Vibrate

Album: Want One (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • We were still a few years away from the iPhone, but cell phones were commonplace in 2003 - you might even have an old Motorola Razr or BlackBerry Pearl stowed in your basement. In this song, Rufus Wainwright has his cell on vibrate, anxiously awaiting a call that doesn't come, thus "I never ever feel from you."

    In a Songfacts interview with Wainwright, he told the story behind the song. "'Vibrate' was about a guy that I saw very briefly, although it was very intense for a couple of weeks," he said. "I was really in the clutches of addiction - it was probably my highest moment in that realm where time is losing any meaning whatsoever and my consciousness was completely altered at all times.

    Anyway, I fell in love with this stripper boy who was very gorgeous and very unavailable, and I think was also somewhat taking advantage of my 'vulnerable state.' [Laughs] Thankfully, I got a good song out of it."
  • Running 2:43, this is one of the most enduring songs on Wainwright's third album, Want One, which he recorded after a stint in rehab to kick an addiction to crystal meth. The album is very personal and introspective; his next one, Want Two, is more focused on the world around him.
  • In the spirit of "Hey Nineteen" by Steely Dan, Wainwright sings about a disconnect from the current trends his potential lover enjoys. He "tried to dance Britney Spears," but couldn't get into it. He's also perplexed by electroclash, which was a strain of techno music popular in 2003.
  • In 2014, Wainwright copped the title for his compilation album Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright.
  • Many people used this song as their ringtone, specifically the line, "My phone's on vibrate for you."
  • Marius de Vries produced this song and played the piano. Like Wainwright, he loves grand, modern musicals; de Vries worked on both Moulin Rouge! and La La Land.
  • The heavenly voices that come in at the end of the song belong to the Choir Of The London Oratory.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

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

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.