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Savages is a song performed by Kerli released, as her first single from her third studio album, Shadow Works, on November 30, 2018.

Artwork

The photo was taken by Estonian photographer Jörgen Paabu. The cover portrays Kerli in the role of Tantrika, the female protagonist of the Savages music video.

Music video

This section is under construction.

The music video production, in collaboration with American filmmaker Everett Lee Sung, known professionally as IIZII, started on November 23, 2018. It was first published on Kerli's official YouTube account on March 15, 2019, but only as a private video; the official release occurred on March 21.[1] For the music video, two songs were actually used: Savages, as the main song, and Shadow Works (Outro) As of June 26, 2019, the video reached 1,4 million views. Moreover, a behind-the-scenes video was published on May 15, 2019: the video shows Kerli and her team preparing the costumes and the set objects.

Plot

As the video begins, the camera portrays Kerli being still, completely dressed in white, with a white snake around the neck; soon after, Kerli's whole figure can be seen: the snake is not on her neck, but is now twisted around a long Ahnk sceptre. As the song Shadow Works (Outro) progresses, a new, dark, scenario insinuates in the idyllic one: Tantrika, the shadow part of the female lover, is introduced. She is dressed all black, and even her hair is dark. Even though the focus returns for a while to the "white woman", Tantrika regains the attention, and the song Savages begins. The lovers are introduced at the beginning, and they are two completely different people: the woman, presumably Kerli herself, has pale skin, a white costume and white long hair; whereas, on the other side, the man has dark skin and black pants. They lay on a carpet made of white roses, and they seem to be having a romantic and sexual encounter, judging by their poses throughout the video. As the second verse begins, Oni, the shadow part of the male lover, is introduced. The viewer can see both of the "shadows" dancing individually in front of what seems a new moon. Right in the middle of the second pre-chorus, the "white woman" is being covered with a black blanket. Returning to the main characters, the man seems to abuse his lover, choking and assaulting her with violence. When the outro of the song begins, the climax of their relationship is consumed: the male protagonist, with the sword that has always been seen in the hands of his shadow Oni only, now kills the woman, in what seems a kind of sacrifice on an altar.

Savages digital storybook

On March 26, Kerli started the Savages digital storybook on her Instagram account. She said she "wanted to take [the fans] deeper into the characters and their journey this time around".[2] The storybook consisted in seven chapters, corresponding to seven triplets of Instagram post: each chapter explored different sides of the Savages story.

Symbology and meanings

The music video for Savages is full symbolism and deeper meaning, which often refers to Kerli's personal life experience.

Lyrics

As I cough out fire
You're lighting up
And you burn me with every maybe
And I cut the chords and I break the locks
But I'm powerless in your slavery

And I curse this hell
And I hate your guts
And I swear I will pay for this craving never again

But we'll be making love like savages
I'll lick the poison from right off your kiss
Fall on rosy thorns for a taste of lethal bliss
Oh we'll be making love like savages
Savages
Savages

As I choke on flames
You light up your torch
Each of my defeats is your victory
And I walk barefoot on a field of swords
You have mastered the art of cruelty

And I curse this hell
And I hate your guts
And I swear I'll dance with the devil never again

But we'll be making love like savages
I'll lick the poison from right off your kiss
Fall on rosy thorns for a taste of lethal bliss
Oh we'll be making love like savages
Savages
Savages

Savages
Savages

Track listing

  1. Savages - 3:09

Credits and personnel

Song

  • Brian Malouf – mixing, mastering
  • Cyrus Saidi – executive producer
  • David "Kill Dave" Dahlquist – composer, producer, programming, piano, guitar
  • Even "EvenS" Sarucco – composer
  • Kerli Kõiv – composer, vocal producer, lead vocals, background vocals, recording, programming, piano, guitar

Visual and design

  • Jörgen Paabu - photographer, design

Music video

  • Bertil Tarbe - key grip
  • Blender - catering
  • Carola Madis - producer, first assistant director
  • Cyrus Saidi - producer
  • Eventech - gear
  • Everett "IIZII" Lee Sung - director, editor
  • Freddy Saunanem - 1st AC
  • Hansel Rivero - actor ("Oni")
  • Highvoltage - gear
  • Kaja Seppel (Intersalon) - hair
  • Kasper Raidam - producer, gaffer
  • Kerli Kõiv - actress ("Tantrika"), director, costume designer, set designer, styling
  • Martin Venela - director of photography
  • Piret Kõiv - set designer
  • Poska Kohvik - catering
  • Raido Kusk - location manager
  • Uulits - catering
  • Widescreen Studios - location

Special thanks

  • Eghert Sören Nõmm
  • Jonny-Harrison Nõmmik
  • Jörgen Paabu
  • Paivi Kõiv
  • Piret Kõiv
  • Toivo Kõiv
  • Vaike Kõiv

Gallery

References

  1. KERLI - SAVAGES (official music video). OfficialKerli. March 21, 2019. YouTube. Retrieved on March 22, 2019.
  2. "Wanted to take you guys deeper into the characters and...". kerlimusic. March 25, 2019. Instagram. Retrieved on June 26, 2019.
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