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I'm a Ruin is a single by Marina Diamandis, released under her previous stage name 'Marina and the Diamonds'. Appearing on her third studio album, FROOT, it is the 3rd track on the album, and was released as the 3rd single.

The song was written by Marina alone and produced by David Kosten.

I'm a Ruin was represented by a cherry I'm a Ruin (fanpack) - Cherries in the 'Froot of the Month' campaign, and paired alongside Solitaire on Marina's website during the era.[1]

Background[]

On January 13, 2015, a 14-second snippet of the track was released via Marina's Instagram.[2] On the 27th, the full track premiered on Huw Stephens Radio 1 show.[3][4]

Trivia[]

  • For unknown reasons, on the vinyl, I'm a Ruin is paired with Immortal, and represented by a lemon,[5] contradicting the 'Froot of the Month' campaign.

Meaning[]

Marina explained the song is about dealing with guilt after hurting a lover, a topic she believes "isn't talked about often".[6]

Artwork[]

I'm a Ruin single artwork
Credits
Photographer
Charlotte Rutherford
Designer
Sam Coldy
Photoshoot
Media

Videos[]

Video Credits
Marina_And_The_Diamonds_-_"I'm_a_Ruin"_(Official_Video)
Title I'm a Ruin
Premiere 3 Feb 2015
Length 3:59
Location Lanzarote island, Spain
Filmed 17 Jan 2015
Director Markus Lundqvist
Producer Tom Birmingham
Production company Knucklehead
Executive producer Mary Calderwood
Editor Julia Knight
Choreographer Aaron Sillis

Additional Credits

  • Grade: The Mill.
  • Producer: Dan Kreeger, Dan Butler
  • Colourist: Matt Osborne

Behind the Scenes

Background

Dance rehearsals for the video took place at Pineapple Studios on January 14, 2015. A few days later, on the 17th it was revealed Marina was abroad on location to film the video for the track with director Natalie Arnett.[citation needed] The music video premiered on February 3, on Noisey's YouTube channel[7] and uploaded on Marina's channel two days later.

Video Credits
MARINA_AND_THE_DIAMONDS_"I'M_A_RUIN"_ACOUSTIC_BAND_VIDEO
Title I'm a Ruin (Acoustic)
Premiere 21 Feb 2015
Length 4:50
Director Paul Caslin

Behind the Scenes

Official Versions[]

Version Released on Date Length
Single (Radio edit, used in music video) I'm a Ruin 02 Feb 2015 3:59
Album FROOT 13 Mar 2015 4:32
Acoustic/Live
Acoustic YouTube • FROOT Acoustic EP EP: 08 Jun 2015 4:45
Demos
Home Demo N/A - Demo Leaked: 15 Mar 2021 5:29
Demo N/A - Demo Leaked: 15 Mar 2021 5:51

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
I know that I can't have it all
But without you, I am afraid I'll fall
I know I'm playing with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart

When it comes to love, you're an easy fight
A flower in a gun, a bird in flight
It isn't fair and it isn't right
To lead you on like it's all alright

[Pre-Chorus]
I played with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart
You still mean everything to me, to me
But I want to be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah, I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Verse 2]
It's difficult to move on when nothing was right and nothing's wrong
You still can't look me in the eye
'Cause you've been bitten once and now you're twice as shy

I've had my share of beautiful men
But I'm still young and I want to love again
It's difficult to say goodbye
And easier to live a lover's lie

[Pre-Chorus]
And I've tried to say
Babe, I'm gonna ruin you if you let me stay
You still mean everything to me, to me
But I wanna be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah, I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Middle 8]
It doesn't feel right and it doesn't feel fair
When I'm planning to move on and you're still standing there
Don't wanna keep a secret, but I don't know how to keep it fair, yeah

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
But I don't wanna say goodbye, goodbye
But baby, I don't wanna lie
To lie, to lie to you
I'm a ruin

Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Verse 1]
I know that I can't have it all
But without you, I am afraid I'll fall
I know I'm playing with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart

When it comes to love, you're an easy fight
A flower in a gun, a bird in flight
It isn't fair and it isn't right
To lead you on like it's all alright

[Pre-Chorus]
I played with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart
You still mean everything to me
But I want to be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Verse 2]
It's difficult to move on when nothing was right and nothing's wrong
You still can't look me in the eye
'Cause you've been bitten once and now you're twice as shy

[Pre-Chorus]
And I've tried to say
Babe, I'm gonna ruin you if you let me stay
You still mean everything to me, to me
But I wanna be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Middle 8]
It doesn't feel right and it doesn't feel fair
When I'm planning to move on and you're still standing there
Don't wanna keep a secret, but I don't know how to keep it fair, yeah

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Verse 1]
I know that I can't have it all
But without you, I am afraid I'll fall
I know I'm playing with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart

When it comes to love, you're an easy fight
A flower in a gun, a bird in flight
It isn't fair and it isn't right
To lead you on like it's all alright

[Pre-Chorus]
I played with your heart
And I could treat you better, but I'm not that smart
You still mean everything to me
But I want to be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
But I don't wanna say goodbye
But baby I don't wanna lie
To lie, to lie to you
I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin


[Verse 2]
It's difficult to move on when nothing was right and nothing's wrong
You still can't look me in the eye
'Cause you've been bitten once and now you're twice as shy

I've had my share of beautiful men
But I'm still young and I want to love again
It's difficult to say goodbye
And easier to live a lover's lie

[Pre-Chorus]
And I've tried to say
Babe, I'm gonna ruin you if you let me stay
You still mean everything to me, to me
But I wanna be free

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
But I don't wanna say goodbye
But baby I don't wanna lie
To lie, to lie to you
I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin

[Middle 8]
It doesn't feel right and it doesn't feel fair
When I'm planning to move on and you're still standing there
Don't wanna keep a secret, but I don't know how to keep it yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
I'll ruin, yeah, I'll ruin you
I've been doing things I shouldn't do
But I don't wanna say goodbye
But baby, I don't wanna lie
To lie, to lie to you
I'm a ruin

Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, uh huh, ooh, I'm a ruin
Yeah, yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah
Yeah, yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah
I'll ruin, yeah I'll ruin you (I'll ruin)
I've been doing things I shouldn't do (Things I shouldn't do)
But I don’t wanna say goodbye (Goodbye)
But baby I don’t wanna lie
To lie, to lie to you
I’m a ruin

Credits[]

Personnel[]

  • Marina Diamandis — Keyboards, Lead vocal, Backing vocals
  • David Kosten — Keyboards, Percussion
  • Jason Cooper — Drums
  • Jeremy Pritchard — Bass
  • Alexander Robertshaw — Guitar

Technical[]

  • Written by Marina Diamandis
  • Produced by David Kosten and Marina Diamandis
  • Programming by David Kosten
  • Recorded at Muttley Ranch, London
  • Drums recorded at Kore Studios, London and Assault's Battery Two, London
  • Engineered by David Kosten
  • Additional engineering by Mo Hausler
  • Assistant drum recording engineers Al Lawson and Drew Smith
  • Mixed down and additional programming by Wez Clarke
  • Mastered by Lewis Hopkin at Star Delta Mastering
  • Published by Warner / Chappell Music Publishing Ltd

References[]

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