Simplify is a song by Marina Diamandis, released under her previous stage name 'Marina and the Diamonds'. Initially featured on her self-released EP, Mermaid vs. Sailor, as the 5th track, it was then reproduced and released on The Crown Jewels, as the 3rd track, with the intention of being included on her first studio album, The Family Jewels.
The song was originally written and produced by Marina herself, then reproduced by Martin Craft.
Background[]
According to the fan-site Rockabilly, an unknown version of Simplify was released around July 7, 2007, three months prior to the release of Mermaid vs. Sailor.[1]
A reworked version of the song, most likely produced by Craft, was released with We've Got Obsessions on approximately January 17, 2008,[1] two months after the release of Mermaid vs. Sailor. Both songs were mentioned in an article from the same month, with Simplify being described as a "stripped-down version" featuring only vocals and a gentle piano.[2]
Around May 12 of the same year, an updated version of the song was posted to Marina's MySpace. The original file of this version of the song was encoded with iTunes v7.6.2, and later reposted to a website with the "Simplify/Bad Kidz CDS" album tag.[3] Assuming the software was up to date, this gives a date between April 2, and July 10, 2008.[4] The producer of this version of the song is unknown.
Trivia[]
- The lyric "do or do not, there is no try" is a quote from the fictional character Yoda from Star Wars.[5]
Official Versions[]
| Version | Released on | Date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | The Crown Jewels | 01 Jun 2009 | 2:27 | |
| Demos | ||||
| 2007 | Mermaid vs. Sailor | 23 Nov 2007 | 2:33 | |
| 2008 Demo 1 | MySpace | ~17 Jan 2008 | 2:27 | |
| 2008 Demo 2 (Re-shared with "Bad Kidz/Simplify CDS" album tag) | MySpace | ~12 May 2008 | 2:27 | |
Lyrics[]
Lyrical differences[]
In studio recorded versions, Marina sings "board games are underrated" rather than "Monopoly is underrated", presumably due to copyright/trademark reasons.
In the Mermaid vs. Sailor version of the song, Marina sings "we say, 'Well, I don't know if there's such a thing as a house in the country'" in place of a repetition of the first chorus.
[Intro]
Mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm
[Verse 1]
Lately I have realized
That I need to simplify
Thoughts pass like ships in the sky
Do or do not, there is no try
[Pre-Chorus]
Life became complicated
Modern times arrived
Board games are underrated
I want a different life
[Chorus]
They say, "Well, get out of the city"
We say, "Well, there's no such thing
As a house in the country, in the country"
[Verse 2]
I am trying to rectify
Habits that clog up my mind
No time to be meek and mild
Live simply like a child
[Pre-Chorus]
Life became complicated
Modern times arrived
Board games are underrated
I want a different life
[Chorus]
They say, "Well, get out of the city"
We say, "Well, there's no such thing
As a house in the country, in the country"
[Outro]
Simplify your life
Simplify life
(Oh, ooh, ooh, oh-oh, ooh, ooh, oh)
(Oh, ooh, ooh, oh-oh, ooh, ooh, oh)
(Ooh, ooh oh-oh)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20091009214703/http://marinaandthediamonds.net/discog/songs.shtml
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20200706001627/http://www.invisibledragon.co.uk/notquiteareview.html
- ↑ run https://dbree.org/v/d4d9fc through https://exif.tools/
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_iTunes#iTunes_7
- ↑ https://youtu.be/BQ4yd2W50No?t=19
 | |
|---|---|
| Merch • Photography • MySpace | |
| Discography | |
| Releases | Mermaid vs. Sailor |
| Tracklist | Seventeen • Horror Pop • Hermit the Frog • Daddy Was a Sailor • Simplify • Plastic Rainbow |
| Non-Album | |
| Outtakes | The Common Cold |
| Speculated | Hot, Cross Bun • Hubba • Lonely Bones • Pancake Karma • Perfect-Oh • Silver Walls • Starlight • Where Diamonds Grow |
| Misc | China's Dolls • Philosopher My Arse • This Is L.A. • Troubled Mind |
| Other Eras | |
| Mermaid vs. Sailor • The Family Jewels • Electra Heart • FROOT • LOVE + FEAR • Ancient Dreams • Sixth Studio Album (Upcoming) | |
