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.
Only Got One
Frou Frou Lyrics
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If yes doesn't mean it does when lessen why
You are held in queue
Someone will be with you shortly
Say I'm wrong, you decide
I don't believe the words you sing sometimes
But then it's your life
Mmm
But then it's your life
Mmm
It's your life
But you've only got one
You've only got one
But you've only got one
If I, just to spite you, placate your disgrace
Will song turn to silence
Will mask wear your face
Are you down to be open
Show me yours and I'll show you mine
Or are you down just to be down
I don't believe the words you sing sometimes
But then it's your life
Mmm
It's your life
But then it's your life
Mmm
It's your life
But you've only got one
It's your life
You've only got one
Mmm it's your life
But you've only got one
Life honey
You've only got one
Life honey
You've only got one
Life honey
Start today
Life honey
You start today
Life honey
But you've only got one
Life honey
But you've only got one
Life honey
You've only got one
Life honey
But you've only got one
You've only got one
But you've only got one
The song "Only Got One" by Frou Frou is a powerful message about the importance of taking ownership of one's life. The opening lines suggest that the question of whether this is a lie or truth is irrelevant, as yes and no hold little meaning when it comes to the bigger picture of life. The lines "if yes doesn't mean it does when lessen why" suggest that even if something is true, it doesn't necessarily matter if it doesn't have an impact on one's life.
The next verse is directed at someone who seems to be waiting in line, possibly for answers or guidance. The line "say I'm wrong, you decide" speaks to the idea that ultimately, each person must make their own decisions about what is right and wrong for them. The chorus of the song repeats the message that it is one's own life that matters most and that we only have one chance to live it.
The second verse turns more personal, with the singer asking if the listener is willing to be truly open and authentic. The line "show me yours and I'll show you mine" suggests vulnerability and transparency. The song ends with a call to action, urging the listener to start living their life to the fullest today.
Overall, "Only Got One" is a powerful reminder that life is precious and that we should take ownership of our decisions and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
If this is a question is maybe a lie
The validity of the question posed may be questionable
If yes doesn't mean it does when lessen why
Possibly implying that someone is not being truthful in their affirmative response
You are held in queue
You are currently waiting for someone to assist you
Someone will be with you shortly
Assurance that assistance will come soon
Say I'm wrong, you decide
Leaving the decision to someone else to determine what is right or wrong
I don't believe the words you sing sometimes
Questioning the truthfulness of someone's words
But then it's your life Mmm It's your life
Acknowledging that ultimately someone's choices are their own
But you've only got one
Reminding someone that they only have one life to live and should make the most of it
If I, just to spite you, placate your disgrace
Hypothetically offering to pacify someone's embarrassment just to cause them further distress
Will song turn to silence Will mask wear your face
Musing on the possibility that a facade will fall away and reality will be exposed
Are you down to be open Show me yours and I'll show you mine
Suggesting a mutual exchange of experiences or values
Or are you down just to be down
Questioning someone's motivations for their actions
Life honey You've only got one Life honey
Reiterating the fact that life should be lived fully because there is only one chance to do so
Start today Life honey You start today
Encouraging someone to begin living their life to the fullest in the present moment
But you've only got one Life honey But you've only got one Life honey You've only got one Life honey But you've only got one
Repeated reminder that life should be cherished and lived to the fullest because it is a precious and fleeting gift
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GUY SIGSWORTH, IMOGEN JENNIFER HEAP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind