9th Configuration
| "9th Configuration" | |||||
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| Single by The Rentals | |||||
| Album | Q36 | ||||
| Released | December 3, 2019 | ||||
| Format | MP3 | ||||
| Recorded | Alphaville Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Battle Born Studios, Las Vegas, NV | ||||
| Length | 5:59 | ||||
| Writer(s) | Matt Sharp | ||||
| Producer(s) | The Rentals | ||||
| Status | Officially released | ||||
| The Rentals singles chronology | |||||
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| Q36 track listing | |||||
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"9th Configuration" is a song by the Rentals. It is the third single and third track from the band's fourth studio album, Q36. It was released on December 3, 2019.
Overview
The song's title and lyrical content reference the 1978 novel The Ninth Configuration (adapted into a 1980 film of the same name). Sharp, in an interview with The Interplanetary Podcast[1], explained that he came up with the idea while reading about the rigorous physical and mental stress testing under which astronauts were placed, and feeling "curious if any of these folks had mental breakdowns from it."
Alejandra Deheza (formerly of the band School of Seven Bells) is featured on the track.
The limited-run clothing item for "9th Configuration" was a t-shirt (in both black and white variants) designed by Ivan Minsloff.
Personnel
- Matt Sharp - vocals
- Nick Zinner - guitar
- Ronnie Vannucci - drums
- Richard Dodd - cello
- The Gentle Assassins Choir - vocals
- Ayo Awosika
- Laura Burhenn
- Alejandra Deheza
- Arlene Deradoorian
- Lizzy Ellison
- Bridget Galanis
- Jose Galvez
- Andrew James
- Keith Murray
- Ryen Slegr
- Shon Sullivan
- Sydney Wayser
- Tim Wheeler
- Alejandra Deheza - vocals
- Dave Fridmann - mixing
- Matt Estep - mixing
- Ryan Smith - mastering
Audio
The lyric music video was developed by Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger for Laia Cabrera & Co., with lyric title design by Yimeng Yuki Yuan. The video was released on December 13, 2019.
Lyrics
I arrive at the asylum, a makeshift funny farm
An old abandoned castle where Section 8’s can do no harm
I’ve been sent here on assignment, the new doctor in charge!
To analyze the patients; to see who’s real and who’s a fraud
(Then there’s you) the paparazzi’s favorite, (Captain) the schizo-astronaut
(One day) you lost your marbles in the capsule, right before it was ready for lift off
O, Captain, why are you afraid of the moon?
Tell me your secret; I’ll share mine with you
Why did you refuse?
Le Voyage dans la Lune
You broke out of the castle; got lost into the night
You found a little biker-bar where you thought that you could hide
The King of The Angels recognized the superstar
The Demons and The Horsemen broke you like some cheap guitar
(Then there’s you) they called me to come save you, (Captain) my battered astronaut
(One day) Twinkle, twinkle Killer Kane came out; killed every biker on the lot
O, Captain, why are you afraid of the moon?
Tell me your secret; I’ll share mine with you
Why did you refuse?
Le Voyage dans la Lune …dans la Lune, dans la Lune
(Then there’s you) you will find your marbles (Captain); get permission to take off
(One day) your status reinstated to ride on that Galactic-Molotov
Now, give me your Saint’s Medallion and just a little time
I will prove to you and the whole world there is pure-self-sacrifice
O, Captain, why are you afraid of the moon?
Now, tell me your secret, I’ve shared mine with you
O, Captain, My Captain, please tell me the truth
What kind of spaceman is afraid of the Moon?
Why did you refuse? It’s only the Moon!
Why did you refuse?
Le Voyage dans la Lune …dans la Lune