Her work includes Aldous Harding from 2014, Party from 2017, Designer from 2019, and her most recent album Warm Chris from 2022.
Designer
Aldous Harding Lyrics
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With that visionary shimmer?
A strange thing to roll out a spell
À la mode
Tears water the flowers of need
And you bend my day at the knee
Sit down, we'll frame the far side
I give up on your beauty
Shady as the day you were born
I'm leaving you alone with it
We're going sailing
Designer
That visionary shimmer
Do not lose your young eyes
Laughing at good work with your ugly son
Give up your beauty
Oh, holy bosses leave me here
I'm diving off that memory
Stop pinning up your lives like wives
Give me your finger
À la mode
Designer
We were à la mode
The song Designer by Aldous Harding talks about someone's perspective on a relationship that has ended, and how they have given up on trying to understand or change their partner. The first verse, "Whatever was your angle, with that visionary shimmer?", implies that the person was initially drawn to their partner's charisma and charm but has now come to realize that it was only a spell, 'à la mode', or in fashion, and that the relationship had no depth. The phrase "tears water the flowers of need" metaphorically conveys how one's needs can only be fulfilled through the pain and heartbreak that comes with it.
The chorus "I give up on your beauty, shady as the day you were born, I'm leaving you alone with it, we're going sailing designer" reflects how the person has grown tired of their partner's superficial beauty, and they are leaving them to revel in it alone. The reference to 'going sailing designer' alludes to how they are letting go of the relationship and moving on to better things.
The second verse talks about the illusions of beauty and how important it is to keep our youthful perspective. The line "laughing at good work with your ugly son" suggests that the person's partner is more interested in appearances than truly appreciating art or craftsmanship. The final line "We were à la mode" is a reflection of how the relationship was trendy at one point, but now has lost its charm.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever was your angle
What was your intention?
With that visionary shimmer?
With that dreamlike quality?
A strange thing to roll out a spell
An unusual thing to conjure up magic
À la mode
In style
Tears water the flowers of need
Emotions nurture desires
And you bend my day at the knee
You influence my day greatly
Sit down, we'll frame the far side
Relax, we'll look at the distant view
Shapes live forever, designer
Designs are eternal
I give up on your beauty
I am exhausted by your attractiveness
Shady as the day you were born
Distrustful since your birth
I'm leaving you alone with it
I am leaving you to deal with it on your own
We're going sailing
We're heading out to sea
That visionary shimmer
That unreal glimmer
Do not lose your young eyes
Do not lose your fresh perspective
Laughing at good work with your ugly son
Appreciate valuable effort together
Give up your beauty
Surrender your physical appeal
Oh, holy bosses leave me here
Respected superiors abandon me in this place
I'm diving off that memory
I am retrieving that past experience
Stop pinning up your lives like wives
Stop controlling your lives like wives
Give me your finger
Give me your support
À la mode
In style
Designer
Creator of design
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Hannah Sian Topp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
R Davila
Whatever was your angle
With that visionary shimmer?
A strange thing to roll out a spell
À la mode
Tears water the flowers of need
And you bend my day at the knee
Sit down, we'll frame the far side
Shapes live forever, designer
I give up on your beauty
Shady as the day you were born
I'm leaving you alone with it
We're going sailing
Designer
That visionary shimmer
Do not lose your young eyes
Laughing at good work with your ugly son
Give up your beauty
Oh, holy bosses leave me here
I'm diving off that memory
Stop pinning up your lives like wives
Give me your finger
À la mode
Designer
We were à la mode
arkid77
Such a great recording, I can't believe so few have apparently watched it after being online 6 months!
Deedee Whipple
Been watching as much of her stuff as I can find. This only just popped up today!
marquee_moon
A true artist right here
yummyjackalmeat
saw her open for deerhunter a couple years ago, she's got great stage presence.
86 Soup
Nice combo, must of been a good show
T E
I bet.
Mark Smith
In the outro where she sings "We were ala mode" and the place she goes afterwards conveys a lot of emotion. My favorite part of the song / performance.
R Davila
Whatever was your angle
With that visionary shimmer?
A strange thing to roll out a spell
À la mode
Tears water the flowers of need
And you bend my day at the knee
Sit down, we'll frame the far side
Shapes live forever, designer
I give up on your beauty
Shady as the day you were born
I'm leaving you alone with it
We're going sailing
Designer
That visionary shimmer
Do not lose your young eyes
Laughing at good work with your ugly son
Give up your beauty
Oh, holy bosses leave me here
I'm diving off that memory
Stop pinning up your lives like wives
Give me your finger
À la mode
Designer
We were à la mode
Lisa Colbert
Much appreciated .
_M_ _G_
Aldous always puts me in a good mood, but that sounds very profane - she is a true artist!