Helicopter (song)

"Helicopter"
Single by Bloc Party
from the album Silent Alarm
Released	25 October 2004
Format	CD, 7" Vinyl
Genre	Post-punk revival, indie rock
Length	3:40
Label	Wichita
Bloc Party singles chronology
"Little Thoughts/Tulips" (2004) "Helicopter" (2004) "Tulips" (2005) Music sample "Helicopter" 30-second excerpt of "Helicopter".

"Helicopter" is a song by English rock band Bloc Party that was originally released in the UK in 2004 on the Little Thoughts EP, and two years later as a single from their debut album, Silent Alarm in the US. The song was received with much acclaim, reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart on its first release, but failing to chart in the US. Various remixes have been recorded. It has also been featured on the video games Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: On Tour, FIFA 06, Project Gotham Racing 3, Burnout: Revenge,Colin McRae Dirt 2, and Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. The song was also featured in the film "Yes Man"

Musical structure and theme

"Helicopter" was written by all the band members prior to their debut album. Composed in B minor, it was written in common time and has a quick tempo of 171 beats per minute.

Its lyrical influences have been debated, with frontman Kele Okereke denying numerous rumors. One rumor was that the song was written about then-president of USA George W. Bush. In response to that rumor, Okereke stated that he'd actually written the lyrics of "Helicopter" about himself.

Track listing

7" Wichita / WEBB070S (UK)

1. "Helicopter"
2. "Skeleton"

Compact Disc

Wichita / WEBB070SCD (UK)

1. "Helicopter"
2. "Always New Depths"
3. "Tulips" (Minotaur Shock Mix)

US Compact Disc

1. "Helicopter" (Diplo Remix)
2. "Helicopter" (Weird Science Remix featuring Peaches)
3. "Helicopter" (Whitey Remix)
4. "Helicopter" (Original Version)

US 12" vinyl

1. "Helicopter" (Diplo Remix)
2. "Helicopter" (Weird Science Remix featuring Peaches)

Music video

The music video has been on YouTube since 27 August 2006. It has received the most views of any of Bloc Party's songs on YouTube, gaining over 14,000,000 views, almost doubling their second most viewed music video, Banquet, which has received just over 6,000,000 views. The video, displayed in black and white. shows the band playing in an old, empty house. Lead singer Kele Okereke can be seen wearing a Batman t-shirt in the video as well.