| This article is about the song. To see alternate articles, check out the album with the same name. |
The Family Jewels is a song by by Marina Diamandis, released under her previous stage name 'Marina and the Diamonds'. Appearing on her first studio album The Family Jewels, it is the 14th track on the full album.
The song was written and produced by Marina alone.
Background[]
In 2008 Marina's bio on MySpace was "cut for it".[1]
Marina discussed this song and its title in a 2009 interview with 4or The Record, stating:[2]
❝ I hate titles that are shit, like 'I still love you' and stuff like that; I mean where is the imagination in that? I want people to remember the names of my songs. I love really strong imagery and for example have just written a song today called 'Family Jewels', which at the moment I am convinced will also be the name of the album, [laughing] which could change, but that title has a funny meaning as well as being a song about family. ❞
Rerelease[]
On September 25, 2021, the song was released at midnight on Deezer[3] and Tidal[4] with the date of the album release date (15 Feb 2010). It was also released and auto-generated on Marina's YouTube (topic) channel.[5] The song has been uploaded to Spotify, however, it was under the wrong Marina, an ongoing mistake since her name change. The song was moved to the correct profile[6] on September 28.[7] The song was added to Apple Music on September 29, although it is under the "Marina and The Diamonds" profile, not "MARINA".[8]
Marina has yet to comment why the song has been re-released, but the song has gained traction on TikTok.[9]
In November 2021 Marina re-released the entirety of The Family Jewels album, including the title track.
Trivia[]
- In an album track-by-track discussion with Huw Stephens, Marina stated the reason the song wasn't on the main album tracklist was because she didn't have the time to "produce it properly"
Connections[]
- Associating "fools" with "family jewels" links the song to:
- Where Diamonds Grow: "Family jewels from fools need protectin'."
- Starlight: "You, oh, you had a sad urge, to be wanted by fools. Welcoming girls that would be, snoopin', troopin' enveloping your family jewels."
Official Versions[]
| Version | Released on | Date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ | Album | The Family Jewels | 15 Feb 2010 | 4:06 |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I can't break the cycle
Am I just a fool?
Falling down like dominoes
Hit by family jewels
Pass it down from kid to kid
Chain will never end
Unless I decide to go to it
Will I see the end?
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh don't you find it strange?
Only thing we share is one last name
Did I beat you at your own game?
Typical of me to put us all to shame
[Chorus]
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamonds, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmer and suffer, can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
[Verse 2]
Family said that I decided
To live a loveless life
Is it my fault we stay divided
'Cause I got too much pride?
Pass the parcel, wrap, unwrap
And open up the locks
Out come flying all the secrets
Of Pandora's box
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh you think I'm unfit?
Little did you know that I was cut for it
No glass slipper will ever fit
'Cause I could never see a diamond in it
[Chorus]
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamonds, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmer and suffer, can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
[Bridge]
And when we're in the dark
It echoes in your heart
And when you're far away
It beckons me to stay
And when we're in the dark
It echoes in your heart
And when you're far away
It beckons me to stay
[Chorus]
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamonds, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmer and suffer, can't keep his cool
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamonds, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmer and suffer, can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
Credits[]
The Family Jewels, has not been registered with any co-writers, and on the Japanese physical credits lists Diamandis as the producer.[10] On both Apple Music and Spotify the credits for Mowgli's Road have falsely been attributed to The Family Jewels.
Personnel[]
- Marina Diamandis — Vocals, Piano
Technical[]
- Produced by Marina Diamandis
- Written by Marina Diamandis
- Mastering by Dave Turner at 360 Mastering, London
- Published by Warner Chappell Music Publishing Ltd / Sony / ATV Music Publishing Ltd / Copyright Control
Registration[]
The song was registered once on ASCAP/BMI[11] and GEMA.[12] Neither version list a co-writer.
References[]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20081224232034/http://www.myspace.com:80/marinaandthediamonds
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090221052027/http://4ortherecord.com/Marina-and-the-DiamondsInterview.html
- ↑ https://www.deezer.com/en/album/261084642
- ↑ https://tidal.com/browse/track/198761268
- ↑ https://youtu.be/sxKExvAujeg
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CwfuxIqcltXDGjfZsMd9A
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/7ugKeifrnNVBnnDDKNoL0l?si=rKJRaPWKQKmqSwrK_4Qc1A&dl_branch=1&nd=1
- ↑ https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-family-jewels-single/1587771368
- ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/music/the-family-jewels-marina-and-the-diamonds-7005800515367979781
- ↑
- ↑ https://www.ascap.com/repertory#
ISWC: T9057598353 Work ID: 880952078 - ↑ https://online.gema.de/werke/search.faces?lang=en
GEMA work no.: 11179318-001
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