Headlock (song)

"Headlock"
Single by Imogen Heap
from the album Speak for Yourself
B-side	"Mic Check"
Released	2005
Recorded	2004
Genre	Electropop[1]
Length	3:36 (album version) 3:13 (Immi's Radio Mix)
Label	Megaphonic RCA Victor Sony BMG
Songwriter(s)	Imogen Heap
Producer(s)	Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap singles chronology
"Goodnight and Go" (2006) "Headlock" (2005) "Not Now But Soon" (2008)
Music video
"Headlock" on YouTube

"Headlock" is a song by English singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, from her 2005 album Speak for Yourself. It was the third single from Speak for Yourself, following "Hide and Seek" and "Goodnight and Go". Remixed for radio as 'Immi's Radio mix' and accompanied by a new all-vocal B-side, titled "Mic Check".

Composition

Featured instruments include mbira, string bass, and a vibraphone.^{[citation needed]}

Music video

The video was filmed on 11 July 2006. The video premiered on Manchester-centric TV station, Channel M, in early September, before being sent to other music television channels for rotation.^{[citation needed]}

Remixes

The drum and bass artist High Contrast remixed the song. The artist Clams Casino also sampled the song in his song "The World Needs Change". Furthermore, the song was sampled in rapper A$AP Rocky's song "Angels", a bonus track from his debut album Long.Live.A$AP.

Chart performance

"Headlock" debuted at number 74 on the United Kingdom's Singles Chart on 22 October 2006. After renewed interest in the song in 2024 due to its association with the 2024 psychological horror video game Mouthwashing, the song debuted at number 50 on the UK Independent Singles Chart on 8 November 2024.^{[2][3][better source needed]}

Track listings

CD single and 7" vinyl

1. Headlock (Immi's radio mix) – 3:13
2. Mic Check – 4:35

Promo vinyl & CD

1. Headlock (Immi's radio edit) – 3:16
2. Headlock (High Contrast remix) (edit) – 3:25

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Poland	118
United Kingdom[4]	74

Chart (2024–2025)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[5]	83
UK Singles (OCC)[6]	57
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[7]	11
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8]	13

References

1. Rindner, Grant; Price, Joe (19 April 2018). "A Breakdown of A$AP Rocky's Most Surprising Samples". Complex. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
2. Denis, Kyle; Lipshutz, Jason; Unterberger, Andrew (30 October 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Catalog Rises in Anticipation of 'Chromakopia' Album, 'St. Chroma' Has Biggest First-Day Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
3. "Imogen Heap - Headlock". Official Charts. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
4. Chart Log UK: M Zobbel.de
5. "IRMA – Irish Charts (Week 47, 2024)". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
6. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
7. "Imogen Heap Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
8. "Imogen Heap Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2024.