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.
She Wants
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So soft and trim
Arranging papers
Around the bed
And if she's dreaming deep tonight
I lie with her by reading light
A glass of water by her side
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
I call her shots
'Til you wake up
Count every second
On every clock
It's getting late
Yeah that I know
The hours come
The hours go
Then twitching lips
And twitching arms
And there you're lying
Your make up on them
Oh, girl if you're dreaming deep tonight
I'll lie with you by reading light
A glass of water by your side
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
I call her shots
'Til you wake up
Count every second
On every clock
It's getting late
Yeah that I know
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The lyrics to Metronomy's song She Wants describe the singer's intimate and caring relationship with their partner while they sleep. The first verse describes how the singer watches their partner sleep and arranges papers around the bed. They mention that they hope their partner is sleeping deeply so that they can also fall asleep. The second verse continues with this attentiveness as the singer notices their partner twitching in their sleep and even sees their make-up smudged on their pillow. Regardless of these disturbances, the singer remains loyal and comforting, staying by their partner's side and wishing to fall asleep as well.
The repetition of "I call her shots" and "count every second on every clock" in the chorus could suggest that the singer is obsessively controlling of their partner's life or that they are trying to track every moment of their time together. It could also imply that the singer is worried about something happening to their partner, so they are being extra cautious and attentive. The song as a whole paints a picture of a loving and patient relationship where the singer is deeply committed to their partner's wellbeing.
One interpretation of the song is that it's about the anxieties and intimacy that come with sleeping next to someone else. The singer's attentiveness to their partner's movements and needs reveals a certain level of vulnerability and trust in the relationship. They show a willingness to take care of their partner even in their most vulnerable state, which speaks to the depth of their love and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
She sleeps her soul
She is peacefully resting
So soft and trim
Her body is relaxed
Arranging papers around the bed
She is organizing her things before bed
And if she's dreaming deep tonight
Assuming she's in a deep sleep
I lie with her by reading light
He stays up while she sleeps by using a reading light
A glass of water by her side
A drink is placed within her reach
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
He hopes to tire himself out so that he can sleep
I call her shots
He's in charge of making decisions on her behalf
'Til you wake up
Up until she wakes up
Count every second
He is attentive to the passing of time
On every clock
He checks every clock to keep track of time
It's getting late
The night is progressing
Yeah that I know
He's aware of the situation
The hours come
Time is passing
Then twitching lips
He notices her body movements during sleep
And twitching arms
He notices her body movements during sleep
And there you're lying
She is sleeping there
Your make up on them
Her makeup is smudged on her face
Oh, girl if you're dreaming deep tonight
If she's in a deep sleep
I'll lie with you by reading light
He will stay up while she sleeps using a reading light
A glass of water by your side
She has a drink placed within her reach
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
He hopes to tire himself out so that he can sleep
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
The hours come
Time is passing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH PATRICK MOUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
João Varela
Metronomy - She Wants
(Or what you do when your girl sleeps softly and you are tormented by insomnia)
She sleeps so soft, so soft I try
Arranging papers around the bed
And if she's dreaming deep tonight
I lie with her by reading light
A glass of water by her side
And gone are hopes of getting tired
I call the shots till you wake up
Count every second on every clock
It’s getting late, yeah, that I know
The hours come, the hours go
And twitching legs and twitching arms
And there you're lying, your make-up on it
And girl, if you're dreaming deep tonight
I'll lie with you by reading light
A glass of water by your side
And gone are hopes of getting tired
I call the shots till you wake up
Count every second on every clock
It’s getting late, yeah, that I know
The hours come, the hours go
I call the shots till you wake up
Count every second on every clock
It’s getting late, yeah, that I know
The hours come, the hours come (5x)
JoseCots
[Spoken:]
It's a hot and sticky night in the Bay Area, you're listening to Riviera FM and this is Metronomy: She Wants..
She sleeps her soul
So soft and trim
Arranging papers
Around the bed
And if she's dreaming deep tonight
I lie with her by reading light
A glass of water by her side
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
I call her shots
'Til you wake up
Count every second
On every clock
It’s getting late
Yeah that I know
The hours come
The hours go
Then twitching lips
And twitching arms
And there you're lying
Your make up on them
Oh, Girl if you're dreaming deep tonight
I'll lie with you by reading light
A glass of water by your side
I'm gone in hopes of getting tired
I call her shots
Till you wake up
Count every second
On every clock
It’s getting late
Yeah that I know
The hours come
The hours go
I call her shots
Till you wake up
Count every second
On every clock
It’s getting late
Yeah that I know
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
The hours come
Jannce
Can't believe this is 10 years old, they were ahead of their time
pixelveteran
and they were using QR codes!!
Frederick James Mc Donnell
And still are
Darren Coakley
I'm ashamed to say I'm quite new to metronomy but their songs are so chilled I can't get enough. 👍💓
Rhapsody Media
same same same :)
Frederick James Mc Donnell
Share and share again
Kerry MQ
Nothing to be ashamed of, glad you've found them :)
Christopher Isaacson
One of the best songs on the album if you ask me. I can see why some people wouldn't think this is the obvious choice for a video but it really works.
Samuel Walter
This song speaks into your deepest thoughts and conscience. Your emotions get betrayed by your mind and you are manipulated to listen again and again, because it gives you a sad satisfaction listening. That's how amazing this song is.
Padre Elísio Dias
That is so true. I started thinking how the outro does a perfect job conveying sadness and nostalgia. A couple listens after and here I am, crying myself out at 6am.