Moving On

Album: La Petite Morte (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lead single from James' La Petite Morte album, this was inspired by the death of lead singer Tim Booth's mother in 2012 as well as the loss of his best friend, Gabrielle.
  • The video was animated by Ainslie Henderson, who uses something as simple as ball of yellow wool to great effect. The animator was inspired by a phone conversation with Booth, when the singer described his mother's death as a birth. The animator recalled: "Some days later this conversation echoes around my mind while I'm listening to 'Moving On' I walk past a typical Scottish woollen knitwear shop. My eyes flit over a ball of wool in the window while the word 'unwinding' is sung."
  • Asked by HMV.com where the album title came from, Tim Booth replied: "My mum had died, who was one of the people I was closest to in the world, and a close friend had died in a short space of time, so the lyrical theme is around death and rebirth. Although the record is very uplifting, but death is the defining theme."

    "We wanted a title that reflected that but didn't sound too depressing," he continued. "We went through everything from 'Die!' to 'Death!', none of them sounded very appetising. I think this title was my suggestion, just because it had the pun on sexuality (La Petite Mort is also a French euphemism for an orgasm), so it sounded a bit more fun and not so depressing."

Comments: 1

  • Jimmy from ScotlandSongs a work of art well done
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.