Quicksand (La Roux song)

"Quicksand"
File:La Roux - Quicksand original.jpg
Single by La Roux
from the album La Roux
Released	15 December 2008 (2008-12-15)
Format	CD single EP 7" single 12" single digital download
Recorded	2008; Elfin Studios (Teddington, London, England)
Genre	Synthpop
Length	3:05
Label	Polydor
Writer(s)	Elly Jackson Ben Langmaid
Producer(s)	Elly Jackson Ben Langmaid
La Roux singles chronology
"Quicksand" (2008) "In for the Kill" (2009)
Alternative cover Re-release cover Re-release cover

"Quicksand" is a song by English synthpop duo La Roux from their self-titled debut album, La Roux. Written and produced by Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, the song was released as the album's lead single on 15 December 2008 by Kitsuné Music. It peaked at number 153 on the UK Singles Chart upon limited release. When re-released on 23 November 2009, the single re-entered the chart at number 129.

Song information

Jackson told The London Paper that the song is about "having an intense moment with someone, when maybe you're watching a film or listening to music, and both of you are yearning for the other one, and it's almost painful to sit next to them."

Critical reception

"Quicksand" was met with critical acclaim. Digital Spy music editor Nick Levine wrote that "[l]ike most of the songs on their debut album, it's a winning combination of pop smarts, stifling romantic obsession and production that mixes the sounds of '82 with the sonic punch of '09." Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commented that "the sparse dynamics and stabbing synthesisers of 'Quicksand' offer a reminder that not every aspect of the 80s has been mined to exhaustion in recent years." Peter Paphides of The Times called the song "superb" and added, "Propelled along by a melody that shares some of its DNA with Prince's 'When Doves Cry', Jackson casts herself as the recipient of an overture from someone already in a relationship." John Murphy, writing for musicOMH, described the song as "instantly addictive and catchy", while stating that "unlike a lot of electro acts out there, 'Quicksand' has real heart and emotion to it as well—certainly not a case of style over substance." Allmusic's Heather Phares noted that the track "uses a relentlessly tight arrangement and Jackson's frosty soulfulness to give the song's obsession a shot of excitement." Luke Turner from the NME referred to "Quicksand" as "liquid-mercury-smooth but pierced by sharp vocals."

Music video

The music video of "Quicksand" was directed by Kinga Burza. It was released on YouTube on 13 January 2009. The video shows Jackson on a tropical island with pineapples and the sun setting. Girls are dancing. Jackson is seen with a parrot on her shoulder, singing. It mostly features Jackson singing with the sun setting behind her.

Track listings

Original release

• French 12" single

A1. "Quicksand" (Original) – 3:07

A2. "Quicksand" (autoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:44

B1. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:20

B2. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:34

• French iTunes EP

1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
2. "Quicksand" (AutoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:42
3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:18
4. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:32
5. "Quicksand" (Joe and Will Ask? Remix) – 5:01

• UK iTunes single

1. "Quicksand" (Standard Version) – 3:05

• US EP and iTunes EP

1. "Quicksand" (Original Version) – 3:06
2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:07
3. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:02

• US 12" single

A1. "Quicksand" – 3:08

A2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Mix No. 1) – 5:10

A3. "Quicksand" (Instrumental) – 3:08

B1. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:04

B2. "In for the Kill" (Instrumental) – 4:08

Re-release

• UK CD single

1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:19

• UK limited edition 7" single

A. "Quicksand" - 3:07

• UK iTunes EP

1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
3. "Quicksand" (Alex Metric Remix) – 6:26
4. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:12

Charts

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Belgian Tip Chart (Flanders)	19
UK Singles Chart	129

Release history

Country	Date	Label	Format
Original release
France	15 December 2008	Kitsuné Music	12" single, digital EP
United States	14 April 2009	Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records	EP, digital EP
	9 June 2009		12" single
United Kingdom	2 July 2009	Polydor Records	Digital single
Re-release
United Kingdom	22 November 2009	Polydor Records	Digital EP
	23 November 2009		CD single, 7" single

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics