When Kitty Wu first stepped onto the Scandinavian indie scene with the rele… Read Full Bio ↴When Kitty Wu first stepped onto the Scandinavian indie scene with the release of their debut “Privacy”(2001), the band instantly drew attention from both critics and music fans alike.
The strong sense of urgency surrounding the band, and the honest, yet ambitious sound of the album was convincing and quite unexpected, coming from a first-time act. The album earned the Danish band rave reviews, as well as a prestigious spot on the Roskilde festival’s legendary main stage.
For their next album Kitty Wu teamed up with renowned producer Rob Ellis, known for his many years of collaboration with PJ Harvey. Ellis would prove to be a key character in the band’s storyline, and helped shape and sharpen the sound and identity of Kitty Wu.
With “The Rules of Transportation”(2003) Kitty Wu grew into their own and perfected their specific brand of poetic and alternative rock. The album also saw Robert Lund gaining a position as a deeply fascinating singer and songwriter.
Ellis returned to produce “Knives and Daggers”(2005), a detached diary of city living and the chilling culmination of Kitty Wu’s foray into dark minimalism.
Both albums were critically acclaimed and gave the band a loyal underground following, helped by a reputation as an exiting live act, earned through touring - both headlining as well as supporting acts like Brendan Benson and Muse.
Now Kitty Wu is back with “Someone Was Here”, an album that bares witness to the many changes that has taken place inside the band - changes that have pushed Kitty Wu into new sonic territory and created a hectic energy within their sound.
Since releasing their last album, Kitty Wu have parted ways with bass player Samuel Helles (who left for family reasons). The departure of Helles initially sent shockwaves through the tightly knit unit, but when the dust settled, they found that being forced to rethink the band, allowed them a new freedom which created a massive sense of electricity throughout the process.
“Someone Was Here” is the sound of conflict. Noise driven guitars and beatstructures are in a constant clash with Robert Lund’s atmospheric and ghostly vocals. This intentional fight creates a nervous, driven energy and a truly hypnotic soundscape, underlining the abstract and poetic lyrics about loss and departure.
Most of the self-produced album was recorded at Studio R, a converted warehouse in the industrial part of Copenhagen. Lund subsequently laid down the complex and evocative vocal arrangements by himself, during nightly sessions in the band’s own studio, Chapter 11. The vocals, which are a defining element of “Someone Was Here”, also draws a crooked line to some of the unorthodox influences behind the album - among them Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “Bookends”.
The album was mixed in London by Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine, Breeders, etc).
“Someone Was Here” is Kitty Wu at their best and most ambitious, and places them at the forefront of a thriving and exciting Danish music movement. “Someone Was Here” is handled in Denmark by A:larm Music, whose roster includes Danish acts like Mew, Efterklang and Sune Wagner of Raveonettes.
The album is available on cd / limited vinyl / download

Kitty Wu is:
Robert Lund – Vocals/Guitars Allan Schøneberg – Bass Claus Bergmann – Drums

Slow Dance
Kitty Wu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is the safest word in your mouth
This is the safest room in the house
Where all is overseen and organized
According to its color and its size

It will not help you home or up the steps
Not untie your shoe or you undress
Or steady out the voice that you have

Shun
When singing to an audience of none

It is a slow dance you dance
I see that you do it well
It is a dead move you plan endlessly
I can tell
It is a slow dance you dance
Just a move away from standing still

Never unexpected company
Always opposites of luxury
A party for the few you would invite
The blow that never made it to the fight

It is a slow dance you dance
I see that you do it well
It is a dead move you plan endlessly
I can tell

It is a slow dance you dance
Just a move away from standing still

Overall Meaning

In the opening lyrics of Kitty Wu's song "Slow Dance," the artist paints a picture of safety and order. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the idea that there is a space that is calm, controlled, and predictable. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this sense of safety does not bring comfort or joy. The singer mentions that this place will not "help you home or up the steps," revealing that this room, while perhaps a physical safe haven, is not where the singer finds emotional support or connection. The line "steady out the voice that you have/Shun" further emphasizes the isolation of this space, suggesting that the singer's authentic self is not welcome in this safe zone.

The chorus of the song centers around the metaphor of a "slow dance." The singer acknowledges that their partner (who could be a literal dance partner or represent something else entirely) is skilled at this dance, but also suggests that it is a "dead move" that is planned out and executed without passion or spontaneity. The final line of the chorus, "Just a move away from standing still," reinforces the theme of immobility that runs throughout the song. The verses that follow continue to describe this stagnant environment, with lines like "Always opposites of luxury" suggesting that while there may be an illusion of comfort and abundance, it is ultimately empty and unfulfilling.

Overall, "Slow Dance" is a song that explores the limitations of safety and the importance of taking risks and embracing change. While the idea of a "safe space" may sound comforting on the surface, this song argues that true growth and fulfillment come from stepping out of our comfort zones and experiencing the unpredictability of life.

Line by Line Meaning

This is the safest word in your mouth
You feel secure when speaking this word

This is the safest room in the house
This room feels safe and secure to be in

Where all is overseen and organized
Everything is carefully watched and arranged in this room

According to its color and its size
Things are organized in this room based on their color and size

It will not help you home or up the steps
This room won't assist you in getting home or moving up a staircase

Not untie your shoe or you undress
This room won't help you untie your shoe or get undressed

Or steady out the voice that you have Shun
This room won't help you adjust your voice or avoid something

When singing to an audience of none
When you sing to no one in particular

It is a slow dance you dance
You are moving slowly as if dancing

I see that you do it well
You are skilled at moving slowly

It is a dead move you plan endlessly
You are making a motion that doesn't go anywhere and repeating it over and over