Within

Album: Random Access Memories (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Questions of identity abound on this piano ballad as a deep vocoder sings about not understanding the world. "There's a world inside me that I can't explain," the forlorn android laments. "Many rooms to explore but the doors look the same. Looking for someone, please tell me who I am. I am lost I can't even remember my name." It's the sound of a robot crying.
  • The song opens with a flamenco piano solo by Chilly Gonzales. The Paris-based Canadian pianist and producer is best known for being sampled on the outro of Drake's single "Marvin's Room." "He's a friend and a great pianist, one of the best musicians of his generation,. Daft Punk told French publication Le Nouvel Observateur: "'Within' is one of the first songs we recorded. It is very minimal: a little rhythm section, bass, piano. Create the most with very little, this is the idea behind this title."

    Gonzales had previously recorded a cover version of Daft Punk's song "Too Long" that appeared in the 2003 album Daft Club.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.