10 (Death Breast)

Album: 22, A Million (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This distorted track with contemplative lyrics about love that will never leave is the second song on 22, A Million. The song title purposely rhymes with "Beth/Rest," which concluded Bon Iver's previous self-titled album.
  • Bon Iver mainman Justin Vernon sped up a You Tube sample of Stevie Nicks singing "Wild Heart" and looped it over the opening of this song. He told Uncut:

    "It's from my favorite YouTube video of all time. It's Stevie Nicks warming up in 1981, while getting her hair done and singing 'Wild Heart.' Somebody offstage is singing harmony and it's the best piece of music."
  • The 22, A Million album was co-produced by Vernon's close friend BJ Burton. The producer told Uncut: "We never put pressure on the music. We never said, This is the next Bon Iver record. It was just making s--t that sounded fresh to us."

    One day Burton recorded Vernon playing a jittery, menacing beat on a drum kit at April Base. Burton recalled: "I just blew it out and made this weird-ass rhythm. We manipulated the tape and played with the pitch until it became this dirty blown out beach. We're like, hell yeah let's roll with this for a second."

    The idea eventually became "10 (Death Breast)."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.