Frou Frou created an impressive brand of vocal-driven, electronic pop. After the British duo had been collaborating for years without a record deal, the group's debut, Details, was completed for American release on MCA Records in 2002.
Heap and Sigsworth first worked together on Getting Scared from Heap's 1998 solo record, I Megaphone. After completing the promotion for that splendid debut, Heap was ready to begin work on a new project and the two hooked up again as Sigsworth had privately been compiling music specifically for Heap while producing other projects. The first track, conceived by the new, more formal (but as yet unnamed) pairing, eventually turned into Flicks from Details, which is perhaps Frou Frou's most Björk-reminiscent number.
Sigsworth grew up listening to eclectic female artists like Kate Bush, and along with Heap, developed an appreciation for classical music. He has specifically worked with Björk (Homogenic, Vespertine) and Madonna (What It Feels Like For A Girl) among many other significant '90s pop and electronic artists. Far from being the kind of campy moniker one might expect from a more sugary pop outfit, the name Frou Frou was decided upon when Francophile Sigsworth noticed the phrase in a Baudelaire poem. Apparently, when uttered in French, the phrase is meant to approximate the swishing of skirts as they swirl about the legs of comely dancing women, as in a burlesque performance.
Born composers, multi-instrumentalist Heap and studio/sound/producer/musician Sigsworth are credited with many side appearances in support of other artists, especially Sigsworth, who was often used as a bit of a song-fixer. While those aren't bad jobs to have, artists of Frou Frou's caliber need to step out on their own, and while Heap worked as a solo artist for a majority of her career, Sigsworth had never been so strongly identified with any previous project. Instead of relegating the male producer/writer to a barely credited back seat, as often happens with a female-fronted team effort, Frou Frou was conceived and honestly portrayed as a true collaboration, making it significant for its marketing truthfulness if nothing else.
Details has some relatively conventional pop moments like "It's Good to Be in Love", but more experimental cuts like "Only Got One" display a more definitive quality. The true accomplishment of Frou Frou (which is in evidence on just about every track the "band" created) is their uncanny ability to infuse highly manipulated, digitally crafted music with a warmth quite rare in pop and almost unheard of in music so technologically progressive. In the studio, Frou Frou achieved unique sounding beats for Heap's luscious voice via more-than-would-be-expected acoustic and natural instruments. These actual instrumental performances were recorded first, then heavily manipulated in an editing stage, giving the duo their own process and thus, their own sound. This approach made their music lush, dynamic, and more earthy when compared to typical electronic/dance and canned pop.
In November 2017, it was announced that Heap and Sigsworth would be reuniting to tour as Frou Frou in conjunction with an Imogen Heap solo tour in 2018. The duo released a live recording of "Guitar Song" on April 19, 2019. "Guitar Song" is one of two singles not released at the time of the band's initial break-up.
Close Up
Frou Frou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like snapping out of something I didn't realize I was in,
Was I sleeping? What? How can you be so sure?
If you've never been here before?
I don't understand, it can't be that easy,
I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you,
I can't keep my hands off you,
I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you.
Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong,
Keep calm for a moment, look in my eyes,
Get back, get away 'cause this could get ugly,
If you think that I'll let you go,
You're out of your mind.
Oh my god, I'm not supposed to say this,
And I know that you're trouble but,
Is that your real name and why are you doing this?
And how did I get here?
Ok, no more questions, no worries,
It's destination unknown, so dive in,
The waters great,
Listen I'm starting to speak like you,
I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you,
You can do no wrong,
I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you.
Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong,
Keep calm for a moment, look in my eyes,
Get back, get away 'cause this could get ugly,
If you think that I'll let you go,
You're out of your mind,
You're out of your mind,
You're out of your mind.
Anata ga koe no, (Hey, your voice)
Anata sono made hashitai no, (I just wanted you to talk about it...)
Anata ga koe no,
Anata sono made hashitai no.
Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong,
Keep calm for a moment, look in my eyes,
Get back, get away 'cause this could get ugly,
If you think that I'll let you go,
You're out of your mind, get,
You're out of your mind, get,
You're out of your mind, get,
You're out of your mind.
The lyrics to Frou Frou's song Close Up suggest a sense of urgency and a feeling of being in the moment. The first verse hints at the idea of awakening from a slumber, being mindful of one's feelings, and being in a state of confusion. The singer is unsure of their emotions and keeps fluctuating between love and hate. However, they can't resist their partner and are overwhelmed by their attraction towards them.
As the song progresses, the sense of urgency intensifies, and the chorus serves as a reminder to the singer to protect themselves from someone or something that can do them harm. The lines "Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong, Keep calm for a moment, look in my eyes," indicate that the partner may not be trustworthy, and the singer needs to be cautious.
The bridge contains Japanese lyrics which translate to "Hey, your voice, I just wanted you to talk about it." This is a nod towards the idea of communication and the importance of honest and open conversations in relationships.
Overall, the song depicts a sense of vulnerability and the need to protect oneself from emotional distress. The singer is conflicted about their feelings, but they are willing to take the risk and dive into the unknown to be with their partner, even if it means surrendering their emotions to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this a feeling of something about to happen?
Am I experiencing an impending event or moment?
Like snapping out of something I didn't realize I was in,
Similar to awakening from a trance or a state of oblivion.
Was I sleeping? What? How can you be so sure?
Was I unconscious or unaware? How can you be certain?
If you've never been here before?
If you have not encountered this situation previously?
I don't understand, it can't be that easy,
I am confused. It is not that simple.
I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you,
I have mixed emotions towards you.
I can't keep my hands off you,
I am physically drawn towards you.
Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong,
Stay away from them. This situation is incorrect.
Keep calm for a moment, look in my eyes,
Take a moment and be composed. Look into my eyes.
Get back, get away 'cause this could get ugly,
Leave now, as this could become unpleasant.
If you think that I'll let you go,
If you believe that I would willingly let you leave,
You're out of your mind.
You are delusional.
Oh my god, I'm not supposed to say this,
Oh my god, I am not supposed to reveal this.
And I know that you're trouble but,
I am aware that you are problematic, yet
Is that your real name and why are you doing this?
Is that your authentic name and what is the purpose of your actions?
And how did I get here?
Also, how did I arrive at this point?
Ok, no more questions, no worries,
Okay, no further inquiries. Don't fret.
It's destination unknown, so dive in,
We do not know the destination. So let's take the plunge.
The waters great,
The situation is fantastic.
Listen I'm starting to speak like you,
Listen, I am adopting your manner of speaking.
You can do no wrong,
You are incapable of committing errors or faults.
Anata ga koe no, (Hey, your voice)
Your voice is captivating.
Anata sono made hashitai no, (I just wanted you to talk about it...)
I merely wanted you to speak about it.
Get back, get away from them, it's all wrong,
Go back, leave them alone. This is incorrect.
If you think that I'll let you go,
If you believe that I would willingly let you leave,
You're out of your mind, get,
You are delusional. Depart!
You're out of your mind, get,
You are out of your mind. Depart!
You're out of your mind, get,
You are out of your mind. Depart!
You're out of your mind.
You are delusional.
Contributed by Alice H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.