"Matilda" is a song by British
rock band
alt-J
Alt-J (stylised as alt-J, real name Δ) are an English indie rock band formed in 2007 in Leeds. Their lineup includes Joe Newman (guitar/lead vocals), Thom Sonny Green (drums), Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards/vocals), and formerly Gwilym Sainsbur ...
from their debut studio album ''
An Awesome Wave'', released on 10 January 2012 as a digital download. It was released as a split single with "Fitzpleasure" on 24 February as a digital download and on 10" triangle shaped vinyl. It was written by Joe Newman, Gus Unger-Hamilton, Gwilym Sainsbury and Thom Green and produced by
Charlie Andrew
Charles Andrew, (born 1980) is a British record producer, mixer and songwriter. He is best known for his work with indie band Alt-J.
In 2013 he was awarded 'Breakthrough Producer of the Year' by his peers at Music Producers Guild awards, in 20 ...
. The song relates to the movie ''
Léon'', specifically the relationship between the main character (a hitman) and a young girl called Mathilda. The band would later release the song "Leon", a tribute to the main character of the film. The cover image is a photograph of
Ball's Pyramid.
The song has a YouTube video featuring imagery of human faces which steadily morph so that every so often you are looking at a new face. This video was a neat gimmick as at the time of release "Alt-J" was the shortcut for a YouTube video to rewind 7 seconds which was the perfect amount of time to go from one "finished" facial image to another so you would see a new face each time you pressed it. This no longer is the case as the shortcut is simply "j" and is now a 10 second skip so it no longer syncs up with the video.
Track listing
Digital download
#"Matilda" – 3:48
10" single
#"Matilda" – 3:48
#"Fitzpleasure" – 3:39
7" single
#"Matilda" – 3:48
#"Matilda" (Johnson Somerset Radio Mix)
Digital iTunes EP
#"Matilda" – 3:48
#"Fitzpleasure" – 3:39
#"Matilda" (Remix) – 3:49
#"Fitzpleasure" (bretonLABS Ghost Remix) – 4:23
Charts
Certifications
Release history
References
{{authority control
2012 singles
2012 songs
Alt-J songs
Songs written by Thom Sonny Green