Love Letters

Album: Love Letters (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Metronomy frontman Joe Mount told NME the inspiration for this 1970s inspired track: "There is this French musical, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, and I was imagining how French people from the '60s might dance to its songs when I came up with this," he explained. "The piano sound is inspired by the Beach Boys' 'Wild Honey.'"
  • This served as the title track of Metronomy's fourth studio album, which was recorded at the all-analog Toe Rag Studios, the same place where the White Stripes laid down Elephant in 2003. Mount told NME that thematically the record is about travel, both in the literal sense (he lives in Paris, but still records in London) and the mental sense ("It's about not being in any place in particular").
  • The song's music video was filmed by Michel Gondry, the Oscar-winning director of Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. Gondry has previously directed classic music clips for a range of artists including Bjork, Radiohead, Kylie Minogue, The White Stripes and Daft Punk. However, this was the French auteur's first music clip since Bjork's "Crystalline" in 2011.

    Gondry told NME: "I was told to do (that video)! But then I asked my friends and they all said, 'It's a cool band.' I'd like this song, but I didn't know them. I'm ignorant. I like to listen to funky music, to Michael Jackson. I felt this particular song was a mixture of the Stranglers for the piano and David Bowie a bit for the voice. But on hearing the other songs they made, it's not that. It's really the piano that reminds me of the Stranglers."
  • This story of an old-fashioned relationship by post is allegory to Mount communicating and being away from his girlfriend when he's touring. He told The Sun the song was "inspired by being away from loved ones and traveling and missing them."
  • Michel Gondry built a scale model of the set before filming the video. Mount recalled to HMV.com: "He came round to my flat to show me this model, it was really nice actually, he'd made this transportable paper model and that way of doing things I can really associate with, he has the enthusiasm of someone just starting out."

    "I like that he's achieved as much as he has but still has this enthusiasm for the idea," Mount added. "I guess, if I was to force the point, it's similar to the way I have of working, it's the idea and the way of doing it that's the most exciting part."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."