Keep Your Name

Album: Dirty Projectors (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Dirty Projectors album, released on February 21, 2017 is a breakup record written in the aftermath of frontman David Longstreth's split with Amber Coffman, his former bandmate and girlfriend. This song is a melancholy, multi-part electro ballad in which Longstreth croons his sorrow and anger about the failing relationship before breaking into a rap. Uncut magazine asked the Dirty Projectors singer if his writing about his breakup was cathartic. He replied:

    "Music has been the way I have processed life and experience, and it was a natural thing to do, cathartic. It's front loaded with a shock, horror and sadness, out-and-out despair, processing that experience, and ending up, if not in a good place, then at least in a place of acceptance."
  • The song contains a sample of "Sheathed Wings" by American electronic musician Dan Deacon.
  • The black-and-white video incorporates close-up angles of David Longstreth, plus original drawings. It was co-directed by the Dirty Projectors frontman with Kanye West's creative director Elon Rutberg.

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.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.