The obscure trip-hop anthem Michael Caine couldn’t live without
Michael Caine is one of few actors to have firmly and indisputably secured his national treasure status. Consistently appearing on our screens for over half a century, often accompanied by his characteristic Cockney twang, he has won hearts and awards in their masses. With two Oscars and a knighthood to his name, Caine is one of the most esteemed names in his craft – but does his music taste match his reputation?
During an appearance on BBC’s beloved Desert Island Discs, Caine revealed eight tracks he simply couldn’t live without if stranded at sea. His playlist has some fairly standard picks – Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’, for example – but it also includes a slightly more obscure track from electronic duo Bent.
Even Caine himself isn’t entirely sure of the track at first. “I always get very confused when I tell people,” he admits, “because I’m not quite sure myself. It’s either called ‘Swollen’ by Bent or ‘Bent’ by Swollen. Well, I suddenly thought, if they ever went and did a record with Elbow, it would be a swollen bent elbow, you know.”
The track he’s referring to is actually ‘Swollen’ by Bent – no Elbows involved – and it’s a swirling trip-hop number from the band’s 2000 debut record, Programmed to Love. The track featured singer Zoë Johnston and boasted an impressive duration of seven minutes and 24 seconds, somehow remaining captivating throughout. But for those less willing to commit to almost eight minutes of trip-hop, there is a cut of the track that lasts just under five.
‘Swollen’ is a gorgeous track infused with calming energy in its instrumentation and its lyricism. Over understated pianos and drum machines, the singer finds herself at complete peace with her lover, without losing the passion of their love. “Our love is swollen, made of the quietest shade of loud,” she sings, “holds me like an anchor, floats just like a cloud”.
It’s a song that’s equally sensual and soothing, a stunning entry into trip-hop that has never received the same attention as genre giants like Massive Attack or Portishead. The perfect musical accompaniment for focus or blissful hangouts with your partner, it’s easy to see why Caine would want to take ‘Swollen’ to a desert island with him.
It’s an unexpected pick from Caine, particularly compared to the more well-known names on his list, such as Coldplay and John Lennon, but it’s a welcome one. For fans of Caine, trip-hop enthusiasts, or simply those in search of music recommendations, ‘Swollen’ is well worth a listen.
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