Strangeness & Charm

Album: Ceremonials (Deluxe Edition) (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song takes its name from the smallest types of matter in the world of quantum physics. It was inspired by a conversation about science Florence Welch had with her father, a former advertising executive who later ran an organic campsite. "It's actually the name of the two smallest particles that there are when you split the atom, so I wrote a song about it," she told NME. "I even managed to fit the word 'hydrogen' in there."

    Science does run in the family; Welch's mother is the Professor of Renaissance Studies and Academic Dean of Arts at the University of London.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.