Indestructible (Robyn song)

"Indestructible" was written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund with production done by the latter. The song was recorded at a studio named Apmamman, in Stockholm, Sweden. The strings in the song were arranged by Carl Bagge, and played by various cello and violin players.{{cite AV media notes|year=2010|title=Body Talk|title-link=Body Talk (Robyn album)|others=Robyn|type=booklet|publisher=Konichiwa Records}} The song alongside "Hang with Me" were among the first songs to be recorded for the Body Talk series, and Robyn said that she saved them for a later release because "[she] knew they would be singles, or could be singles, and [she] wanted them to get that chance."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/473060/robyn-to-continue-working-in-mini-album-format|title=Robyn to Continue Working in Mini-Album Format

|date=2010-02-14|access-date=2011-05-26|last=Graff|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}} Robyn described the song to The Macomb Daily as "a love song ... about what you can do in a club".{{cite web|url=http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2011/06/03/entertainment/doc4de8e51ff28a9942141890.txt|title=Less is more for Swedish singer Robyn's future|date=2011-06-03|access-date=2011-06-03|work=The Macomb Daily|last=Graff|first=Gary|publisher=Journal Register Company}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In an interview with MTV News, she elaborated on the song's theme and message, saying, "I think 'Indestructible' is a song that talks about what happens when you meet new people and fall in love, and how that can be scary and fun at the same time."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652103/robyn-indestructible-video-shows-what-sex-really.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107032730/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652103/robyn-indestructible-video-shows-what-sex-really.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|title=Robyn Says 'Indestructible' Video Shows 'What Sex Really Is'|date=2010-11-11|access-date=2010-11-20|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|last=Montgomery|first=James}}

An acoustic version of the song was featured on Body Talk Pt. 2, released in September 2010. The uptempo version was announced as the first single from Body Talk on 12 October 2010, and the single artwork was released on the same date.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a281596/robyn-announces-new-single-details.html|title=Robyn announces new single details|date=2010-10-12|last=Levine|first=Nick|work=Digital Spy|access-date=2011-02-03}} The song premiered online on 14 October 2010, via Robyn's SoundCloud account.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/40402-listen-dance-version-of-robyns-indestructible/|title=Listen: Dance Version of Robyn's "Indestructible"|work=Pitchfork Media|last=Dombai|first=Ryan|date=2010-10-14|access-date=2011-02-12}} The single was initially planned to be released on 17 November 2010 in Sweden, but it was changed to 1 November 2010. It was released in the United States on 2 November 2010. A CD single was released in Germany on 18 February 2011.

{{listen

| filename = Robyn Indestructible.OGG

| pos = right

| title = "Indestructible"

| description = A 21-second sample of "Indestructible", featuring its strobe-like chorus and string sounds.

| format = Ogg

}}

"Indestructible" is an uptempo ballad that uses string sections and a pulsating beat. The song makes use of a synthpop style, and incorporates elements Europop. It carries a 4/4 beat that is driven by an "endlessly looped" arpeggio. The song utilizes ascending keyboard bubbles, disco claps, drum machines and whistles as backing. The string sounds from the acoustic version of the song are accompanied by four-to-the-floor beats and an electronic arrangement,{{cite web|url=http://dancemusic.about.com/b/2010/11/12/song-of-the-day-robyn-indestructible.htm|title=Song of the Day: Robyn – "Indestructible"|work=About.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=2010-11-12|last=Slomowicz|first=Ron|access-date=2011-02-08|archive-date=2011-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807085102/http://dancemusic.about.com/b/2010/11/12/song-of-the-day-robyn-indestructible.htm|url-status=dead}} as well as "relentless" bass and pulsing synthesized chords. Molly Lambert of Pitchfork noted the "human quality" of Robyn's voice on the track, writing that it is "cloaked in waves of arpeggiated synth".

The lyrics speak of a love connection, where the protagonist makes bad decisions; "I never was smart with love, I let the bad ones in and the good ones go". In the chorus, Robyn sings "I'm gonna love you like I've never been hurt before/I'm gonna love you like I'm indestructible." Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music noted that Robyn sings "tough and knowing" and "pessimistically optimistic" lines, but manages to make it sound romantic for the listener. Emma Gaedekke of Billboard commented on the lyrical content, saying, "Robyn's heartfelt vocal turn prevents the backing music from overwhelming her story of a love connection found at the tail-end of heartbreak."

The song was met with critical acclaim. Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review, awarding it five out of five stars. Levine praised the synths and strings present on the track, as well as Åhlund's production. He commented that the lyrics made the song "not just touching, but utterly, utterly life-affirming".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a289615/robyn-indestructible.html|title=Music – Single Review – Robyn: 'Indestructible'|last=Levine|first=Nick|website=Digital Spy|date=24 November 2010|access-date=2011-06-05}} Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music and compared it to "heartbreak songs" by ABBA, but noted its modern synthpop as opposed to 1970s disco. McAlpine noted that the song about dancing and being "terrified/upset" at the same time, and wrote that Robyn has created a "devastating happysad feeling". McAlpine awarded the song five out five stars, and gave it "special points" for its "faux-classical synth solo" in the middle.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2010/11/robyn_-_indestructible.shtml|title=Chart Blog: Robyn – 'Indestructible'|work=BBC Music|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=2010-11-27|first=Fraser|last=McAlpine|access-date=2011-02-03}} Emma Gaedeke of Billboard highlighted the songwriting and praised it for being emotionally honest, without "generic pop cheesiness".{{cite magazine|last=Gaedeke|first=Emma|title=Robyn, "Indestructible"|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1068433/robyn-indestructible|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2010-11-20|date=2010-11-15}} Molly Lambert of Pitchfork wrote a positive review of the song, saying that the drum machines on the track contrast well with the qualities of her voice. Lambert wrote, "“Indestructible” encapsulates the kind of freedom Robyn sings about; freedom from reductionist categories, unfair expectations, and life's daily indignities."{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12021-indestructible/|title=The Playlist: Robyn - "Indestructible"|publisher=Pitchfork Media|last=Lambert|first=Molly|date=2010-10-25|access-date=2011-06-05|archive-date=2011-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430041713/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12021-indestructible/|url-status=dead}}

Paul Davey of Drowned in Sound wrote that the song "sits comfortably alongside" previous singles "Hang with Me" and "Dancing on My Own". Davey referred "Indestructible" to as "an example of a pop-innovator at the top of her game".{{cite magazine|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15837/reviews/4141598|title=Robyn - Body Talk|magazine=Drowned in Sound|last=Davey|first=Paul|date=2010-11-25|access-date=2011-06-11|archive-date=2010-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129033231/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15837/reviews/4141598|url-status=dead}} Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine praised the song's production and named it one of Robyn's best singles. Keefe also named it the standout among the new songs on Body Talk.{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/robyn-body-talk/2328|title=Robyn: Body Talk|work=Slant Magazine|first=Jonathan|last=Keefe|date=2010-11-21|access-date=2011-02-03}} Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone gave it three and a half out of five stars, and wrote that "[Robyn] sings an uncommonly elegant Europop melody".{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|title="Indestructible" by Robyn|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/song/17384/233935|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119030658/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/song/17384/233935|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date=2010-11-20|date=2010-11-22}} Evan Sawdey of PopMatters compared the song negatively to the acoustic version, believing it was a bad choice to "swap out strings for synths". He wrote, "Robyn's voice gets lost amidst the laser lights, and its impact just isn't as strong". Sawdey, however, considered it "great [for] the dance floor".{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/133931-robyn-body-talk/|title=Robyn: Body Talk|work=PopMatters|last=Sawdey|first=Evan|access-date=2011-02-03}}

On the issue dated 17 September 2010 of the Sverigetopplistan chart, the acoustic version of "Indestructible" debuted and peaked at number fifty-four due to strong digital downloads.{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/weekchart.asp?year=2010&date=20100917&cat=s|title=Swedishcharts.com – Singles Top 60 – 2010-09-17|work=Singles Top 60|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2011-02-03}} The original version of the song debuted at number nine on the issue dated 12 November 2010, becoming Robyn's ninth top ten hit in the country. Three weeks later, it peaked at number four. It was the thirtieth best-selling song of 2010 in Sweden. In Denmark, the song debuted at number thirty-eight on the chart issue dated 12 November 2010, but fell off the chart next week. On 3 December 2010, it re-entered at number twenty-four and peaked at number thirteen on 21 January 2011. After thirteen non-consecutive weeks, the song fell off the chart dated 4 March 2011. On 20 October 2011 the song was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for sales of 15,000 digital units in Denmark.

"Indestructible" managed to chart at number 171 on the UK Singles Chart, on the issue dated 18 December 2010. It debuted at number thirty on the UK Dance Chart, and reached its peak of number twenty-one on its second week on the chart. In Belgium, the song peaked at number twenty-three on the Flanders Ultratop 50 chart, and number twenty-nine on the Wallonia Ultratip airplay chart. In Germany, the song debuted at number fifty-six, immediately becoming Robyn's highest-charting single in the country since "With Every Heartbeat" in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Robyn+With+Kleerup/single|title=Robyn With Kleerup – With Every Heartbeat Chartverfolgung|work=Media Control Charts|publisher=PhonoNet GmbH|language=de|access-date=2011-03-06|archive-date=2012-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011113613/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Robyn+With+Kleerup/single|url-status=dead}}

File:RobynIndestructible.jpg

The music video for "Indestructible" was directed by Max Vitali and Nils Ljunggren. Vitali had previously worked with Robyn on the music videos for "Hang with Me" and "Dancing on My Own".{{cite web|url=http://stereogum.com/559301/robyn-indestructible-video/top-stories/lead-story/|title=Robyn – "Indestructible" Video|date=2010-10-28|work=Stereogum|publisher=Buzzmedia|access-date=2011-02-03}} For the video, Australian artist Lucy McRae, who makes "body architecture", designed a special "tube dress" for Robyn to wear. McRae also designed the outfits Robyn wore on the Body Talk album covers. The dress for the video was made up of plastic pipes that were periodically filled with colored fluids and wrapped around Robyn's body. Robyn recalled that the machine that kept the liquid flowing was "very complicated". It was powered by drills and required "a whole lot of complex machinery to function". The machine was built by McRae, who had to do it quickly because of the video's budget. McRae said, "Me and the dream team had never done anything like this before, the whole project was happening for the first time. The machine was super loud."{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/9060/1/lucy-mcraes-body-architecture|title=Lucy McRae's Body Architecture|first=Alla|last=Taha|date=December 2010|publisher=Dazed Digital. Dazed Group|access-date=2011-06-04}} The shooting stopped four times due to leaks, and the team had to mop and re-set the technology. The shooting took twenty hours, and by 3 a.m. McRae said that Robyn was wrapped "in a kilometre of tubing draped over her head and body". She praised Robyn's stamina throughout the shoot, saying that "there were chaotic moments that could have been potentially disastrous and the entire time Robyn was working with us, smiling, moving when the tubes were stuck and just super happy we were making it happen."

Due to the complex technology used to for the video, Robyn believed "It looked like 'MacGyver' on the set." She said that the video "[is] very much about [...] giving almost a physical experience of what it feels like to be on a dance floor or fall in love, whether it's blood or endorphins or other body fluids." She wanted to make a video about sex, but said that "in a way that wasn't so clichéd. [...] And [the video] is made to give you a picture of what sex really is, which I think is something that's very hard to do, because sex is everywhere all the time, but very rarely is it made out to be something real." The video begins with a reversed scene of a young couple having sex.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/40533-video-robyn-indestructible/|title=Video: Robyn: "Indestructible"|date=2010-10-28|first=Ryan|last=Dombai|work=Pitchfork Media|access-date=2011-02-03}} In cutscenes, Robyn appears with a tube dress with clear liquid flowing through it. When the young woman begins to switch her sex partners, the liquid in the tubes wrapped around Robyn begins to alter colors and flow more quickly. The video ends with Robyn standing alone with black liquid in the tubes.{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/5668872/robyn-indestructible-video|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125221556/http://idolator.com/5668872/robyn-indestructible-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=Robyn's Water Jacket Proves She's Not So "Indestructible" In Her New Video|last=Daw|first=Robbie|date=2010-10-28|work=Idolator|publisher=Buzzmedia|access-date=2011-02-03}}

The music video premiered via Robyn's official Myspace account on 28 October 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/952364/robyn-goes-r-rated-for-new-indestructible-video|title=Robyn Goes R-Rated for New 'Indestructible' Video |last=Vick|first=Megan|date=2010-10-28|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2011-02-04}} The video received positive reviews from critics. James Montgomery of MTV News called it "a clothing-optional video that's raising eyebrows (and temperatures) worldwide. Though [...] there's nothing really all that shocking about the clip ... except maybe for its honesty." Megan Vick of Billboard was positive on the video, saying that, "We can't be entirely sure what Robyn was trying to say with this treatment, but we do know that this video is hot – and intriguing." Robbie Daw of music website Idolator compared it to a scene from The X-Files. He concluded by saying that "This is hardcore, indeed." Amber Katz of MTV Buzzworthy said that Robyn looks "cherubic and futuristic [in the video], as if she belongs on the set of “Caprica”." Katz compared Robyn's outfit to Rebecca Horn's "Overflowing Blood Machine".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/10/28/new-video-robyn-indestructable/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915052602/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/10/28/new-video-robyn-indestructable/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2012|title=New Video: Robyn, 'Indestructible'|date=2010-10-28|work=MTV Buzzworthy|publisher=MTV Networks|last=Katz|first=Amber|access-date=2011-02-03}} DJ Ron Slomowicz of About.com called the video "creepy and confusing" and said, "Overall, it is a scintillating if not entirely clear video."

On 3 November 2010, Robyn performed the song alongside several other songs on the Myspace Secret Shows in London.{{cite web|url=http://www.theroundtableonline.com/2010/12/watch-robyns-entire-secret-uk-myspace-show/|title=Watch: Robyn's Entire Secret UK MySpace Show|date=2010-12-01|access-date=2011-02-19|work=The Round Table|archive-date=2011-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104143357/http://www.theroundtableonline.com/2010/12/watch-robyns-entire-secret-uk-myspace-show/|url-status=dead}} On 1 December 2010, she made an appearance on The 5:19 Show on BBC to perform the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/showcase/clips/p00cgfns/in/collection/p0071598|title=BBC Music Showcase – Robyn – Indestructible|work=BBC Music|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2011-02-05|archive-date=2012-07-19|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719023356/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/showcase/clips/p00cgfns/in/collection/p0071598|url-status=dead}} "Indestructible" was performed on 11 December 2010 at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The performance opened with the Swedish folk song "Jag vet en dejlig rosa" and her previous single "Dancing on My Own". Robyn was accompanied by two drummers and two keyboardist on stage, and string players later joined for "Indestructible". The stage was designed with vertical light columns that altered colors in time with the music.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/video-robyn-shakes-up-peace-prize-event-20101213|title=Video: Robyn Shakes Up Peace Prize Event|date=2010-12-13|access-date=2011-06-04|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media}} Two days later, she performed the song at the Svenska Hjältar awards ceremony in Sweden, broadcast on TV4. The song was mixed with the acoustic version for this performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.svenskahjaltar.se/article8269299.ab|title=Robyn sjunger på galan|language=sv|work=Aftonbladet|date=2010-12-13|access-date=2011-02-05|last=Sundell|first=Camilla|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217061610/http://www.svenskahjaltar.se/article8269299.ab|archive-date=2010-12-17|url-status=dead}} She also performed the song during the Body Talk Tour.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/951335/robyn-revs-up-miamis-fillmore|title=Robyn Revs Up Miami's Fillmore

|date=2010-11-09|last=Mason|first=Kerri|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2011-02-04}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Digital download{{cite web|url=http://us.7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-1/|title=Robyn – Indestructible MP3 downloads|work=us.7digital|access-date=2011-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112143643/http://us.7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-1/|archive-date=2011-01-12|url-status=dead}}

1. "Indestructible" – 3:40

• Digital EP{{cite web|url=http://7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-2/|title=Robyn – Indestructible MP3 downloads|work=7digital|access-date=2011-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225234930/http://7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-2/|archive-date=2010-12-25|url-status=dead}}

1. "Indestructible" (with Laidback Luke) – 6:10
2. "Indestructible" (Max Sanna and Steve Pitron Club Remix) – 7:16
3. "Indestructible" (A-Trak Remix) – 7:07
4. "Indestructible" (Laserkraft 3D Remix) – 6:18
5. "Indestructible" (The Krays Remix) – 5:29

• Germany CD single{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B004IBY2RY|title=Indestructible (2track): Robyn|work=Amazon.de|language=de|access-date=2011-02-03}}

1. "Indestructible" (Radio Edit) – 3:22
2. "Indestructible" (Laserkraft 3D Remix) – 6:18

{{col-2}}

• Germany digital EP{{cite web|url=http://de.7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-5/|title=Robyn – Indestructible MP3 Single-Download|work=de.7digital|access-date=2011-02-21|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707065858/http://de.7digital.com/artists/robyn/indestructible-5/|archive-date=2011-07-07|url-status=dead}}

1. "Indestructible" (Radio Edit) – 3:22
2. "Indestructible" – 3:42
3. "Indestructible" (Laserkraft 3D Remix) – 6:19
4. "Indestructible" (with Laidback Luke) – 6:10
5. "Indestructible" (A-Trak Remix) – 7:06
6. "Indestructible" (Acoustic Version) – 4:14
7. "Indestructible" (Music Video) – 3:27

• Sweden digital download{{cite web|title=Indestructible – Single by Robyn|url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/indestructible-radio-edit/id398975826?i=398975829&v0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111132922/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/indestructible-radio-edit/id398975826?i=398975829&v0|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2012|work=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple, Inc|access-date=2010-11-02}}

1. "Indestructible" (Radio Edit) – 3:22
2. "Indestructible" – 3:41

• Black Madonna Remix{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Indestructible-Black-Madonna-Remix-Robyn/dp/B01HSIK7RC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=indestructible+the+black+madonna&qid=1594833503&s=dmusic&sr=1-1|title=Indestructible (The Black Madonna)|website=Amazon Music|access-date=15 July 2020}}

1. "Indestructible" (The Black Madonna Remix) - 8:27

{{col-end}}

• Robyn and Klas Åhlund – music, lyrics, production, instruments and programming
• Niklas Flyckt – mixing
• Carl Bagge – string arranging
• Marianne Herresthal and Pelle Hansen – cello
• Claudia Bonfiglioli, Erik Arvinder, Patrik Swedrup and Simona Bonfiglioli – violin

Source

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Robyn|title=Indestructible|award=Gold|id=7163|certyear=2011|relyear=2010|relmonth=11|refname="dk_cert"|access-date=16 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Robyn|title=Indestructible|award=Gold|id=7275|streamsonly=true|certyear=2011|certmonth=7|relyear=2010|access-date=16 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streamsonly=true}}

{{col-end}}

In 2021, British singer Will Young covered "Indestructible" on his album Crying on the Bathroom Floor.{{cite web|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/will-young-releases-new-single-daniel-from-upcoming-female-pop-covers-album-302787/|title=Will Young releases new single 'Daniel' from upcoming female pop covers album|website=Attitude|last=Stroude|first=Will|date=26 April 2021|access-date=28 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/will-young-review-fredo-album-b1896777.html|title=Album reviews: Will Young – Crying on the Bathroom Floor, and Fredo – Independence Day|website=The Independent|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=4 August 2021|access-date=28 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03kSttXHQnw|title=Will Young - Indestructible (Official Audio)|website=YouTube|date=6 August 2021|access-date=28 April 2024}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Robyn singles}}

{{good article}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2010s ballads

Category:2010 singles

Category:Robyn songs

Category:Songs written by Klas Åhlund

Category:Songs written by Robyn

Category:Synth-pop ballads

Category:2010 songs