Nabuma Rubberband

Album: Nabuma Rubberband (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the title track of Little Dragon's fourth studio album. Vocalist Yukimi Nagono explained to The Sun why the record's name marries a common Ugandan girls' first name with an office supply item. "Nabuma is an African/Ugandian name and the name of a girl who do guys met a long time ago. She was a strong character. And I was singing the chorus to that song 'Blinded by the Rubberband.'"

    "It became the working title and when we were working on our album artwork, we saw a painting by Chinese artist Li Wel, who took a picture of his daughter," she continued. "That with the name Nabuma Rubberband felt right."
  • Vocalist Yukimi Nagono told NME this song has, "a little bit of an end-of-the-world feeling, but it's still very sweet. I really like that feeling; it makes you want to close your eyes and groove to it but at the same time it's kind of dystopian."
  • Nagano explained to NME why they decided, at the drop of hat to get the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in to add some strings for the record. "We said on Tuesday, 'Let's have a string quartet,' and then on Friday they were here and we were arranging it all," she said. "It was pretty fun, having the time to be spontaneous with things."
  • Nagano told The Guardian about the songwriting for Nabuma Rubberband. "Certain songs you think about, you scratch your head and it takes time to finish them," she said. "With other songs, it's like, 'Pow! Pow! Pow!' There's something you need to get off your chest, and this album has a mix of those types of songs. It's more melancholic and reflective but I don't think it's depressing."

    "As a band, we share values," Nagano added, "on things like the environment and Palestine – and some songs, like the title track and 'Pink Cloud,' reflect on those issues in some vague way."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?