The Little Birdy EP was released on October 6, 2003 and reached a peak of number 27 on the Australian singles charts. Relapse reached number 16 on the Triple J Hottest 100 while Baby Blue reached number 25. The follow up This Is a Love Song EP was released on March 1 and debuted at number 22 on the Australian singles charts on March 8.
On 1 October 2004 the band released their highly anticipated debut album, BigBigLove, which includes new versions of Beautiful (renamed Beautiful to Me) and Relapse. It also includes I Should've Known with its original title of "Andy Warhol". It met with generally good critical reaction.
The bands follow up album titled Hollywood was released October 2006 and debuted at 9 on the Aria charts. The songs Come On Come On and Bodies were big hits in Australia.
In May 2009, Little Birdy released their third album Confetti, with their first single Summarize and Brother, which features Paul Kelly on backing vocals and harmonica.
Katy's brothers Luke Steele and Jake Steele are also in the band The Sleepy Jackson with Luke also featuring in the band Empire of the Sun.
Relapse
Little Birdy Lyrics
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I'll help you through your pain
If you help me through mine
Never have I met
Someone as insensitive as you
I want to escape what you've done to my life
I love the way that you're always on my mind
It's ok, you're not a bad one you're sane
I can't help this pain that I feel
Relapse and soda
My head is not all that you want it to lay
Existence is purpose
Explain what my touch means to you if it does
I want to escape what you've done to my life
I love the way that you're always on my mind
It's ok, you're not a bad one you're sane
I can't help this pain that I'm feeling
I can't help this pain that I'm feeling
I can't help this pain that I'm feeling
Oh yeah, hey
Hey, Yeah
When I saw you, I want to escape what you've done to my life
I love the way that you're always on my mind
It's ok, you're not a bad one you're sane
So how you love, it feels how you feel
Yeah, yeah
Little Birdy's song "Relapse" is a haunting portrayal of a relationship that is marked by pain, despair and addiction. The song starts with the singer acknowledging the facade that she is living, "Live on the outside", which gives the impression that everything is fine, but inside she is struggling with her own pain - a pain that she seeks to alleviate by being with someone who can help her through it. But the person she is with, whom she characterizes as “insensitive,” is not able to provide the comfort that she seeks, and instead adds to her distress. The lyrics "I want to escape what you've done to my life" is a cry for help, an admission that the person she is with is causing her more harm than good.
The second verse of the song goes on to describe the singer's addiction to the person she is with - the way they are always on her mind, and how despite everything, she loves them. The chorus resonates with a mix of emotions: it is okay that the person is not "bad", but still, the singer cannot help the pain she feels. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is trapped in a cycle of relapse and despair, and that she finds solace in addiction to sodas and whatever other distractions she can find to numb the pain.
The bridge of the song is somewhat ambiguous, referring to the idea that existence is purposeful. The singer asks her partner to explain the meaning of their touch to her, perhaps hoping that there is a deeper connection that will be revealed, something that can offer greater solace than addiction. However, the refrain of the chorus repeats, emphasizing that despite their love for the person and their desire for a deeper connection, the pain remains, and so does the addiction.
Overall, "Relapse" is a poignant song that captures the experience of being stuck in a tumultuous relationship with someone who causes more harm than good. It is a reminder of the struggle to find meaningful connections in spite of the pain that they bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Live on the outside
I try to appear strong even though I am struggling on the inside.
I'll help you through your pain
I will be there to support you during difficult times.
If you help me through mine
But I need your help too, I can't do it alone.
Never have I met someone as insensitive as you
You are not understanding of my feelings and how your actions affect me.
I want to escape what you've done to my life
I want to break free from the negative impact you have had on my life.
I love the way that you're always on my mind
Despite everything, I can't stop thinking about you.
It's ok, you're not a bad one you're sane
I try to justify your behavior because I don't want to believe that you are a bad person.
I can't help this pain that I feel
But I am still hurting and can't help the way I feel.
Relapse and soda
I turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol in times of distress.
My head is not all that you want it to lay
I am not just a body for you to use for your own pleasure.
Existence is purpose
I am alive for a reason, even if I haven't yet figured out what that is.
Explain what my touch means to you if it does
If you truly care about me, you should be able to explain why you want to touch me and what it means to you.
When I saw you, I want to escape what you've done to my life
Even though seeing you fills me with conflicting emotions, I still want to get away from the pain you have caused me.
So how you love, it feels how you feel
The way you treat me reflects how you feel about me, and it hurts to realize that your feelings may not be genuine.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAIRRIE BETH, SCOTT UEDA, MARCELO PALOMINO, ALBERT RICO VILLASENOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind