Ten 22

Album: single release only (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Majorlilkween is the Estonia-born, New York City-based fashion model Alexandra Elizabeth Ljadov. She started making music in 2019 and released a series of singles in 2021. "Ten 22" is a very personal song expressing her most vivid anxieties.

    "Thirty minutes before my session, I was debating canceling it because mentally, I hadn't recovered from an anxiety attack the night prior, but I got myself together and figured if nothing else this will be a healthy way to get all my emotions out," she told Songfacts. "Therefore the first lyrics are 'Lost my head, count to 10, take a breath.' I was really telling myself just take a moment and everything will be okay."
  • The music video takes us inside a nightmare where Majorlilkween takes the form of a demon in a pink latex bodysuit. "Oftentimes I wonder when we are experiencing these crazy nightmares, is something greater than us taking control of our bodies or is it just our mind playing tricks on us and making it all up?" she explained. "I really wanted to explore that visually."

    The video was directed by Modern Day Auteur, who also did the visual for the Sting/Shirazee collaboration "Englishman/African In New York."
  • Majorlilkween gave Songfacts the backstory on the lyric "'Cause in my head you died a thousand times 22."

    "Since losing my dad as an early teen I keep having this recurring dream where my dad is alive again (oftentimes he is already sick in my dream) and he needs to die again," she said. "After writing that lyric the whole song just fell into place and the video concept was clear."
  • Musically, "Ten 22" is a new direction for Majorlilkween, her first song to use real instruments. It was produced by Ebban Maeda, who also played guitar on the track, with Ned Haweeli on drums.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.