House of Mirrors

Album: Kingdom of Rust (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jez Williams (guitarist) told Drowned In Sound: "The lyrics are inspired by a haunted house really. The song itself though is us trying to write a classic garage rock song." He added: "I guess the main inspiration behind that song was rawness. We actually wanted it to sound like it was recorded on a tape recorder, so that's what we did! We managed to get hold of this authentic 1970s tape recorder and the song was recorded entirely on that piece of equipment." Williams concluded: "To me its also reminiscent of heavier elements of Northern Soul. R Dean Taylor's 'There's A Ghost In My House' is one of my favourite songs of all time and to me it's kind of our take on that."
  • Andy Williams (drums) revealed to Drowned In Sound that this song "almost didn't make the final selection on Kingdom of Rust. It was that close to getting binned." Jez Williams added: "We literally stripped it bare, started again, then re-built it. It was one of those we had to wrestle to the ground, literally beat the living daylights out of it!"
  • Another inspiration for this song were the Nuggets and Pebbles compilation albums of 1960s garage and psychedelic rock that were put together by Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, and Lenny Kaye, later lead guitarist for Patti Smith.
  • The Doves told the NME April 11, 2009: "We mixed this through a 1970s East German tape recorder so it sounded crunched. It's full of attitude, it's about your past haunting you."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

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.