Obsessions
| "Obsessions" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Marina and the Diamonds | ||||
| from the album The Family Jewels | ||||
| A-side | "Mowgli's Road (Double A-side)" | |||
| Released | February 16, 2009 (as double A-side) | |||
| Genre | Indie Pop | |||
| Length | 3:38 | |||
| Label | Neon Gold 679 Recordings | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Liam Howe | |||
| Marina and the Diamonds singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Obsessions" on YouTube | ||||
| } | ||||
Listen to the song Obsessions or Buy it on amazon
Background and Release
"Obsessions" was released as a double A-side single along with "Mowgli's Road" on 16 February 2009 via Neon Gold Records. The song was later included as track 6 on Marina's debut studio album The Family Jewels (2010).
A demo version titled "We've Got Obsessions" was uploaded to her MySpace page in early 2008. Neon Gold formally posted "Obsessions" on their blog in December 2009, citing delays as having pushed back its release.[1]
Marina has said in a track-by-track commentary that "Obsessions" is about relationship complexities, and that the song, "sonically, it's very bare and exposed... it's about a relationship, but... about two or three different stories... Everyone does have obsessions."[1]
The single also spawned a remix by producer oOoOO, which was released in 2010.[2]
Composition and Lyrics
"Obsessions" is relatively minimal in its instrumentation, allowing the focus to rest on vocals and lyrical narrative.[3] The lyrics contain vivid, stream-of-consciousness imagery. One notable verse references a supermarket scenario:
"Supermarket, oh, what packet of crackers to pick? They're all the same, one brand, one name — But really they're not..."[4]
This line has been interpreted as an allusion to obsessive thought patterns or anxiety (often linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, since she also mentions it on the song).[5] The lyrics also contain repetition and self-reflective lines such as "I wanna erase every nasty thought that bugs me every day of every week," which further suggest internal struggle.[6]
Marina has explained (in interviews/from fan sources) that the "cracker" lyric was drawn from a personal anecdote of feeling uneasy over selecting identical products in a supermarket, as part of mental stress.[7]
Critical Reception
DIY Magazine praised "Obsessions" as beginning "with a soft, beautiful intro before quickly shifting up gears into a tender, yet powerful song about love and fear."[3]
Some critics and fans regard "Obsessions" as one of the more emotionally raw and intimate tracks on The Family Jewels, noting its minimal production and internalized lyrical themes.[5]
Music Video
The official music video[8] for "Obsessions" was published by Tim Brown and published on Youtube on 25 December 2008. The video features Marina assembling a metallic diamond under LED lighting against a white backdrop, and was filmed with visual references to the children's art show Art Attack.
Marina cited Art Attack as inspiration for the video's concept.
Live performances
Marina has performed "Obsessions" in various live settings and on tours supporting The Family Jewels. One known acoustic performance took place at the Isle of Wight Festival on 11 June 2010.[9]
Track Listing
| US/ 7"vinyl/ double A-side (Neon Gold/679) | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Obsessions" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Mowgli's Road" | 3:09 |
| Digital/Streaming | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Obsessions (Album/single version)" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Obsessions (oOoOO Remix)" | 4:30 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes, interviews, and other sources:
- Marina Diamandis - lead vocals, songwriting[10]
- Liam Howe - production, engineering, programming
- Additional instruments (harpsichord, mandolin, etc.) credited in video audio overlay: Alex MacKenzie (harpsichord, mandolin, piano)[11]
- Mastering: Guy Davie
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Obsessions". Marina and the Diamonds Wiki. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fitzmaurice, Larry (2010-11-24). ""Obsessions" / "Obsessions (oOoOO Remix)"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 July 2024, Reviewer: Charlie Ralph Released: 20th (2009-02-19). "Marina & The Diamonds - Obsessions". DIY. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ Lyric Frame (2020-03-04). Marina - Obsessions (Lyrics). Retrieved 2025-10-13 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Marina: The Family Jewels era that defined a generation of teens". THE INDIE SCENE. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ LitLangIsLife (2019-01-02). "Obsessions (and other things I have for Marina Diamandis)". LitLangIsLife. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ Leeson, ~ Lex (2019-08-25). "Entry #4 Marina and the Diamonds: Obsessions". Necessary Evil. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS - Obsessions [Official Music Video]". Dec 25, 2008. Retrieved Oct 17, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ JJsMusicMusings (2010-07-17). Marina and the Diamonds - Obsessions (Live acoustic Isle Of Wight Festival + Intro 11/06/2010). Retrieved 2025-10-13 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Mowgli's Road", Wikipedia, 2025-03-16, retrieved 2025-10-13
- ↑ MARINA - Topic (2017-01-25). Obsessions. Retrieved 2025-10-13 – via YouTube.
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