Headlock

"Headlock" is an intricate track that feels like an intimate chat with a friend who is stuck in a rut of their own making. Imogen Heap believes this person has the potential to alter their life for the better, yet they refuse. She weaves the metaphor of a headlock to capture that sense of being trapped - whether in a relationship, an emotional quagmire, or just the stubborn refusal to change.

The song blends Heap's signature lush, layered vocals with an eclectic array of instruments, including the mbira (a thumb piano from Africa), a string bass, and a vibraphone. These sounds, married with electronic flourishes, give "Headlock" an immersive texture.

Released as the third single from Heap's Speak for Yourself album, it peaked modestly at #74 on the UK Singles Chart and also reached #19 on Billboard's Hot Rock and Alternative Songs.