Bated Breath

Album: Aquarius (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Tinashe singing of being unsure on whether she should give her love to a guy. He is waiting with bated breath on her deciding whether she is willing to open herself up emotionally to him.
  • When your breath is bated it means that you are waiting for the outcome of something. "Bated" is a shortened form of "abated," so the underlying implication is that your breathing is shortened under the influence of extreme suspense and tension.
  • The song's nine-minute military-inspired video was directed and financed by Tinashe. It was filmed in the Mojave Desert by fashion photographer Stephen Garnett, The singer contacted Garnett directly to work on the clip. "I don't like to sit around waiting for people to do things for me," Tinashe told W Magazine. "So when I know my label's not going to produce music videos, I'll either make them myself or I'll find people that I think are cool and reach out to them directly. I'm like, 'F--k it. I'll just do it.'"
  • The video is composed entirely of a stranded Tinashe running and crawling across the sand dunes in search of refuge. The five hour shoot pushed the singer to her limits: "You have to fix your own hair, there's no catering, and there's no bathroom, but the challenges became benefits in this case, because they made the video a whole lot grungier," she said. "I was incredibly dirty, really dragging myself through the dirt. And it wasn't like I could shower before I had to drive home."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.