Galang
Encyclopedia
"Galang" is the first single from M.I.A.
's album Arular
. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam (a.k.a. M.I.A.), Justine Frischmann
, Ross Orton
and Steve Mackey
. The word 'galang' comes from the Jamaican patois for 'go on'. The first time Arulpragasam released "Galang", in 2003, it was released on an indie label, Showbiz Records, who only pressed 500 vinyl copies of the single. As a result of her fame, it was re-released in November 2004 when she signed to XL Records and was released for a third time as "Galang '05" in 2005 (see 2003
, 2004
, and 2005 in music
).
"Galang" was the second song Arulpragasam wrote on her Roland MC-505
.
, M.I.A. decided to video document the band's last tour together. There, she was introduced to the Roland MC-505. While vacationing together in Bequia
in the Caribbean, M.I.A. began experimenting with Elastica singer Justine Frischmann's 505. She adopted her stage name, "M.I.A.", standing for "Missing In Acton
" during this time, following from her documentary film in Jaffna and her art exhibition of the same name. In London, where M.I.A. shared an apartment with Frischmann, M.I.A. worked with a simple set-up (a second-hand 4-track
tape machine, the 505
, and a radio microphone) to compose and record a six song demo tape
that included "Lady Killa", "M.I.A.", and "Galang". The demo made an immediate impact in dance clubs, college radio, fashion shows and record labels. Steve Mackey
and Ross Orton
, known professionally as Cavemen
, worked further on "Galang". Working with them in a professional studio, she added a bass line and new vocals to give the song "a more analogue sound" than was possible with the 505. The track was co-written by Frischmann, whose input M.I.A. described as "refreshing". She initially hoped to feature guest vocalists on the album, but was unable to due to budget constraints and other artists' unfamiliarity with her work. She chose to perform all the vocals herself, saying, "I just quietly got on with it ... I didn't wanna convince anyone it was good. I felt it was much better to prove that I could be an individual." M.I.A. said about the song:
. The single became popular with DJs on BBC Radio 1
, such as Gilles Peterson
and Pete Tong
, who included the song as part of his Essential Selection
radio set in 2003. File-sharing of the single, followed by the fast propagation of it around the Internet
by word-of-mouth increased its international listenership. The success of the release led to Dickins signing M.I.A to XL Recordings.
Michaelangelo Matos in the Seattle Weekly
described the words "London calling, speak the slang now/Boys say wha' gwan, girls say wha' wha'," as "tempting" taunts "from the top," whilst appreciating the "jump-rope skip abetted with a flat-four stomp at the end of the second bar, great groaning wowing synth-bass, post-Diwali hand claps
, and what sound like tuned bottles clinking along every so often." He continued "The lift-up-and-over moment comes at 2:30, when the beat subsides and an a cappella "Ya-ya-hey! Whoa-yay-oh-yay-ohhh!" so simultaneously plainspoken and transported you can feel the concrete beneath their sneakers and see the clear skies beyond the council flats." Sasha Frere-Jones
, writing in The New Yorker
, appreciated the track's lyrics, feeling the track's "'Ya ya heeey, woy oy ee he hay yo' wasn't a pop chorus, or any sound that you'd hear on American radio, even if the station were playing, you know, world music
. It's a voice from a place where kids throw rocks at tanks, where people pull down walls with their bare hands. It could be the sound of a carnival
, or a riot
." i-D
called the song "massive," while Dazed & Confused
described the song as a "nagging electro bashment monster." It was also named Rough Trade's "Single of the Year." "Galang" placed highly in "Best of Year" and "Best of decade/Alltime" lists in several publications in various countries.
M.I.A. performed the song on November 5, 2004 on Sen kväll med Luuk
and on 27 May 2005 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
. "Galang" was featured in an advertisement for the Honda Civic
, and was also used in the episode "The Abyss" from season 2 on Entourage
. The song will also be featured on the 2008 video game Dancing Stage Universe 2
. The song featured in the 2008 film Pride and Glory
.
Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer
recorded an acoustic jazz version of Galang with his trio for the album Historicity
.
and art directed by M.I.A. Close friend Carri Mundane
designed a tracksuit for Arulpragasam specifically for the video. The video received some airplay on MTV2
's Subterranean
, and was also shown when she appeared as a guest on the show on May 29, 2005.
CD: 2
12" vinyl
CD: 2
7" vinyl
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
's album Arular
Arular
Arular is the 2005 debut album by British musician M.I.A. Originally set for a September 2004 release, the album was delayed due to problems obtaining permission to use samples. Arular was finally released in the US on 22 March 2005 and a month later in the UK with a slightly different track...
. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam (a.k.a. M.I.A.), Justine Frischmann
Justine Frischmann
Justine Elinor Frischmann is an English singer and guitarist, best known for being the lead singer of the now defunct band Elastica...
, Ross Orton
Ross Orton
Ross Orton is a musician/songwriter/producer based in Sheffield, England.He is known for his work as drummer in Add N to and as part of electro trio Fat Truckers, and since that band's split in 2004 has formed the Cavemen songwriting/production duo with Pulp's Steve Mackey...
and Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey is a British musician and record producer best known for playing bass guitar in the band Pulp. He also played bass for Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker in the latter's solo career, and worked as a songwriter and producer with artists such as M.I.A...
. The word 'galang' comes from the Jamaican patois for 'go on'. The first time Arulpragasam released "Galang", in 2003, it was released on an indie label, Showbiz Records, who only pressed 500 vinyl copies of the single. As a result of her fame, it was re-released in November 2004 when she signed to XL Records and was released for a third time as "Galang '05" in 2005 (see 2003
2003 in music
-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
, 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
, and 2005 in music
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
).
"Galang" was the second song Arulpragasam wrote on her Roland MC-505
Roland MC-505
The Roland MC-505 is a combination of MIDI sequencer/arranger, synthesizer, and drum machine with built-in real-time Arpeggiator, LFO, VCF and Envelope Knobs for tweaking...
.
Composition
Following her work as a photographer/graphic designer and music video director for the band ElasticaElastica
Elastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...
, M.I.A. decided to video document the band's last tour together. There, she was introduced to the Roland MC-505. While vacationing together in Bequia
Bequia
Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines. It is part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and is approximately 15 km from the nation's capital, Kingstown.-Geography:The island capital is Port Elizabeth...
in the Caribbean, M.I.A. began experimenting with Elastica singer Justine Frischmann's 505. She adopted her stage name, "M.I.A.", standing for "Missing In Acton
Acton, London
Acton is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross.At the time of the 2001 census, Acton, comprising the wards of East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 53,689 people...
" during this time, following from her documentary film in Jaffna and her art exhibition of the same name. In London, where M.I.A. shared an apartment with Frischmann, M.I.A. worked with a simple set-up (a second-hand 4-track
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
tape machine, the 505
Roland MC-505
The Roland MC-505 is a combination of MIDI sequencer/arranger, synthesizer, and drum machine with built-in real-time Arpeggiator, LFO, VCF and Envelope Knobs for tweaking...
, and a radio microphone) to compose and record a six song demo tape
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
that included "Lady Killa", "M.I.A.", and "Galang". The demo made an immediate impact in dance clubs, college radio, fashion shows and record labels. Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey is a British musician and record producer best known for playing bass guitar in the band Pulp. He also played bass for Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker in the latter's solo career, and worked as a songwriter and producer with artists such as M.I.A...
and Ross Orton
Ross Orton
Ross Orton is a musician/songwriter/producer based in Sheffield, England.He is known for his work as drummer in Add N to and as part of electro trio Fat Truckers, and since that band's split in 2004 has formed the Cavemen songwriting/production duo with Pulp's Steve Mackey...
, known professionally as Cavemen
Cavemen (songwriters)
Cavemen is a British songwriting/production/remix duo comprising Steve Mackey, formerly of Pulp, and Ross Orton of Fat Truckers. The duo has produced and remixed songs for M.I.A., Kelis, Cornershop, The Kills, Jentina, and Death from Above 1979.-References:...
, worked further on "Galang". Working with them in a professional studio, she added a bass line and new vocals to give the song "a more analogue sound" than was possible with the 505. The track was co-written by Frischmann, whose input M.I.A. described as "refreshing". She initially hoped to feature guest vocalists on the album, but was unable to due to budget constraints and other artists' unfamiliarity with her work. She chose to perform all the vocals herself, saying, "I just quietly got on with it ... I didn't wanna convince anyone it was good. I felt it was much better to prove that I could be an individual." M.I.A. said about the song:
Release, reception and song use
The single/demo was the first release for Jonathan Dickins' Showbiz Records, a label that operated through Instant KarmaInstant Karma (record label)
Instant Karma is an independent record label created by former Warner Music Group chairman and head of the BPI, Rob Dickins, in 1999.The label was founded by Dickins after his resignation from Warner Music, where he gained fame for his track record of signing female vocalists such as Enya and The...
. The single became popular with DJs on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, such as Gilles Peterson
Gilles Peterson
Gilles Peterson , is a DJ, record collector and record label owner from London, UK. Through his labels Acid Jazz, Talkin' Loud, and latterly Brownswood Recordings, he has been associated with the careers of well-known artists of the 1990s such as Erykah Badu, Roni Size and Jamiroquai...
and Pete Tong
Pete Tong
Peter "Pete" Tong is an English DJ who works for BBC Radio 1. He is known worldwide by fans of electronic music for hosting programmes such as Essential Mix and Essential Selection on the radio service, which can be heard through Internet radio streams, for his record label FFRR Records, and for...
, who included the song as part of his Essential Selection
Essential Selection
The Essential Selection was a radio show on Friday evenings on BBC Radio 1, hosted by Pete Tong. It started in early 1991 and showcased the latest electronic dance music, with an emphasis on house...
radio set in 2003. File-sharing of the single, followed by the fast propagation of it around the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
by word-of-mouth increased its international listenership. The success of the release led to Dickins signing M.I.A to XL Recordings.
Michaelangelo Matos in the Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The Weekly...
described the words "London calling, speak the slang now/Boys say wha' gwan, girls say wha' wha'," as "tempting" taunts "from the top," whilst appreciating the "jump-rope skip abetted with a flat-four stomp at the end of the second bar, great groaning wowing synth-bass, post-Diwali hand claps
Clapping
A clap is the sound made by striking together two flat surfaces, as in the body parts of humans or animals. Humans clap with the palms of their hands, often in a constant drone to express appreciation or approval , but also in rhythm to match sounds in music and dance...
, and what sound like tuned bottles clinking along every so often." He continued "The lift-up-and-over moment comes at 2:30, when the beat subsides and an a cappella "Ya-ya-hey! Whoa-yay-oh-yay-ohhh!" so simultaneously plainspoken and transported you can feel the concrete beneath their sneakers and see the clear skies beyond the council flats." Sasha Frere-Jones
Sasha Frere-Jones
Sasha Frere-Jones is an American writer, music critic, and musician. He has written for Pretty Decorating, ego trip, Hit It And Quit It, Mean, Slant, The New York Post, The Wire, The Village Voice, Slate, Spin, and The New York Times...
, writing in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, appreciated the track's lyrics, feeling the track's "'Ya ya heeey, woy oy ee he hay yo' wasn't a pop chorus, or any sound that you'd hear on American radio, even if the station were playing, you know, world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
. It's a voice from a place where kids throw rocks at tanks, where people pull down walls with their bare hands. It could be the sound of a carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
, or a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
." i-D
I-D
i-D is a British magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art and youth culture. i-D was founded by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. The first issue was published in the form of a hand-stapled fanzine with text produced on a typewriter...
called the song "massive," while Dazed & Confused
Dazed & Confused (magazine)
Dazed & Confused is a British style magazine, that was set up in 1992 and published monthly. Its founding editors were Jefferson Hack and Rankin...
described the song as a "nagging electro bashment monster." It was also named Rough Trade's "Single of the Year." "Galang" placed highly in "Best of Year" and "Best of decade/Alltime" lists in several publications in various countries.
M.I.A. performed the song on November 5, 2004 on Sen kväll med Luuk
Sen kväll med Luuk
Sen kväll med Luuk was one of Sweden's and TV4's most popular talk shows ever and started airing in 1996. Kristian Luuk's show had ratings around 1.5 million viewers every week. Kristian had many celebrity guests like Cher, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey...
and on 27 May 2005 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
. "Galang" was featured in an advertisement for the Honda Civic
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
, and was also used in the episode "The Abyss" from season 2 on Entourage
Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
. The song will also be featured on the 2008 video game Dancing Stage Universe 2
Dancing Stage Universe 2
Dancing Stage Universe 2, or Universe 2, is a music video game that was announced by Konami Germany on July 17, 2008 for the European Xbox 360...
. The song featured in the 2008 film Pride and Glory
Pride and Glory (film)
Pride and Glory is a 2008 crime drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor. It stars Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, and Noah Emmerich. The film was released on October 24, 2008, in the United States....
.
Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin...
recorded an acoustic jazz version of Galang with his trio for the album Historicity
Historicity
Historicity may mean:*the quality of being part of recorded history, as opposed to prehistory*the quality of being part of history as opposed to being a historical myth or legend, for example:** Historicity of the Iliad**Historicity...
.
Music video
The accompanying video for "Galang", featuring multiple M.I.A.s amid a backdrop of her graffiti artwork animated and brought to life, was directed by Ruben FleischerRuben Fleischer
Ruben Fleischer is an American film director, advertisement/copy writer, and music video director. He is currently based in Los Angeles. He is best known as the director of the critically acclaimed and financially successful Zombieland, his first feature film. He followed it by making 30 Minutes...
and art directed by M.I.A. Close friend Carri Mundane
Carri Mundane
Carri Mundane is an English fashion designer. Born as Carri Munden, she is also credited as Carri Mundane and CassettePlaya, her fashion label. She currently works and lives in London.-Career:...
designed a tracksuit for Arulpragasam specifically for the video. The video received some airplay on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
's Subterranean
Subterranean (TV series)
Subterranean was a weekly music show on MTV2 dedicated to alternative, indie, and underground music and artists. The show was made as the modern-day continuation of MTV's 120 Minutes...
, and was also shown when she appeared as a guest on the show on May 29, 2005.
Showbiz Records 12" Vinyl
- "Galang" – 3:35
- "Galang" [a capella] – 3:18
- "Galang" [instrumental] – 3:40
"Galang"
CD: 1- "Galang" 3:35
- "Galang" [Cavemen Remix] – 3:55
CD: 2
- "Galang" 3:35
- "Galang" [South Rakkas Mix] - 3:55
- "Galang" [Cavemen Remix] - 3:58
- "Galang" [Cavemen Remix Instrumental] – 3:58
12" vinyl
- "Galang" [Cavemen's remix] – 3:55
- "Galang" [Cavemen's remix] [instrumental] – 3:55
- "Galang" [South Rakkas's remix] – 3:52
- "Galang" [South Rakkas's remix] [instrumental] – 3:52
"Galang '05"
CD: 1- "Galang '05" – 3:35
- "Galang" [ Dave KellyDave Kelly (producer)Dave Kelly is a Jamaican Record Producer. He began his career as an Engineer in the late eighties. After getting into producing at the "Penthouse" label of Donovan Germain, he started his own label "Madhouse" together with business partner Janet Davidson in 1991...
remix] (featuring ChamCham (singer)Cham is a Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist, most well known for his 2006 single "Ghetto Story" from his major label debut album of the same name, a song which led to multiple "story" songs by other artists in a similar vein. He is currently signed to Atlantic Records, and was...
)
CD: 2
- "Galang '05" – 3:35
- "Galang" [ Serj TankianSerj TankianSerj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
remix] - "U.R.A.Q.T." [DJ C remix]
7" vinyl
- "Galang '05" – 3:35
- "Galang" [Dave Kelly remix] (featuring Cham)
Best of All-time Lists, Best of Decade Lists
- Blender (USA) - Top 500 Songs of the 80s-00s 81
- Pitchfork (USA) - The 100 Best Singles of 2000-2004 20
- Stylus (USA) - The 50 Best Singles of 2000-2004 41
- Sonic (Sweden) - The 50 Best Songs of the 21st Century 43
- Rolling Stone (Spain) - The 100 Best Songs of the 21st Century 6
- Porcys (Poland) - 100 Singles 2000-2004 11
End of Year Lists
- Blender (USA) - Songs of the Year 39
- Eye Weekly Canadian Critics Poll - Singles of the Year 7
- Pitchfork (USA) - Singles of the Year 4
- Rolling Stone (USA) - Singles of the Year 10
- Stylus (USA) - Singles of the Year 12
- Village Voice (USA) - Singles of the Year 8
- Eins Live (Germany) - Singles of the Year 23
- Laut (Germany) - Songs of the Year 44
- Zündfunk (Germany) - Singles of the Year 1
- Iguana (Spain) - Songs of the Year 93
Personnel
- Maya Arulpragasam - main performer, artwork, producer
- Steve Mackey - producer, mixing
- Ross Orton - producer, mixing
Charts
| Chart (2004) | Peak |
|---|---|
| Canadian Singles Chart | 19 |
| UK Singles Chart | 77 |
| Chart (2005) | Peak |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales | 11 |
| UK Singles Chart | 77 |