Single cover
The art director of the single was British graphic designer Scott King and the photographer was Jonathan de Villiers. Murphy is wearing a design by Viktor & Rolf on the cover.
Critical reception
"Overpowered" was met with positive reviews from critics. Jax Spike of About.com described the song as "a perfect ode to melancholic memories that are sung with a seductive baby doll voice with lyrics like 'When I think that I am over you/I'm overpowered' right before a zigzagging electro beat comes into play." Heather Phares of AllMusic stated, "With its sleek beats, bubbling synths, and nagging chorus, 'Overpowered' closely resembles a state-of-the-art pop single, but the way Murphy sings of science and oxytocin over a heart-fluttering harp is unmistakably her."
BBC Music's Sonja D'Cruze referred to the song as "a heady electronic anthem which tells the tale of getting consumed by the lust for an ex-lover, complete with a squelchy bassline and the minimalism of Casio kickdrums which are all secretly lifted by gentle harp and spacey synths. It's an irresistible match of loved-up disco pop which has a crafty reworking of TIGA's 'I Wear My Sunglasses At Night', immediately making it a new classic." Mike Barnes from musicOMH called the song "an unrelenting electro-pop gem that penetrates your skull faster than a high-velocity nail gun." Pitchfork placed "Overpowered" at number 69 on its list of the Top 100 Tracks of 2007, further commenting, "Arty and smartly seductive, 'Overpowered' is a sublime reminder of the glory days of New Pop."
Music video
The music video for "Overpowered" was directed by Jamie Thraves and shows Murphy walking back home from a live gig at night. On her way home, she is seen catching a Leyland Titan bus, buying fish and chips at a restaurant and witnessing a police chase. Upon arriving home, she drinks water in the kitchen, removes clothes from the washing machine, brushes her teeth and ultimately goes to bed. Throughout the video, Murphy wears a black and white-chequered outfit designed by English fashion designer Gareth Pugh; Kylie Minogue would wear the same piece in her "In My Arms" video the following year.
Overpowered
Róisín Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm overpowered
Your data, my data
The chromosomes match
Exact as in matter
A matter of fact
A cognitive state
Need the love object
To reciprocate
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
But I'm overpowered
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
A chemical reason
If reason's your game
A chemical needing
Is there in the brain
With pre-programmed meanings
Like a little more pep
Alien feelings
We have to accept
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
I'm overpowered
The lyrics of Róisín Murphy's "Overpowered" explore the theme of love and the chemical reactions that occur in our brains when we experience it. The first verse speaks of the struggle to move on from a past love, even when one believes they have overcome it, they become powerfully overwhelmed when faced with the person again. The second verse alludes to the scientific explanations behind this phenomenon, as the song references "chromosomes" and "oxy-toxins" flowing into the brain. The chorus emphasizes the feeling of being overpowered by emotion and the inability to escape it.
The use of scientific language and terminology throughout "Overpowered" adds a layer of complexity to the theme. The lyrics suggest that love is not just a feeling but a biological process that we are unable to resist. The concept of pre-programmed meanings and alien feelings hint at an understanding that emotions are not always rational and can be difficult to comprehend.
Overall, "Overpowered" is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of love and the chemical processes that underlie our emotions. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness when it comes to controlling the strength of our feelings and the power they can hold over us.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think that I'm over you
Despite thinking that I have moved on from you
I'm overpowered
I am still overwhelmed by my feelings towards you
Your data, my data
Our genetic material is matched and intertwined
The chromosomes match
Our physical compatibility is clear and undeniable
Exact as in matter
Our relationship is a scientific fact, not just a feeling
A matter of fact
There is no denying the truth of our connection
These amaranth feelings
My deep emotions towards you
A cognitive state
My mental state surrounding these emotions
Need the love object
My feelings require your reciprocation
To reciprocate
In order to be fully realized and fulfilled
It's long overdue
I should have moved on from you by now
As science struggles on
Despite scientific investigation into the nature of emotions
To try to explain
Despite attempting to find a logical reason
Oxy-toxins flowing
Chemical signals in the brain that create feelings of love
Ever into my brain
Continuously affecting my thoughts and feelings
A chemical reason
The scientific explanation behind the intensity of my emotions
If reason's your game
If you are looking for a logical explanation
A chemical needing
A biological imperative for attachment and love
Is there in the brain
It is a physical response within the body
With pre-programmed meanings
Deeply ingrained emotional responses that are instinctual
Like a little more pep
Similar to a temporary boost of energy or motivation
Alien feelings
Intense emotions that are difficult to comprehend or control
We have to accept
Despite the confusion and complexity of these emotions, we must acknowledge and deal with them
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE PATTO, PAUL SEIJI DOLBY, ROISIN MURPHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlosquiroz74
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
Your data, my data
The chromosomes match
Exact as in matter
A matter of fact
These amaranth feelings
A cognitive state
Need the love object
To reciprocate
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
But I'm overpowered
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
A chemical reason
If reason's your game
A chemical needing
Is there in the brain
With pre-programmed meanings
Like a little more pep
Alien feelings
We have to accept
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
When I think that I'm over you
I'm overpowered
It's long overdue
I'm overpowered
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain
I'm overpowered
@milkbunnies
After all these years that acid bassline still rips....
@robertorolfo
Better than 99.99999% of modern music.
@Wanapelei
👍
@TrippyNoodles
Really reminds me of Luke Viberts acid stuff. In a great way too 😍
@khlothostonney5760
i suppose they shook you because you listen to mostly commercial music. those have been used to death in the underground for ages before this release. i give it thumbs up though for adding it to this great song!
@flatearthreality8683
why wouldn't it? the song did not change.
are you trolling or just crying for likes?
@aidankelly3402
Extremely underrated singer, a voice of her own . Groovy music to match
@robertorolfo
Yep, her voice is truly sensational. One of the absolute best in the world.
@AliCologne
Not getting old.. One of my all time favorite songs.
@estebangualteros8971
Underrated masterpiece.