Metronomy began in the tiny, bohemian market town of Totnes, Devon, when Joseph’s Dad sold his son a computer so he could sit in his bedroom and make electronic music. He was inspired by the likes of Autechre, LFO and Aphex Twin, more as a creative hobby than a pop masterplan.
After decamping to Brighton for Uni, Metronomy released their debut album in June 2006. It was called Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe), and its obtuse but fascinating, largely instrumental electro-pop reflected the eccentricity of its title, and the enduring influence of Totnes.
Joseph admits that he only, finally, saw the commercial possibilities of Metronomy when DJ, producer, Trash founder and electro-punk avatar Erol Alkan began to feature the single You Could Easily Have Me in his sets, and asked Metronomy to play at his club. Cue the need for a proper live show, and the additions of Gabriel Stebbing, Oscar Cash, dance routines and clothes that blink.
Move on 2 years and Nights Out a wonky love-child of Giorgio Moroder, New Order, Pet Shop Boys and Unfinished Sympathy is a second album that feels like a debut. The first to be vocal-led, with the self-effacing Joseph stepping up and grabbing the mic for most of the tracks; and, crucially, the first to introduce Metronomy as a fully live propsition, rather than a pseudonym for Joseph‘s solo work.
As Metronomy’s busy touring schedule built a buzz amongst kids who instinctively get the dance/art crossover, In April 2009 the Metronomy show took another leap in its evolution, with the addition for the first time of a live drummer in Anna Prior, and bassist Gbenga Adelekan. The new Metronomy was completely live, proving it is possible for electronic bands to put on show as authentic as any rock band.
Meanwhile Joseph has embarked on a series of prestigious remixes for the likes of Klaxons, Franz Ferdinand, Gorillaz and collaborations with Kate Nash and Florence and The Machine. Metronomy produced part of the highly acclaimed Roots Manuva album Slime and Reason.
My Heart Rate Rapid
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go, what?
Yeah go
What? Go
Free the, free hippo
Free the, free hippo
Be the free hippo
La, la, la, hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Free the, free hippo
Free the, free hippo
Waiting for it to rain
(I'm telling you)
Waiting for it to rain
Waiting for it to rain
(I'm telling you)
Hope it's gonna rain
Some one's dying
You aren't cryin'
I'm gonna show my heart rate rapid
In every way, in every route
In every way, in every route
In every way
He is comin'
Show our garden
I'm gonna tell my heart rate rapid
In every route, in every route
In every route, in every route
In every route
Free the, free hippo
Free the, free hippo
Be the free hippo
Be the free hippo
La, la, la, hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Free the, free hippo
Free the, free hippo
Waiting for it to rain
(I'm tellin' you)
Waiting for it to rain
Waiting for it to rain
(I'm telling you)
Hope it's gonna rain
You are dying
Aren't you cryin'
I'm gonna show your heart rate rapid
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
In every way
The lyrics to Metronomy's song "My Heart Rate Rapid" are somewhat abstract and open to interpretation. The repeating line "Free the, free hippo" can be seen as a call to break free from constraints and expectations, much like a hippopotamus removing itself from a body of water. This idea is reinforced by the repeated lines "Be the free hippo" and "La, la, la, hippo."
The following lines, "Waiting for it to rain / (I'm telling you) / Waiting for it to rain / Waiting for it to rain / (I'm telling you) / Hope it's gonna rain," suggest a sense of anticipation and longing for change. The lines "Someone's dying / You aren't crying" could be seen as a commentary on the lack of empathy and concern so prevalent in our society. The singer then states "I'm gonna show my heart rate rapid," indicating a strong emotional reaction to this phenomenon.
In the second half of the song, the singer seems to be addressing someone else, stating "You are dying / Aren't you crying / I'm gonna show your heart rate rapid." This could be interpreted as a call to action, a plea for the other person to recognize the gravity of the situation and show more emotion. The repeated refrain "In every way, in every route" could suggest a desire for a complete and total change, in all aspects of life.
Overall, the lyrics to "My Heart Rate Rapid" are somewhat enigmatic, but seem to speak to a desire for liberation, greater empathy, and a sense of urgency.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah go
Let's begin
Go, what?
What would you like to do?
Yeah go
Let's begin
What? Go
Where do you want to go?
Free the, free hippo
Let the hippo be free from captivity
Free the, free hippo
Let the hippo be free from captivity
Be the free hippo
You should be like a free hippo
Be the free hippo
You should be like a free hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Sing and celebrate like a hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Sing and celebrate like a hippo
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
(I'm telling you)
Believe me when I say it
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
(I'm telling you)
Believe me when I say it
Hope it's gonna rain
Desiring change to happen
Someone's dying
Someone is in distress
You aren't cryin'
You are not showing emotion
I'm gonna show my heart rate rapid
I will express my fear and anxiety through my heartbeat
In every way, in every route
In all possible paths
In every way, in every route
In all possible paths
In every way
In every aspect
He is comin'
An arrival is imminent
Show our garden
Display what is within us
I'm gonna tell my heart rate rapid
I will express my fear and anxiety through my heartbeat
In every route, in every route
In all possible paths
In every route, in every route
In all possible paths
In every route
In all possible paths
Free the, free hippo
Let the hippo be free from captivity
Free the, free hippo
Let the hippo be free from captivity
Be the free hippo
You should be like a free hippo
Be the free hippo
You should be like a free hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Sing and celebrate like a hippo
La, la, la, hippo
Sing and celebrate like a hippo
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
(I'm tellin' you)
Believe me when I say it
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
Waiting for it to rain
Anticipating a change to come
(I'm telling you)
Believe me when I say it
Hope it's gonna rain
Desiring change to happen
You are dying
You are in distress
Aren't you cryin'
Why aren't you showing emotion
I'm gonna show your heart rate rapid
I will express my fear and anxiety through your heartbeat
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
In every way
In every aspect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH PATRICK MOUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Erica Six
After years and years of loving this song, I just now found out there was a music video for it. My God. It's beautiful
Tito Lopez
Todas las canciones de esta banda son buenas!......A bailar!......Perú presente!...... :-D
carikittygeek
That's it, I'm never telling anyone what bands I like.
Eric Hardy
@Chungle McBungus lol🤣
Chungle McBungus
@Charlie Cameron Somebody's never taken any drugs
Tumblewed
@Eric Hardy every person that ive slowly introduced to metronomy instead of shocking them with heart rate rapid right at the start likes the band and listens to them to this day :)
Ecstrah
Lol!!!!!
Eric Hardy
Metronomy is one of a kind.. n those who like Metronomy.. are one of kind.. in a sense.. no need to tell anyone.. cause you will hardly come across the real fan.🙊
Patrick
I had no idea this had a video attached to the song! It used to be on my commute playlist for years!
Chungle McBungus
@Patrick this guy seemed to reply to everyones comments like that on this vid. He really hates this song for some reason 🤷♂️