02) Polydor Records Digital single[16]
Re-release
United Kingdom 22 November 2009 (2009-11-22) Polydor Records Digital EP[17]
23 November 2009 (2009-11-23) CD single,[18] 7" single[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Murphy, John. "La Roux – Quicksand (Kitsune)". musicOMH. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  2. ^ Balls, David (10 September 2009). "La Roux 'won't re-release Quicksand single'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  3. ^ "Quicksand by La Roux Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  4. ^ Levine, Nick (23 November 2009). "La Roux: 'Quicksand'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  5. ^ Petrides, Alexis (26 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. ^ Paphides, Peter (25 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  7. ^ Phares, Heather. "La Roux – La Roux – Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 17 May 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  8. ^ Turner, Luke (23 June 2009). "Album Review: La Roux – 'La Roux'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  9. ^ Knight, David (3 December 2008). "La Roux's Quicksand by Kinga Burza". Promo News. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  10. ^ "La Roux – Quicksand". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 January 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ "Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2009". The Official Charts Company. Zobbel.de. Retrieved 11 March 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  12. ^ "Kitsuné: Quicksand – EP de La Roux". iTunes Store France (in French). Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  13. ^ "La Roux : Releases : Quicksand EP". Interscope Records. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  14. ^ "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store U.S. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  15. ^ "Quicksand/In for the Kill [Vinyl]: La Roux". Amazon.com. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  16. ^ "Quicksand (Standard Version) – Single by La Roux". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  17. ^ "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ "Quicksand: La Roux". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  19. ^ "La Roux – Quicksand (7", Ltd, S/Sided, Etch)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
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