Modern World
🇳🇱 TOP 40#3
🇳🇱 TOP 100#4
🇧🇪 ULTRATOP (V)#33
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About the single
In May 2008, Modern World was released as the third single from Anouk's album Who's Your Momma, following Good God and I Don't Wanna Hurt. In the song, Anouk criticizes modern Western society, where almost everything seems to be for sale. According to Anouk, the only thing that cannot be changed is human stupidity: "the hole in your head".
The single was released in a special way, spread across three separate parts over three consecutive weeks. Each version contained different bonus material, including live recordings, a demo and the official music video.
Unlike I Don't Wanna Hurt, which did not receive a music video, Modern World came with a striking clip. The video was directed by Melina Matsoukas and shot in Los Angeles. While the song deals with progress and modern society, the video takes Anouk almost back in time, using a strictly religious Amish-like setting.
Modern World received strong promotion in the Netherlands and was chosen as both Radio 538's Alarmschijf and a 3FM Megahit. The song also gained some attention in the United States after it was posted on the website of Perez Hilton.
Tap to collapse
Tracklist
7 tracksClick a title to view the lyrics
Part 1
1
03:30
The more you think about sex boys
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
2
Modern Worldinstrumental
03:30
3
live at Giel Beelen
03:18
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you
I always knew that you would be cheating on you I do
I might see it comin'
I didn't see it comin'
Yesterday you let me down
The only friend I thought I found
Sleepless nights heart in two
Baby who is kissing you
If this would have happened to me ten years ago
I'd make sure that you'd be lying six feet underground
But little girls we grow up
knowing love will find a way
So now we have an understanding
let's just rock 'n roll
Might as well
Be cheating on you
I might as well
Do all the things you do
I might as well
Have a little fun
Baby you inspire
It's the way we carry on
Have you ever been in love before
And does it matter
'Cause nothing ever seems to be
the way it should be
Tell me why
Don't you love me like the way you used to do
It might be worthwhile
To take a step back and ask yourself how this is gonna last
when it's all a lie
Now here me out
I swear to god that this
I swear to god I'm not lying
I will not forget
Might as well
Be cheating on you
I might as well
Do all the things you do
I might as well
Have a little fun
Baby you inspire
It's the way we carry on
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you
I always knew that you would be cheating on you I do
I might see it comin'
I didn't see it comin'
Yesterday you let me down
The only friend I thought I found
Sleepless nights heart in two
Baby who is kissing you
If this would have happened to me ten years ago
I'd make sure that you'd be lying six feet underground
But little girls we grow up
knowing love will find a way
So now we have an understanding
let's just rock 'n roll
Might as well
Be cheating on you
I might as well
Do all the things you do
I might as well
Have a little fun
Baby you inspire
It's the way we carry on
Have you ever been in love before
And does it matter
'Cause nothing ever seems to be
the way it should be
Tell me why
Don't you love me like the way you used to do
It might be worthwhile
To take a step back and ask yourself how this is gonna last
when it's all a lie
Now here me out
I swear to god that this
I swear to god I'm not lying
I will not forget
Might as well
Be cheating on you
I might as well
Do all the things you do
I might as well
Have a little fun
Baby you inspire
It's the way we carry on
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
I might as well be cheating on you I do
Part 2
1
03:30
The more you think about sex boys
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
2
live at Evers Staat Op
02:37
Surely I am willing but I won't
Claiming that I'll do it but I don't
Knowing I'll do anything you want
Pretending I am someone that
I'm not
Good God my mind
Won't let me think right
I know you're trouble
But I'm determined to create these things
up in my head that never happened
In time I've gotta choose
Freedom or loyalty
Look at what you've done
What am I gonna do
Good God my mind
Won't let me think right
I know you're trouble
But I'm determined to create these things
up in my head that never happened
In time I've gotta choose
Freedom or loyalty
Look at what you've done
What am I gonna do
So now that you have made a mess of me
And showed me stars that I have never seen
I know its wrong why does it feel so right
You haven't got me yet
but you might
You're smiling back at me
I wanna do it
I wanna be with you let me get through it
Am I gonna make it back alive
When you show me all the things that you can do
Claiming that I'll do it but I don't
Knowing I'll do anything you want
Pretending I am someone that
I'm not
Good God my mind
Won't let me think right
I know you're trouble
But I'm determined to create these things
up in my head that never happened
In time I've gotta choose
Freedom or loyalty
Look at what you've done
What am I gonna do
Good God my mind
Won't let me think right
I know you're trouble
But I'm determined to create these things
up in my head that never happened
In time I've gotta choose
Freedom or loyalty
Look at what you've done
What am I gonna do
So now that you have made a mess of me
And showed me stars that I have never seen
I know its wrong why does it feel so right
You haven't got me yet
but you might
You're smiling back at me
I wanna do it
I wanna be with you let me get through it
Am I gonna make it back alive
When you show me all the things that you can do
3
original demo
03:17
All the memories that we've made
I threw them all away
This stop, stays the same
There's no need to talk it over
Don't let me get you down
Let's just move on
I am setting you free
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
Strange enough I always knew
I'm taking off today
I am setting you free
The darkness you left in my soul
Do we know how much we've lost
Will the moon be shining as bright as before
And as I'm singing this song
The tears well up in my eyes I will
always wonder
Why I will never have the life I wanted
Now I'm letting it go
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
There's not much more to say
It's too late now
I won't hurt no more
So why wait 'till morning comes
You've made it clear that it has been
'Only pain lovin' me
Things that we won't do for love
I am setting you free
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
Strange enough I always knew
I'm taking off today
I am letting you go
I threw them all away
This stop, stays the same
There's no need to talk it over
Don't let me get you down
Let's just move on
I am setting you free
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
Strange enough I always knew
I'm taking off today
I am setting you free
The darkness you left in my soul
Do we know how much we've lost
Will the moon be shining as bright as before
And as I'm singing this song
The tears well up in my eyes I will
always wonder
Why I will never have the life I wanted
Now I'm letting it go
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
There's not much more to say
It's too late now
I won't hurt no more
So why wait 'till morning comes
You've made it clear that it has been
'Only pain lovin' me
Things that we won't do for love
I am setting you free
'Cause I don't wanna hurt no more
No I don't wanna make you go through one more rainy day
No I don't wanna hurt no more
Strange enough I always knew
I'm taking off today
I am letting you go
Part 3
1
03:30
The more you think about sex boys
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
2
live at Gelredome
04:55
The more you think about sex boys
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
3
video clip
The more you think about sex boys
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
With someone else the better it gets boys
Do you have a purpose in your life
Besides cheating on the wife
For fuck sake show some sense
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
These days adoption is a hot thing
You can get a child for nearly nothing
You take them home to a nanny and
Buy off your guilt with toys and candy
But all that money that you work for girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Crazy way to get your kicks
Stop the silicone in your lips
If you fight me I will turn your back
They suck the fat right off your back
Make up your mind about your girls
They can puff 'm up so no bra will fit girls
There's only one thing they can't fix
And I won't let you be misled
And that's the hole in your head
Can't do nothing 'bout that
Hail hail modern world
Hail to all you boys and girls
Hail hail to all what I've seen
Hail hail this modern world
Hail hail this modern world
Yeah yeah yeah...
You tell her that she's beautiful
And put her on a pedestal
But as you Google triple x
Imagination kicks in
Notes
Might as Well (live) recorded January 11, 2008 at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum for 3FM Giel Beelen.
Good God (live) recorded December 3, 2007 at Radio 538, Hilversum for Evers Staat Op.
Modern World (live) recorded at Gelredome, Arnhem.
Videos
1 video
official
Official Video
Releases
3 editions
Modern World · Single · 2008
Photography
Alique
Artwork
Cris Kühlen (Studio San Pedro Graphic Design)
Modern World
Songwriting
Written By
Anouk Teeuwe and Bart van Veen
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / Bartres Songs / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V.
Performers
Vocals
Anouk Teeuwe
Drums & Percussion
Blair Sinta
Bass
Sean Hurley
Guitars
David Levita
Keyboards, B3 & Piano
Zac Rae
Keyboards
Glen Ballard
Production
Produced By
Glen Ballard
Co-Produced By
Anouk Teeuwe
Recorded and Mixed By
Scott Campbell
Mastered By
Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering
Modern World (instrumental)
Songwriting
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V.
Production
Produced By
Glen Ballard
Co-Produced By
Anouk
Recorded and Mixed By
Scott Campbell
Recorded At
Westlake Studios & The High Window, Hollywood, Ca.
Might as Well (live at Giel Beelen)
Songwriting
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V.
Performers
Drums
Oscar Kraal
Guitar
Memru Renjaan
Guitar, 2
Angelo de Rijke
Bass
Boaz Kroon
Hammond
Thijs Boontjes
Backing Vocals
Jenny Willemstijn, Ricardo Burgrust, Dwayne Mohamedjar
Production
Recorded By
John Sonneveld
Mixed By
John Sonneveld
Recorded At
Wisseloord Studios Hilversum (11 januari 2008, 3FM Giel Beelen)
Good God (live at Evers Staat Op)
Songwriting
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V. / Social Life Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing
Performers
Drums
Oscar Kraal
Guitar
Memru Renjaan
Guitar, 2
Angelo de Rijke
Bass
Boaz Kroon
Hammond
Thijs Boontjes
Horns
Jan Kooper, Bert Boeren, Iwan van Hetten
Production
Recorded By
John Sonneveld
Mixed By
John Sonneveld
Recorded At
Wisseloord Studios Hilversum (Evers Staat Op op Radio 538, 3 december 2007)
I Don't Wanna Hurt (original demo)
Songwriting
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V. / If dreams had wings Music Ltd.
Performers
Guitar
Martijn van Agt
Production
Recorded By
John Sonneveld
Recorded At
Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum
Modern World (live at Gelredome)
Songwriting
Published By
B.E.P. Publishing / EMI Music Publishing (Holland) B.V.
Performers
Drums
Oscar Kraal
Guitar
Memru Renjaan
Guitar, 2
Angelo de Rijke
Bass
Boaz Kroon
Hammond
Thijs Boontjes
Production
Recorded By
John Sonneveld & Michiel Hoogenboezem
Mixed By
John Sonneveld
Recorded At
Gelredome, Arnhem