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
The Listening Chair
Imogen Heap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are just some of the things I like
So the more that I see of them in my day
The better I sleep at night
Mum, dad, Giles, (Lizzie) and Juliet (Uncle James)
Are just some of the people that I love
So the more of all them I can get in my day
I can moonwalk, build castles, play ping pong, talk to animals,
Hold my breath for a really long time, and tell the future
Are just six of the things I can do
And the more I can fit of these things in my day
The better I sleep at night
Ahh, the better I sleep at night
Composer or maybe an astronaut
This is what I'm gonna be when I grow up
I know 'cause I sing out all through the day
I fly through space by night
The teasing, the fighting, the hospitals
I don't wanna go anymore
I put a brave face on, battle through the day
But I might cry myself to sleep (Sleep)
Pinch, pinch, punch, punch
Dancing 'round the car park after lunch
Copy cats, gold stars, cola cubes for good marks
Shy type, show off
Your mom's got her masters, so what?
Swap stickers, best friends, knight rider
Whatcha tell the time again
Popular, blonde hair, all the pretty girls sit over there
Sister's in school, he's cool, our brother knows karate
What do I do to make you hate me so much?
Is it the clothes I wear? (The way I speak?)
Wonder bra thrown 'round the German classroom
Me wouldn't understand
I'll never live it down
Hiding in the bushes
Or tip-toeing down the corridor
Stop it, you'll make me laugh
(Why would I ever need to know this?)
And somehow I'll get through
I never want this to end
This night, this music, with you in my arms
Switch in to the real world
No idea what I'm doing
But here it goes (there she goes)
I've found the place, feels like home
But I caught you kissing her
So suddenly I'm on my own
There's just not enough hours in the day
Things are going great, I can't complain
When I stumble to bed, I sleep like a baby
Finding my feet
Make love, make money, make a difference
Finding my feet
Connect (connect)
Finding my feet
Make money, make a difference
How d'you do that again?
Connect (Connect together)
I find myself gazing out of the window for no reason
When did I stop eating bread, and cheese? I love cheese
I want to have children,
But I don't want to have children, you know?
Something nibbling, a feeling I can't quite explain (A question)
Online, offline, like I'm not really here (A choir)
Awake or sleeping, somehow can't tell the difference (A question)
Bright light outside, dark deep down within
It's a cover up, it was a cover up operation all along
Honing in, I'm honing in on the heart of it all
Toughen up, I've got to toughen up
'Cause I'm breaking it all apart
What's at the heart
What's at the heart of it all?
Who am I now?
Who am I now?
The Listening Chair by Imogen Heap is a reflective song where the singer ponders on things they like and people they love. The song could possibly be exploring the thought process of a younger version of the singer. The lyrics begin with the singer mentioning things they like such as a "Cat", "Blue", "Piano" and explain that when they see more of these things throughout the day, they sleep better at night. The second verse mentions the people they love, which include their "Mum", "Dad", "Giles", "Lizzie" and "Juliet", and how being around them more makes them sleep better too. The third verse speaks about what the singer can do such as "Moonwalk", "Build Castles", and "Play Ping Pong", and how doing these things more helps them sleep better at night. Then there is a sudden shift in lyrics in the fourth verse, where the singer talks about what career they want to pursue when they grow up. The singer says, "This is what I'm gonna be when I grow up, Composer or maybe an astronaut," and goes on to explain how they sing out all day, and fly through space by night. The song then takes another shift where the lyrics seem to describe scenarios from memories of their childhood experiences. The song then shifts again towards the end to talk about current feelings and emotions.
The Listening Chair is a descriptive song that takes the listener on a journey of thoughts and emotions. It is thought-provoking and tries to make the listener think about things they like and love. The song also delves into the singer's past, making them remember their childhood memories. This song is an example of Imogen Heap's dreamy and ethereal style and the way she weaves music, lyrics, and vocals to create an emotional piece of work.
Line by Line Meaning
Cat, blue, piano
Are just some of the things I like
So the more that I see of them in my day
The better I sleep at night
I find comfort in things that I enjoy, like cats, the color blue, and playing the piano. The more I am surrounded by these things throughout the day, the better I feel at night.
Mum, dad, Giles, (Lizzie) and Juliet (Uncle James)
Are just some of the people that I love
So the more of all them I can get in my day
The better I'll sleep at night
My family and loved ones bring me joy and happiness. Spending time with all of them throughout the day helps me feel fulfilled and content, leading to a better night's sleep.
I can moonwalk, build castles, play ping pong, talk to animals,
Hold my breath for a really long time, and tell the future
Are just six of the things I can do
And the more I can fit of these things in my day
The better I sleep at night
Ahh, the better I sleep at night
I have many skills and abilities, such as moonwalking, building castles, and talking to animals. When I am able to incorporate more of these activities into my day, I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, which helps me sleep better at night.
Composer or maybe an astronaut
This is what I'm gonna be when I grow up
I know 'cause I sing out all through the day
I fly through space by night
The teasing, the fighting, the hospitals
I don't wanna go anymore
I put a brave face on, battle through the day
But I might cry myself to sleep (Sleep)
As a child, I dream of being a composer or an astronaut. I express myself through singing and imagination, such as flying through space at night. However, I struggle with teasing, fighting, and hospital visits. I try to stay strong but sometimes end up crying myself to sleep at night.
Pinch, pinch, punch, punch
Dancing 'round the car park after lunch
Copy cats, gold stars, cola cubes for good marks
Shy type, show off
Your mom's got her masters, so what?
Swap stickers, best friends, knight rider
Whatcha tell the time again
Popular, blonde hair, all the pretty girls sit over there
Sister's in school, he's cool, our brother knows karate
What do I do to make you hate me so much?
Is it the clothes I wear? (The way I speak?)
Wonder bra thrown 'round the German classroom
Me wouldn't understand
I'll never live it down
Hiding in the bushes
Or tip-toeing down the corridor
Stop it, you'll make me laugh
(Why would I ever need to know this?)
And somehow I'll get through
I never want this to end
This night, this music, with you in my arms
Switch in to the real world
No idea what I'm doing
But here it goes (there she goes)
These seemingly random and scattered memories of my childhood represent different experiences and emotions, such as feeling left out, ridiculed, and embarrassed. However, I also remember moments of joy and connection, like dancing with friends and sharing music with someone I care about. Despite my uncertainties about the future, I'm willing to take risks and see where life takes me.
I've found the place, feels like home
But I caught you kissing her
So suddenly I'm on my own
There's just not enough hours in the day
Things are going great, I can't complain
When I stumble to bed, I sleep like a baby
Finding my feet
Make love, make money, make a difference
Finding my feet
Connect (connect)
Finding my feet
Make money, make a difference
How d'you do that again?
Connect (Connect together)
I've found a place where I feel embraced and at ease, but discovering a betrayal has left me feeling alone and lost. Despite there never being enough time in the day, things are generally going well and I'm able to sleep peacefully. As I navigate through life, I hope to make a positive impact and connect with others.
I find myself gazing out of the window for no reason
When did I stop eating bread, and cheese? I love cheese
I want to have children,
But I don't want to have children, you know?
Something nibbling, a feeling I can't quite explain (A question)
Online, offline, like I'm not really here (A choir)
Awake or sleeping, somehow can't tell the difference (A question)
Bright light outside, dark deep down within
I often find myself lost in thought and daydreaming. I realize I've given up certain pleasures, like bread and cheese, but I still hold onto an inner childlike love for cheese. I'm conflicted about whether or not I want to have children. I experience a gnawing sensation of something missing, but struggle to identify exactly what it is. I sometimes feel disconnected, like I'm not fully present in the moment. And I have difficulty distinguishing between being awake and asleep, as the line between the two feels blurred. There is both light and darkness within me.
It's a cover up, it was a cover up operation all along
Honing in, I'm honing in on the heart of it all
Toughen up, I've got to toughen up
'Cause I'm breaking it all apart
What's at the heart
What's at the heart of it all?
I've come to realize that something has been hidden or concealed from me for a long time. I'm determined to uncover the truth and get to the heart of the matter. However, the journey is tough and emotionally draining. Despite the challenges, I refuse to stop until I've broken down all the barriers in my way.
Who am I now?
Who am I now?
I'm in a moment of self-reflection, questioning who I am at my core and who I want to become in the future.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IMOGEN JENNIFER JANE HEAP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josesalas912
Cat, blue, piano
Are just some of the things I like
So the more that I see of them in my day
The better I sleep at night
Mum, dad, Giles, and Juliet,
Are just some of the people I love
So the more of all them I can get in my day
The better I’ll sleep at night
I can moonwalk, build castles, play ping pong, talk to animals, hold my breath for a really long time … and tell the future
Are just six of the things I can do
And the more I can fit of these things in my day
The better I sleep at night
Ohhhhhh, the better I sleep at night
Composer or maybe an astronaut
This is what I’m gonna be when I grow up
I know cause I sing out all through the day
I fly through space by night
The teasing, the fighting, the hospitals
I don’t wanna go anymore
I put a brave face on, battle through the day
But I might cry myself to sleep
Pinch, pinch, punch, punch
Dancing round the car park after lunch
Copy cats, gold stars, cola cubes for good marks
Shy type, show off
Your mom’s got her masters, so what?
Swap stickers, best friends, knight rider
whatcha tell the time again
Popular, blonde hair, all the pretty girls sit over there
Sisters in school, he’s cool, our brother knows karate
What do I do to make you hate me so much?
Is it the clothes I wear? The way I speak?
Wonder bra thrown ‘round the German classroom
You wouldn’t understand
I’ll never live it down
Hiding in the bushes
Or tip-toeing down the corridor
Stop it, you’ll make me laugh
Why would I ever need to know this?
Somehow I’ll get through
I never want this to end
This night, this music, with you in my arms
Switch in to the real world
No idea what I’m doing
But here it goes (there she goes)
I’ve found the place, feels like home
But I caught you kissing her
So suddenly I’m on my own
There’s just not enough hours in the day
Things are going great, I can’t complain
When I stumble to bed, I sleep like a baby
Finding my feet
Make love, make money, make a difference
Finding my feet
Connect (connect)
Finding my feed
Make love, make money, make a difference
How’d you do that again?
Connect together
Ahhhhhh, I find myself gazing out of the window for no reason
Ahhhhh, when did I stop eating bread… and cheese? I love cheese
Ahhhh, I want to have children
Ahhhhh, but I don’t want to have children, you know?
Something niggling, a feeling I can’t quite explain
(Questions) online, offline, like I’m not really here
Awake or sleeping, somehow can’t tell the difference
Twilight outside, dark deep down within
It’s a cover up, it was a cover up operation, oh no
honing in, I’m honing in on the heart of it all
Toughen up, I’ve got to toughen up
Coz I’m breaking it all apart
What’s at the heart
What’s at the heart of it all?
Who am I now?
Who am I now?
@user-bu3pc8dc9u
@MultiBurst i think it's
I’ve found the place, feels like home
But I caught you kissing her
So suddenly I’m on my own
There’s just not enough hours in the day
Things are going great, I can’t complain
When I stumble to bed, I sleep like a baby
Finding my feet
Make love, make money, make a difference
Finding my feet
Connect (connect)
Finding my feed
Make love, make money, make a difference
How’d you do that again?
Connect together
@RussGussDoodles
It’s been almost 7 years since this song has been released which means it’s time for a new section for the Listening Chair!
@mcerruti77
It's gonna be a tough one... These last 7 years have been hard for her. Well... For everyone... but I guess Imogen losing her sister it's gonna be hard to write about that event.
@biophype
She released the next section on her app.
@jordancurry4820
@@biophype whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?? time to investigate
@rissehx3
I love how progressively more complex this song gets as she ages. So damn smart.
@Memory7hief
So you're saying that in a few years when she has become older, because of that fact, the song will have changed somehow becoming more complex‽ That's more than smart, it's temporally transcendent and deific.
@DanFallon1981
@MemoryThief well yeah, every 7 years she's going to add another minute to the song. Thats the plan anyway.
@Mrnickstr89
She recently released a demo for the next verse on her app!
@duanjisomar
My most favorite singer. Remember her when i was 9, i saw her walking around the park near my training center in the UK. She heard me singin, shes too kind and jolly she approached me and told me that i could sing. Now, im also a musician and a composer for different artists here in the philippines. And my son also loves your music. Thank you Imogen Heap for inspiring The Cuddly Sage to reach for his dreams!
@elaustraliano
Her musical and creative vision is pretty much unmatched by anyone else around. This video is brilliant in that it so effectively communicates the often chaotic way in which our mind works. She verbalizes and visually portrays some of the mundane (but actually a little wacky) stuff we all day in our daily lives as we try to get through this thing called life and come to an understanding of who we are in it.