Settle Down (song)

## Kimbra

**"Settle Down"** is a song written by Kimbra and François Tétaz and features the production of Tétaz and M-Phazes and was recorded from 2008-2010. The song served as Kimbra's debut single and the lead single for her debut album *Vows*. It released on June 6th, 2010 and was re-released on November 1st, 2011. It is the first song Kimbra has released stems/multitracks for.

## Background

This is one of Kimbra's earliest songs, being written at the age of sixteen years old. It was then revised during the production of *Vows* with François Tétaz. The song is about having to conform to certain roles and desires, in this case being marriage/love, at a early age.

## Composition

Composed in the key of A minor, this song prominently features Kimbra's layered vocals. It features syncopated handclaps and clav in the A section and a lush string section is introduced in the B section.

## Music video

A music video for "Settle Down" was first released onto YouTube on 6 July 2010 at a total length of four minutes and eight seconds. The music video was chosen by United States iTunes as its "Music Video of the Week".

The music video begins with the title of the song in black and white with a man narrating in the background. Kimbra is then shown wearing a little black dress on a stage with red curtains and behind her are porcelain dolls on shelves in rows. It then changes to a scene of a young girl that is seated at a dinner table singing with a male mannequin. Both are dressed in a '50s era style. Intercut with scenes of Kimbra, the young girl is in front of a mirror, brushing her hair with the mannequin feigning sleep in the background. After Kimbra, another young girl in a white dress and pearl necklace is seen outside on a picnic with the same mannequin, however, the first young girl sees the two of them together. At home, the first young girl begins to clean a home, prepare a meal, and dresses up for the mannequin, who at the end of all the hard work shes done, is absent. Kimbra is shown again, but the two girls are now with her, both dressed in white nightgowns. They dance as backup dancers or hype girls for Kimbra as the dolls on the shelves are set on fire. The video ends with a "The End" text.

## Lyrics

Boom, boom, boom, ba
Boom, boom, boom, ba
Boom, boom, boom, ba
Boom, boom, boom, ba

I wanna settle down
I wanna settle down
Won't you settle down with me?
Settle down

We can settle at a table
A table for two
Won't you wine and dine with me?
Settle down
I wanna raise a child
I wanna raise a child
Won't you raise a child with me?
Raise a child
We'll call her Nebraska
Nebraska Jones
She'll have your nose
Just so you know

I wanna settle down
I wanna settle down
Won't you settle down with me?
Settle down

Run from Angela Vickers
I saw her with you
Monday morning small talking
On the avenue
She's got a fancy car
She wants to take you far
From the city lights and sounds
Deep into the dark

Star so light and star so bright
First star I see tonight
Star so light and star so bright
Keep him by my side

I wanna settle down
I wanna settle down
Baby there's no need to run
I'll love you well
I wanna settle down
It's time to bring you down
On just one knee for now
Let's make our vows

Star so light and star so bright
First star I see tonight
Star so light and star so bright
Keep him by my side

Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh
Hey, oh oh

## Credits

* Lead vocals – Kimbra
* Producers – Francois Tetaz, M-Phazes
* Lyrics – Kimbra Johnson, Francois Tetaz
* Label: Warner Bros. Records

Publishing:

* Kimbra Lee Johnson P/K/A Kimbra (BMI) Sony/ATV Songs Publishing Australia P/L, W.B. Music Corp / GloJoe Music Inc. (BMI)