Heap grew up playing music from an early age, and by her eleventh birthday she was writing her own songs. From the age of 15, she studied at the BRIT School Of Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon, South London, recording three tracks for the school's annual CD between 1994 and 1995, "Aliens" being the title track of the latter.
After being introduced to Nik Kershaw by his manager Mickey Modern, Heap and Kershaw recorded four demos that Mickey Modern took to Rondor Music. Consequently, a few months later Heap signed her first record contract at 18 to independent record label Almo Sounds. During 1996, Heap began working with an experimental pop band called Acacia, which featured her future collaborator Guy Sigsworth and was fronted by the singer Alexander Nilere. While never a full member of the band, Heap was a guest vocalist (as a counterpart to Nilere) and contributed to various Acacia single and album tracks in 1997. One Acacia song, "Maddening Shroud", would later be covered by Frou Frou.
Heap enjoyed a prestigious live début, performing four songs (backed by friends Acacia) between sets by The Who and Eric Clapton at the 1996 Prince's Trust Concert in Hyde Park, London. Her début album, I Megaphone (an anagram of "Imogen Heap") was internationally released in 1998 on independent record label Almo Sounds and garnered critical acclaim. However, as production of the album neared completion, it was announced that the record label had been sold and would be shut down. I-Megaphone featured collaborations with Guy Sigsworth and Dave Stewart. In Japan, the regional distributor, Zora, re-released the album in 2002, featuring "Blanket," her collaboration with Urban Species which was released as a single in the United Kingdom, and a Frou Frou remix of one of her B-sides, a video to which was released exclusively to Japanese media. Following the disbanding of her UK and USA record label, I Megaphone was scarce in circulation, having not been re-printed until November 2006. An independent Brazillian record label has rights to the record, and has issued limited copies, some of which are available on eBay. It has also been released through the iTunes Music Store under the Almo label.
At the same time as the Japanese re-release, Heap was working on new tracks with producer Guy Sigsworth, who had collaborated on "Getting Scared" from I-Megaphone. Together, they formed an electro-pop group Frou Frou, releasing an album called "Details" and singles, "Breathe In", "It's Good To Be In Love" and "Must Be Dreaming." The album was a full collaboration between the two artists. Frou Frou were approached to cover "Holding Out for a Hero", originally performed by Bonnie Tyler, for the soundtrack to the highly successful movie Shrek 2. An album track, "Let Go", was featured in the movie Garden State in 2004.
In December 2003, Heap announced on her web site that she was going to write and produce her second solo album, using her site as an online blog to update fans on progress, even seeking them to be her A&R team for the lyrics to "Daylight Robbery". Heap set herself a deadline of one year to make the album (she booked the album mastering for December 2004), and re-mortgaged her flat to fund production costs, including the use of studio time and instruments (which she purchased as a birthday present to herself). Having been burned by previous challenges with record labels (Heap had been spurned twice by record companies, when Almo Sounds was sold and when Frou Frou's label staff focused on promoting other acts), Heap decided to form her own record label on which to release the new record. At the end of 2004, Heap premiered two album tracks online, enabling fans to pay for a digital download, entitled "Just For Now" (which was up for a limited time as a Christmas gift), and "Goodnight And Go", which had been featured on the second season of hit US TV drama The O.C.
In April 2005, The O.C. season two finale featured another track, the sparse vocodered-vocal track, "Hide And Seek". The track was released immediately to digital download services such as iTunes where it became an instant fixture in the chart. The track was released as a digital download on the 5th July 2005 in the UK and peaked at #8 on the iTunes download chart.
The album, entitled "Speak For Yourself" was then released in the UK on July 18th 2005 on her own record label, Megaphonic Records. The album was also released on iTunes UK, where it entered the top 10, selling strongly. "Hide And Seek" also received radio attention from the popular UK radio station BBC Radio One, with DJ Scott Mills featuring it as his "Record of the Week", and provoking strong reactions ("love it or hate it") from other DJs at the station. Due to popular demand, the track was commercially released on a special limited edition (1500 copies were printed) 7" vinyl in the UK in September. Speak For Yourself was licensed to Sony BMG imprint RCA Victor in August 2005, enabling the record to be released in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was released in those territories in November, and Heap appeared on the Hotel Cafe Tour promoting the record. Imogen also performed "Goodnight And Go" on The Late Show with David Letterman on January 11, 2006. Heap is slated to continue touring in 2006 in the US and UK to support the record.
As well as TV soundtracks (Frou Frou and Heap's solo records have been featured in shows as varied as The O.C. to CSI, among others), Heap has also contributed solo tracks to movie soundtracks. Her cover of the song "Spooky" (made famous by the band Classics IV, and previously covered by Dusty Springfield) for the soundtrack to the Reese Witherspoon movie Just Like Heaven. Heap also wrote a special track entitled "Can't Take It In" for the soundtrack to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She has also appeared on the second soundtrack for the HBO television series "Six Feet Under", entitled "Six Feet Under Vol. 2: Everything Ends" with a 50-second track that closed the Season 4 episode "I'm A Lonely Little Petunia (In An Onion Patch)". Three versions were recorded and are available from Heap's official web site.
In addition to producing her own records, she has also produced a track for Nik Kershaw and has collaborated with artists as diverse as Joshua Radin, Jeff Beck, Temposhark, LHB, Way Out West, Jon Bon Jovi, Mich Gerber, Sean Lennon, Urban Species, Blue October, Jon Hopkins and Acacia.
Heap's 2009 album 'Ellipse' features Canvas, Aha! and Half Life.
Sites: Twitter
www.imogenheap.com
H!de & Seek
Imogen Heap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What the hell is going on?
The dust has only just begun to form
Crop circles in the carpet
Sinking, feeling
Spin me around again
And rub my eyes
This can't be happening
A mess with people
Would stop to hold their heads heavy
Hide and seek
Trains and sewing machines
All those years
They were here first
Oily marks appear on walls
Where pleasure moments hung before
The takeover
The sweeping insensitivity of this
Still life
Hide and seek
Trains and sewing machines
(You won't catch me around here)
Blood and tears
They were here first
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that you only meant well
Well of course you did
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that it's all for the best
Of course it is
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that it's just what we need
You decided this
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, what did she say?
Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cutouts
Speak no feeling, no, I don't believe you
You don't care a bit, you don't care a bit
Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cutouts
Speak no feeling, no, I don't believe you
You don't care a bit, you don't care a bit
(You don't care a bit)
Oh, no, you don't care a bit
Oh, no, you don't care a bit
Uh-uh, you don't care a bit
You don't care a bit
You don't care a bit
The opening lines of Imogen Heap’s ‘Hide and Seek’ immediately create a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the singer seems lost and bewildered. The description of dust forming suggests that something has been disturbed, and makes us question what it is that’s happening. The reference to crop circles adds to a sense of uncertainty and even fear, as it brings to mind mysterious, unexplained phenomena. The image of sinking suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed, while the idea of being spun around emphasizes the sense of disorientation.
The second verse introduces some more concrete images – busy streets and crowds of people – which contrast with the singer’s own sense of confusion and disbelief. The line “all those years, they were here first” suggests the idea of history and tradition, and perhaps a sense of displacement or alienation. The mention of “blood and tears” also adds a note of darkness and tragedy to the song.
The chorus – “hide and seek, trains and sewing machines” – is repeated several times, and its meaning is open to interpretation. It could be seen as a series of random objects or images, but also suggests themes of childhood games, nostalgia, and even the passage of time. The later verses introduce the idea of ‘ransom notes’ and ‘newspaper word cutouts’ – suggesting someone trying to communicate something, but in a fragmented and confused way. The singer seems to be accusing someone of not caring, and feeling frustrated by their inability to express themselves.
Overall, ‘Hide and Seek’ is a haunting and evocative song that captures a sense of uncertainty and emotional turmoil. Its sparse, haunting sound and enigmatic lyrics make it a standout track from Imogen Heap’s discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are we?
What is the situation we are currently in.
What the hell is going on?
I am confused and do not understand what is happening.
The dust has only just begun to form
The situation is just starting to unfold and there is still a lot of uncertainty.
Crop circles in the carpet
There are mysterious and unexplainable things happening all around us.
Sinking, feeling
The situation is causing me to feel overwhelmed and helpless.
Spin me around again
I feel disoriented and like I am losing control of the situation.
And rub my eyes
I cannot believe what I am seeing and experiencing.
This can't be happening
I am in denial about the situation and how bad it really is.
When busy streets
Even in the chaos and busyness of life, the situation is impossible to ignore.
A mess with people
People are struggling and are affected by the situation.
Would stop to hold their heads heavy
The situation is causing people to feel overwhelmed and weighed down by their thoughts and emotions.
Hide and seek
The situation feels like a game of hiding and seeking, where things are being hidden or kept secret.
Trains and sewing machines
Everyday objects that have been present for a long time are now being affected by the situation and are starting to seem strange.
All those years
This situation has been going on for a long time, but it is only now starting to be noticed and acknowledged.
They were here first
The situation has always been present, but it is only now starting to be felt and seen.
Oily marks appear on walls
There are disturbing and alarming signs of the situation all around us.
Where pleasure moments hung before
The situation is causing a loss of joy and happiness in places and activities that used to bring pleasure.
The takeover
The situation is taking over and becoming the dominant force in our lives.
The sweeping insensitivity of this
The situation is causing people to become insensitive and indifferent to the suffering of others.
Still life
Despite the chaos and turmoil of the situation, life continues to go on around us.
Mm, what'd you say?
I am in disbelief and shock about what you just said.
Mm, that you only meant well
I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you had good intentions.
Well of course you did
It is expected that you had good intentions, but the impact of the situation is still negative.
Mm, that it's all for the best
I am trying to convince myself that the situation is ultimately for the best, even though it is causing pain and suffering in the present.
Of course it is
It is expected that I would try to see the positive aspects of the situation, even though it is difficult to do so.
Mm, what'd you say?
I am still processing and trying to make sense of what you just said.
Mm, what did she say?
I am also trying to understand what another person said in response to the situation.
Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
You are saying things that seem like demands or threats, and it is causing fear and anxiety.
Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cutouts
You are trying to manipulate me with your words, using language that is generic and insincere.
Speak no feeling, no, I don't believe you
You are not being honest with me and I am having a hard time trusting you.
You don't care a bit, you don't care a bit
It is clear that you do not have my best interests in mind and are acting only in your own self-interest.
Oh, no, you don't care a bit
I am disappointed and hurt by your lack of empathy and concern for me.
Uh-uh, you don't care a bit
I am reaffirming that you are not showing any concern or care for me or the situation.
You don't care a bit
It is clear that your actions and words show that you do not care about me or the situation we are in.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IMOGEN JENNIFER HEAP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sophiafreewoman3352
Where are we?
What the hell is going on?
The dust has only just begun to form
Crop circles in the carpet
Sinking, feeling
Spin me around again
And rub my eyes
This can't be happening
When busy streets
A mess with people
Would stop to hold their heads heavy
Hide and seek
Trains and sewing machines
All those years
They were here first
Oily marks appear on walls
Where pleasure moments hung before
The takeover
The sweeping insensitivity of this
Still life
Hide and seek
Trains and sewing machines
Blood and tears
They were here first
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that you only meant well
Well of course you did
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that it's all for the best
Of course it is
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, that it's just what we need
You decided this
Mm, what'd you say?
Mm, what did she say?
Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cutouts
Speak no feeling, no, I don't believe you
You don't care a bit, you don't care a bit
Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cutouts
Speak no feeling, no, I don't believe you
You don't care a bit, you don't care a bit
Oh, no, you don't care a bit
Oh, no, you don't care a bit
Uh-uh, you don't care a bit
You don't care a bit
You don't care a bit
Source: LyricFind
@chameleonedm
Mmmmk, because no one has explained it, I will actually state the difference between a vocoder and a harmonizer
Vocoder:
Input: Two signals, modulation and carry
Method: Modulation signal is chopped into multiple frequency bands using band pass filters, the signal of each of these passes are then multiplied to the corresponding band on the carrier signal. This causes the carrier signal to modulate similarly to the original signal.
Output: The carrier signal, now modulated.
Example: Modulating a saw wave with a human voice. Carrier signal is the saw, modulation signal is the voice. The output will sound like a saw wave singing with the articulation of a human
Harmonizer:
Input: One signal
Method: Detect frequency of original signal, split original signal, fast Fourier transform (usually) on the split signals to pitch them to desired frequencies
Output: Stacked harmonies of the original signal
Example: This song
A vocoder simply provides modulation to a singular sound wave, a harmonizer generates multiple sound waves from a single source and layers them together
Yes, you could use a vocoder to create an effect very similar to a harmonizer. The difference is that proper harmonizers are going to capture more of the imperfections of the human voice singing. A vocoder will always keep the harmonic series of the carrier wave rather than the modulation wave. A harmonizer will maintain the natural harmonic series present in someone's voice
The "vocoder" setting that Imogen used on this track is to enable manual control of what harmonies the harmonizer creates to imitate the effect of a vocoder, it does not mean that the signal is being vocoded
@1doobiedoo
This song sounds like it's giving birth to the internet.
@marinakamiya7822
sadly yes.
@Coco20
Lold so hard
@imemberberry
This song sounds like the national anthem of the elves from Lord of the Rings.
@duckway4733
This comment actually made me feel extreme nostalgia 4 sum reason...
@mianimalhyde8014
tr
uuuuu
@jackpoop4131
2:52 is the meme part but this song is still beautiful
@laviniafalahola3771
Rainbow Make Me Cry
@bigchazza1826
Thank you I was struggling
@Angekleckert
Thx