Quicksand (La Roux song)

"Quicksand" is a song by English synth-pop duo La Roux, released on 15 December 2008 by Kitsuné^[1] as both their debut single and the lead single from their eponymous debut studio album (2009). Written and produced by members Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, the track was a commercial disappointment despite acclaim from critics, peaking at number 153 on the UK Singles Chart upon limited release.^[2] When re-released on 23 November 2009, the single re-entered the chart at number 129.

"Quicksand"
EP cover
Single by La Roux
from the album La Roux
Released	15 December 2008 (2008-12-15)
Recorded	2008
Studio	Elfin (Teddington, London)
Genre	Synth-pop
Length	3:05
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Elly Jackson Ben Langmaid
Producer(s)	Ben Langmaid Elly Jackson
La Roux singles chronology
"Quicksand" (2008) "In for the Kill" (2009)
Alternative cover
Re-release cover
Music video
"Quicksand" on YouTube

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."^[3]

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."^[4] 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."^[5] 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."^[6]

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."^[1] 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."^[7] Luke Turner of NME referred to "Quicksand" as "liquid-mercury-smooth but pierced by sharp vocals."^[8]

Music video

The music video of "Quicksand" was directed by Kinga Burza.^[9] 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-inch single[10] 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 digital EP[11] "Quicksand" – 3:07 "Quicksand" (AutoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:42 "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:18 "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:32 "Quicksand" (Joe and Will Ask? Remix) – 5:01 UK digital single[12] "Quicksand" (Standard Version) – 3:05

US EP and digital EP[13][14] "Quicksand" (Original Version) – 3:06 "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:07 "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:02 US 12-inch single[15] 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[16] "Quicksand" – 3:07 "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58 "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:19 UK limited-edition 7-inch single[17] A. "Quicksand" - 3:07

UK digital EP[18] "Quicksand" – 3:07 "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58 "Quicksand" (Alex Metric Remix) – 6:26 "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:12

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of La Roux.^[19]

Recording and management

• Recorded at Elfin Studios (Teddington, London)
• Mixed at Mr Dan's (London)
• Published by Big Life Music Ltd.

Personnel

• Elly Jackson – vocals, production
• Ben Langmaid – production
• Dan Carey – mixing

Charts

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[20]	19
UK Singles (OCC)[21]	129

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Original release
France	15 December 2008	12-inch single digital EP	Kitsuné	[10][11]
United States	14 April 2009	EP digital EP	Cherrytree Interscope	[13][14]
	9 June 2009	12-inch single		[22]
United Kingdom	2 July 2009	Digital single	Polydor	[12]
Re-release
United Kingdom	22 November 2009	Digital EP	Polydor	[18]
	23 November 2009	CD single 7-inch single		[23][17]

References

1. Murphy, John. "La Roux – Quicksand (Kitsune)". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
2. Balls, David (10 September 2009). "La Roux 'won't re-release Quicksand single'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
3. "Quicksand by La Roux". Songfacts. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
4. Levine, Nick (23 November 2009). "La Roux: 'Quicksand'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
5. Petrides, Alexis (26 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
6. Paphides, Peter (25 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
7. Phares, Heather. "La Roux – La Roux – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
8. Turner, Luke (23 June 2009). "Album Review: La Roux – 'La Roux'". NME. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
9. Knight, David (3 December 2008). "La Roux's Quicksand by Kinga Burza". Promo News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
10. "Quicksand : La Roux" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
11. "Kitsuné: Quicksand – EP de La Roux" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
12. "Quicksand (Standard Version) – Single by La Roux". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
13. "La Roux : Releases : Quicksand EP". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
14. "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
15. "La Roux – Quicksand (12", Single)". Discogs. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
16. "La Roux – Quicksand (CD, Single)". Discogs. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
17. "La Roux – Quicksand (7", Ltd, S/Sided, Etch)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
18. "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
19. La Roux (liner notes). La Roux. Polydor Records. 2009. 2703635.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
20. "La Roux – Quicksand" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
21. "Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2009". Zobbel. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
22. "Quicksand/In for the Kill [Vinyl]: La Roux". Amazon (US). Retrieved 8 February 2010.
23. "Quicksand: La Roux". Amazon (UK). Retrieved 13 February 2010.