Little Talks

"Little Talks"
Single by Of Monsters and Men
from the album My Head Is an Animal
Released 20 December 2011
Recorded 2011
Genre Indie pop, indie folk
Length
  • 4:26 (album version)
  • 4:03 (radio edit)
Label Universal Republic
Writer(s)
  • Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
  • Ragnar Þórhallsson
Producer(s)
  • Of Monsters And Men
  • Aron Þór Arnarsson
Of Monsters and Men singles chronology
"Little Talks"
(2011)		 "Dirty Paws"
(2012)
Music video
"Little Talks" at WeWereMonkeys

"Little Talks" is the debut single by Icelandic indie folk/indie pop rock band Of Monsters and Men. The song was released as the lead single from their debut studio album, My Head Is an Animal (2011). It was also released on the band's EP Into the Woods. It was written by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson (of Of Monsters and Men), and produced by Aron Þór Arnarsson. The song is written in the key of D-flat major.

Song

USA Today described the song as a "monster hit", noting its "galloping chorus" and "reverb-heavy production".[1] PBS Arts described the song's "rolling, infectious energy" and foreboding lyrics.[2] According to Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, the song describes two loving people talking past each other and implies one is recently deceased, saying "maybe one person isn't really hearing the other one."[1] The song was inspired by an old house she moved into.[1] However, the song has also been criticized for its uncanny likeness to the prior release "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.[3]

Commercial performance

In August 2011, Philadelphia's Radio 104.5 began playing "Little Talks" and propelled the band to nationwide popularity in the United States.[4] It has sold over 2 million copies in the US as of March 2013.[5]

"Little Talks" reached number 12 in the UK charts and re-entered the UK Top 40 in 2013.[6] The song has peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming their first top 20 single in the US. The song holds the record for the longest climb to reach the top 40 of the chart with 30 weeks.[7] "Little Talks" is also the highest charting single to date on that chart by an Icelandic artist. On 21 July 2012, it topped the Alternative Songs list and remained for a second week, and ultimately ranked as the third most successful song on the year end list. "Little Talks" was later certified Platinum in the United States, becoming their first song to do so. The song was listed for 48 weeks. On January 26, 2013, the song reached #2 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2012.

Music video

The music video was released to the public via YouTube on 2 February 2012.[8]

It starts with five sky-sailors (played by the male members of the band) spotting something falling from the sky. When they investigate, the object splits open to reveal a beautiful female creature (played by Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdóttir). She joins the sailors on their sky ship, but they are attacked by an enormous two-headed bird. The lady magically vanquishes the bird, but the ship is wrecked, forcing the sailors and the lady to continue on foot into a cave. When they emerge, they are confronted by another beast, which is once again defeated by the lady. They push onwards, but as they are crossing a frozen body of water, the ice breaks, plunging them into the frigid depths and into the clutches of a sea monster. The lady dispatches the monster, and they use a floating iceberg to ascend into the skies, where they are met by an enormous animal clad in the same colors as the female creature, who smiles and rejoins her people as the song ends.[9]

The video was created by the production firm WeWereMonkeys[10] who also produced the video for the band's 2013 single "King and Lionheart".[11]

The music video was nominated in the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Art Direction in a Video, but lost to Katy Perry's "Wide Awake".[12] A lyric video was released in 2014 in the presence of the video. The video features the sailors in their sky ship with the women following behind them.

In 2013 YouTube star Kurt Hugo Schneider and Coca-Cola teamed up to create music videos featuring creative covers of two 2013 hits namely "Little Talks" and Calvin Harris' "Feel So Close" for a campaign called "The Sounds of AHH". "Little Talks" shows Schneider playing only Coca-Cola bottles, glasses and cans. Featured in the version are the vocals of Kevin Olusola. Commercial edits of the video aired on season 13 premiere of American Idol on January 14, 2014 on FOX.[13]

The song was featured in the third season premiere of Covert Affairs and on an episode of Some Girls.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–14) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[14] 7
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[17] 11
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] 55
Canadian Alternative Rock[19] 2
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[20] 2
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 63
Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[22] 9
France (SNEP)[23] 29
Germany (Official German Charts)[24] 5
Iceland (Tónlist)[25] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[26] 1
Italy (FIMI)[27] 3
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[28] 72
Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard)[29] 6
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[30] 1
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[31] 43
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 4
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[34] 4
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[35] 12
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[36] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] 21
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 24
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[6] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 20
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[41] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[42] 20
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 6
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[44] 1
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[45] 3
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[46] 3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 18
Venezuela Top 200 (Record Report)[48] 108

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
Australia (ARIA)[49] 38
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[50] 11
Germany (Media Control AG)[51] 13
Poland (ZPAV)[52] 49
US Rock Songs[53] 7
US Alternative Songs[54] 3
Chart (2013) Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[55] 38
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[56] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 65

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[58] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[59] Gold 15,000*
Belgium (BEA)[60] Platinum 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[61] Platinum 80,000^
Germany (BVMI)[62] 3× Gold 450,000^
Italy (FIMI)[63] 2× Platinum 60,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[64] 2× Platinum 30,000*
Sweden (GLF)[65] Platinum 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[66] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Platinum 600,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[68] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mansfield, Brian (2012-03-30). "On the Verge: Of Monsters and Men". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
  2. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"". PBS Arts. Public Broadcasting System.
  3. ↑ "How Much Royalty Money Does Of Monsters and Men Owe Edward Sharpe...". 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  4. ↑ "Best New Releases, April 3rd, Vol. I – Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers, Max and the Moon, Lux, Black Mountain, Twin Steps | Best new indie rock music songs, albums, bands, artists and festivals". Indierockcafe.com. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  5. ↑ Grein, Paul (6 March 2013). "Week Ending March 3, 2013. Songs: Is The Right Song #1?". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Archive Chart: 2012-09-08" UK Singles Chart.
  7. ↑ "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Nicki Minaj Passes Madonna, 'Voice' Finalists Debut". Billboard.
  8. ↑ Of Monsters and Men — Little Talks. 2012-02-02.
  9. ↑ "Discovery: Of Monsters and Men — Page". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "WeWereMonkeys — Of Monsters and Men: Little Talks". Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "WeWereMonkeys — Of Monsters and Men: King and Lionheart". Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Best Art Direction Winner 2012 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA)". MTV. Viacom International Inc. 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Behind the Bottles: 5 Questions With Kurt Hugo Schneider". The Coca-Cola Company.
  14. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  15. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  18. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Of Monsters and Men.
  19. ↑ Rock, Canadian (2012-06-12). "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock — June 12, 2012". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  20. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201238 into search. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  21. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201425 into search. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Chart Search Results — Euro Digital Songs 2012-09-15". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  23. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in French). Les classement single.
  24. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  25. ↑ "Netlistinn viku 40, 2011". Tonlist.is. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  26. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 33, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  27. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Top Digital Download.
  28. ↑ "Chart Search Results — Japan Hot 100 Singles 2012-06-09". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  29. ↑ "Chart Search Results — Luxembourg Digital Songs 2012-08-04". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  30. ↑ "Mexico Ingles Airplay — December 8, 2012". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Chart Search Results — Mexico Airplay 2012-11-10". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  32. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Of Monsters and Men search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  33. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Top 40 Singles.
  34. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100.
  35. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-08-17". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  36. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search.
  37. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" Canciones Top 50.
  38. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Singles Top 100.
  39. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Of Monsters and Men.
  41. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Of Monsters and Men.
  42. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Of Monsters and Men.
  43. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Of Monsters and Men.
  44. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for Of Monsters and Men.
  45. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Of Monsters and Men.
  46. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for Of Monsters and Men.
  47. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Of Monsters and Men.
  48. ↑ "Nuevas Esta Semana". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. 2012-10-13. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14.
  49. ↑ "ARIA 2012 Top 100 Albums Chart" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  50. ↑ JAAROVERZICHTEN 2012 : Singles (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  51. ↑ "Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2012" (in German). VIVA. Viacom International Media Networks. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  52. ↑ "TOP digital utworów - 2012" (in Polish). ZPAV. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  53. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Rock Songs 1-10". Billboard.com. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  54. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Alternative Songs 1-10". Billboard.com. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  55. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  56. ↑ "Top 50 Canciones Anual 2013". Promuiscae.es. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  57. ↑ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  59. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 10 November 2012. Enter Of Monsters and Men in the field Interpret. Enter Little Talks in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
  60. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2013". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  61. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Music Canada. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  62. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Of Monsters and Men; 'Little Talks')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  63. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 10 January 2015. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Of Monsters and Men in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  64. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". Recorded Music NZ.
  65. ↑ "Artikelinformation: Of Monsters and Men — Little talks (must search for and navigate to specific album information)". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  66. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Of Monsters and Men; 'Little Talks')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  67. ↑ "British single certifications – Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 May 2016. Enter Little Talks in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  68. ↑ "American single certifications – Of Monsters & Men – Little Talks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 September 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
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