Ares

Album: Intimacy (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song's title references Ares, better known as the Greek god of war. It is one of Intimacy's many references to Greek mythology. Singer Kele Okereke admitted on the band's record label's website that the song is about a physical fight.
  • Okereke told the story of the song on their record label's website: "(Drummer) Matt Tong came up with a drumbeat 'that we edited and f---ed with. That was pretty much it. We made it sound really harsh. Then I kind of rapped over it. I was listening to a lot of Afrika Bambatta. I was trying to get something that sounded like old school hip-hop - two guys rapping over each other. Then Garrett ('Jacknife' Lee, producer) did this great thing on the chorus where he sampled a vocal from 'Mercury' and f---ed with it - that's what the vocal is on the chorus. It's one of my favorites and it seemed like it really had to open the record."
  • Tong told Paste Magazine that the instrumentation was inspired by the big drum sound on The Chemical Brothers song "Setting Sun." He added: "That's me playing the drums, but it's been cut up and sampled."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."