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.
Psychobabble
Frou Frou Lyrics
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I can't get my head 'round you
Of course you're not coming over
Snap out of it
You're not making any sense
You couldn't be more wrong, darling
I never gave out these signs
Snap out of it
I'm not falling for this one
If love is surrender
Then whose war is it anyway?
Do just what I tell you
And no one will get hurt
Don't come any closer
'Cause I dunno how long I can hold my heart in two
If you think that it's so damn easy
Then what do you need me for?
Just look at the state of you
Babe, snap out of it
You're not listening to this
And just for once could you
Let me finish my sentence?
Do just what I tell you
And no one will get hurt
Don't come any closer
'Cause I dunno how long I can hold my heart in two
Make no sudden movements
And no one will get hurt
You're not coming over
If you know what's good for me
Why would I be leaving you?
Now, I've had it up to here
Don't ever try that again
Why are you so quiet so suddenly?
Go on, have it
You're just dying to try me
Do just what I tell you
And no one will get hurt
Don't come any closer
'Cause I dunno how long I can hold my heart in two
So, what do we do now?
What do we do now?
What do we do now?
What do we do now?
The lyrics of "Psychobabble" by Frou Frou discuss a dysfunctional and confrontational relationship where the parties involved don't seem to understand each other. The song begins with the singer questioning how the other person got their number, suggesting that this is an unwelcome interaction. She then expresses confusion about the other person's behavior, stating she can't get her head around them. The other person is not welcome to come over, and the singer implores them to snap out of it and stop being nonsensical.
The singer tries to explain that the other person has misunderstood her, but her words fall on deaf ears. She asks the other person to let her finish her sentences for once and pleads with them to not hurt her heart. The phrase "if love is surrender, then whose war is it anyway?" is intriguing because it suggests that love requires vulnerability and the perceived risk of harm. The song ends with the singer fed up by this dynamic and questioning what they will do next.
Interestingly, the song's electronic instrumentation and production are crucial in communicating the tense and confrontational energy of the situation. The song begins with a pulsing electronic beat in which the singer sings over, and the sounds become increasingly chaotic, suggesting a buried fury driven by the persona. The song's lyrics also feel like a stream of consciousness, with one thought leading to another in a dizzying cascade. "Psychobabble" is about conflict and misunderstanding, and the song's composition and delivery indicate an urgent and volatile mood.
Line by Line Meaning
How did you get this number?
I'm confused about how you obtained this information
I can't get my head 'round you
I am having a difficult time understanding you
Of course you're not coming over
I was not expecting you to visit
Snap out of it
Come back to reality
You're not making any sense
What you're saying is illogical
You couldn't be more wrong, darling
You are completely mistaken
I never gave out these signs
I did not give you any indication of my feelings
You misunderstand all meaning
You are interpreting things incorrectly
I'm not falling for this one
I'm not going to be deceived
If love is surrender
If love requires giving up control
Then whose war is it anyway?
Then who is really in charge?
Do just what I tell you
Follow my instructions exactly
And no one will get hurt
No harm will come if you comply
Don't come any closer
Stay where you are
'Cause I dunno how long I can hold my heart in two
Because I am emotionally strained and cannot take any more risk
If you think that it's so damn easy
If you believe it's effortless
Then what do you need me for?
Why do you even require my assistance?
Just look at the state of you
You are in a terrible condition
Babe, snap out of it
Wake up and focus on reality
You're not listening to this
You're not paying attention to what I'm saying
And just for once could you
Can you please do me a favor and
Let me finish my sentence?
Allow me to complete my statement
Make no sudden movements
Don't act quickly or unpredictably
If you know what's good for me
If you care for me at all
Why would I be leaving you?
I have no reason to leave you
Now, I've had it up to here
I am extremely frustrated with you
Don't ever try that again
Do not repeat that mistake
Why are you so quiet so suddenly?
Why did you suddenly become silent?
Go on, have it
Go ahead and try your luck
You're just dying to try me
You are eager to take advantage of me
So, what do we do now?
What is the plan from here?
What do we do now?
What should our next steps be?
What do we do now?
What actions are necessary at this point?
What do we do now?
Where do we go from here?
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: PETE CHILL, IMOGEN HEAP, GUY SIGSWORTH, IMOGEN JENNIFER HEAP, PETER CHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind