Siren Song (song)

"**Siren Song**" is a song performed by Bat For Lashes. It serves as the sixth track on Natasha's second album, *Two Suns*. The song was featured on the first episode of the first season of *The Vampire Diaries*.

## Music and composition

Natasha discussed the recording process of the song in a interview with *Under the Radar*:

> "I did the lead vocal for 'Siren Song' out in the forest, because I like singing amongst trees and capturing the wind blowing through, and in between the bits I was singing, I'd hold my mic up to the trees so that it picked up the sound of the wind whooshing. It's like recording a space in time. When I listen to it, I can sense and feel those landscapes a little bit, which is a personal thrill."
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In celebration of *Two Suns*' 15th anniversary in 2024, Natasha explained how the song came about in an Instagram post:

> I wrote this song in Brighton, one afternoon at the piano in my bedroom. I was living in a house that I shared with 4 of my best friends… where I had written Daniel on the bed, and Glass on my tiny Yamaha Sequencer, those rolling beats and bass lines and synths all swirling in my mind for the production: but when it came to Siren Song; it poured out of me fully formed straight onto the keyboard and that first line “are you my family?” Got me so choked up. Then there was that flip, that switch that so many people told me was their shameful place. I’ll be good until you realise I’m not, when you fall for me I know it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be running… this song was painful to write; the verses so composed, so sweet and full of good intentions and then along comes that chorus: that darn shadow self, to destroy it. Haven’t we all been there? I have always felt exposed when playing this song live, like I’m sharing with everyone that I have a dark side. But the way it ripples out and the feedback I get makes it worth stepping into that vulnerability, as we all get to share in this very human dilemma and let the spirits fly and cascade into a crumbling mess! Sometimes it’s okay to be a mess. I’m grateful for this song for letting me be real about that.
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## Critical reception

The Fader opined:

> "Sometimes the two halves duel directly, as on “Siren’s Song,” where the languid verses find Khan contemplating what it is to be a perfect, nurturing woman (keeping the bed warm and being “proud when you dazzle”), but in the chorus Pearl comes crashing in, destroying the calm with cacophonous piano chords and insistent drums."
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STEREOGUM opined:

> "The heart of the album is the “Siren Song” into “Pearl’s Dream” one-two stretch, where Khan most thoroughly leans into the duality concept of the album. Khan is nearly beside herself with heartbreak on “Siren Song,” the way she wails “how” as the piano and mini-orchestra crescendos during the final refrain of”My name is Pearl/ And I love you the best way I know how,” is a career highlight, the most nakedly vulnerable part of this powerful songwriter laid bare for all."
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## Lyrics

Are you my family?

Can I stay with you a while?

Can I stop off in your bed tonight?

I can make you smile

In the morning I'll make you breakfast

In the evening I'll warm the bed

And I'll always be happy to kiss you

Promise I'll never get sad...

'Til the siren come calling, calling

It's driving me evil, evil

Mama was a heartbreaker

Loved you the same way I do

But I've got so much wickedness and sin

My name is Pearl

And I love you the best way I know how

My blonde curls slice through your heart

When the sirens come calling

It won't be long

Until you're running

Help you dress yourself up fancy

And bathe you when you get sore

I'll be good, I think I could

Be all you would want and more and more

Be proud when you dazzle the wanderers

Glitter your eyes for the town

Tell every last boy that you're my man

I'll try not to let you down

'Til the siren come calling, calling

It's driving me evil, evil

Mama was a heartbreaker

Loved you the same way I do

But I've got so much wickedness and sin

My name is Pearl

And I love you the best way I know how

My blonde curls slice through your heart

When the stars are exploding in your eyes

It won't be long until you're running

No, it won't be long 'til you're running

It won't be long until you're running

It won't be long until you're running

Cause I'm evil, evil...

## Credits

### Personnel

* Natasha Khan — songwriting, backing vocals, percussion, guitar, production, synthesizer, piano, vibraphone
* Ben Christophers — engineering, mixing, synthesizer, production
* Alex Thomas — drums, timpani
* Ben Christophers — fiddle
* Caroline Weeks — flute
* David Wrench — engineering
* Kath Mann — viola

### Technical

* Recorded at Bryn Derwen Studios Wales & DK Studio London

## References

1. ↑ *Under the Radar* interview in 2009 (Issue #26 Spring 2009)
2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/batforlashes/reel/C2LDXEltiTA/
3. ↑ https://www.thefader.com/2009/03/05/fader-60-bat-for-lashes-cover-story
4. ↑ https://www.stereogum.com/2038264/bat-for-lashes-two-suns-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/