Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent Read Full BioPhosphorescent is the solo project of American musician and songwriter Matthew Houck (born 1980 in Alabama). Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume in 2001 in Athens, Georgia, USA. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".
Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.
Official site
Song for Zula
Phosphorescent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh, but I know love as a fading thing
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
See, honey, I saw love
You see it came to me
It put its face up to my face so I could see
Yeah, then I saw love disfigure me
Into something I am not recognizing
See the cage, it called, I said, "Come on in"
I will not open myself up this way again
And lay my face to the soil, and all my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called, I said, "Come on in"
I will not open myself this way again
You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
Now my feet are gold and my heart is white
And we race out on the desert plains all night
See, honey, I am not some broken thing
I do not lay in the dark waiting for thee
Now my heart is gold, my feet are light
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night
So some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh, but I know love as a caging thing
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
Ah, and all you folks, you come to see
You just stand there in the glass looking at me
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free
The song "Song for Zula" by Phosphorescent is a melancholic ballad that touches upon the subject of love, and how it can both transform and cage a person. The song has a poetic quality to its lyrics, and singer/songwriter Matthew Houck delivers them with emotional rawness. The opening lines, "Some say love is a burning thing, that it makes a fiery ring", sets up the traditional romantic notion of love as something passionate and intense. But the following lines, "Oh, but I know love as a fading thing, just as fickle as a feather in a stream", contrasts with the first two, suggesting that love is not a constant force, but something that ebbs and flows.
As the song progresses, the singer describes how love disfigured him, and how he avoids falling into its trap again. The lines "See the cage, it called, I said, 'Come on in'/I will not open myself up this way again" suggest that he has been hurt by love before, and is now wary of opening himself up to it again. The imagery of the "cage" also highlights the idea of love as a trapping force. However, towards the end of the song, there is a shift in tone, as the singer declares that he is not a broken thing and that his heart is now "gold". He also describes himself as being wild and strong, with "bones of steel", which contrasts with the vulnerability expressed earlier in the song.
Overall, "Song for Zula" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love, and how it can both transform and cage a person. The lyrics are poetic and emotionally charged, and the song is executed with soulful intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love is a burning thing
Love has been described as something that is intense and passionate.
That it makes a fiery ring
Love has the power to consume people and create a sense of burning desire.
Oh, but I know love as a fading thing
The speaker has experienced love as something that fades and diminishes over time.
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
Love can be unpredictable and easily swayed, like a feather that is carried by a stream.
See, honey, I saw love
The speaker has experienced love firsthand.
You see it came to me
Love came to the speaker unexpectedly.
It put its face up to my face so I could see
Love presented itself to the speaker in a way that was impossible to ignore or deny.
Yeah, then I saw love disfigure me
The speaker's experiences with love have resulted in changes or transformations that they do not recognize or are uncomfortable with.
Into something I'm not recognizing
The speaker feels as though the changes brought on by love have made them unrecognizable to themselves or others.
See the cage, it called, I said, "Come on in"
The speaker is describing a feeling of being trapped or confined by the idea of love.
I will not open myself up this way again
The speaker has been hurt by love and doesn't want to experience that pain again.
And lay my face to the soil, and all my teeth to the sand
The speaker is using imagery to show the extent to which they don't want to be vulnerable and hurt by love again.
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
The speaker is expressing a determination to not let themselves be hurt by love again for an extended period of time.
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
The speaker doesn't want anyone to see them be vulnerable or struggle with the pain of love again.
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
The speaker is showing a fear of being hurt by someone who they perceive as being old or unattractive.
You see the cage it called, I said, "Come on in"
The speaker is reiterating their feeling of being confined and trapped by love.
I will not open myself this way again
The speaker is showing a determination to not let themselves be hurt by love again.
You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
The speaker is using imagery to describe a beautiful and peaceful scene.
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
The speaker is contrasting their perspective with that of others, who they perceive as being too focused on beauty and light.
Now my feet are gold and my heart is white
The speaker is feeling empowered and inspired by their newfound freedom.
And we race out on the desert plains all night
The speaker is describing the freedom and joy they feel in the absence of love.
See, honey, I am not some broken thing
The speaker is showing a newfound sense of confidence and strength after coming out of a difficult experience with love.
I do not lay in the dark waiting for thee
The speaker is not dependent on love or anyone else for their happiness or well-being.
Now my heart is gold, my feet are light
The speaker is feeling empowered and inspired by their newfound freedom.
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night
The speaker is describing the freedom and joy they feel in the absence of love.
So some say love is a burning thing
The speaker is returning to the idea that love can be passionate and intense, but they are offering a different perspective.
That it makes a fiery ring
Love has the power to consume and envelop people, creating a sense of intense emotion or desire.
Oh, but I know love as a caging thing
The speaker is showing a negative experience with love, wherein they felt trapped or confined.
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
Love can be dangerous and bring about negative consequences, including pain or heartbreak.
Ah, and all you folks, you come to see
The speaker is addressing a group of people or audience who are interested in their story or experience.
You just stand there in the glass looking at me
Despite others' interest in the speaker's experience, they feel disconnected or isolated from those around them.
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
The speaker is showing a newfound sense of confidence and inner strength after coming out of a difficult experience with love.
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free
The speaker is showing a metaphorical strength and power, not a literal one, and expressing a desire to be free from the pain and burden of love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matthew Houck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Quasar
Some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh but I know love as a fading thing
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
See, honey, I saw love,
You see it came to me
It puts its face up to my face so I could see
Yeah then I saw love disfigure me
Into something I am not recognizing
See the cage, it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself up this way again
Nor lay my face to the soil, nor my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself this way again.
You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
I might fear I go and my heart is white
And we race right out on the desert plains all night
So honey I am now, some broken thing
I do not lay in the dark waiting for day here
Now my heart is gold, my feet are right
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night
So some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
All that I know love as a caging thing
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
And all you folks, you come to see
You just to stand there in the glass looking at me
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free
Logo Williams
Some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh but I know love as a fading thing
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
See, honey, I saw love,
You see it came to me
It puts its face up to my face so I could see
Yeah then I saw love disfigure me
Into something I am not recognizing
See the cage, it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself up this way again
Nor lay my face to the soil, nor my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself this way again.
You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
I might fear I go and my heart is white
And we race right out on the desert plains all night
So honey I am now, some broken thing
I do not lay in the dark waiting for day here
Now my heart is gold, my feet are right
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night
So some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
All that I know love as a caging thing
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
And all you folks, you come to see
You just to stand there in the glass looking at me
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free
Barnflat Wyngarde
Yep, I'm here via Adam Curtis.
Here's the full soundtrack to "Can't Get You Out Of My Head".
It might be worth exploring.
Natalie Beridze – When Dreams Become Responsibility
The Specials – Do Nothing
Nine Inch Nails – Your Touch
Phosphorescent – Song for Zula
Royal Ballet Sinfonia – The Ladykillers (Main Titles)
Zhou Xuan – Age of Bloom (Hua Yang De Nianhua)
Pye Corner Audio – Pulse Threshold
John Carpenter – Theme from The Fog
Nine Inch Nails – The Worriment Waltz
The Incredible String Band – Air
Bill Ryder-Jones – The Reader (Malbork)
Nine Inch Nails – Letting Go While Holding On
Aphex Twin – #4
In the Nursery – Haunted Dancehall
Thomas Ragsdale – Warning Mass
Stars of the Lid – Humectez la Mouture
Burial – Beachfires
Aphex Twin – Avril 14th
Brian McBride – Girl Nap
Brian McBride – When the Detail Lost its Freedom
Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet – Ghosts of Things to Come
Natalie Beridze – Silently
Natalie Beridze – Blue in Grey
Loreta Kovacic – Tortured Tendon Time
Marlene Dietrich – Sag Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind
Nine Inch Nails – Run Like Hell
Chromatics – Broken Mirrors
Aphex Twin – #23
Henry Mancini – Experiment in Terror
The Raveonettes – Recharge & Revolt
Sex Pistols – Who Killed Bambi?
Claude Channes – La Chinoise (Mao Mao)
Arne Weinberg & Shawn Rudiman – The Lost Arts
The Mekons – Where Were You?
Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross - Eleven Fifty Eight
Brian McBride – A Gathering to Lead Me When You're Gone
Stars of the Lid – Don't Bother They're Here
Geneva Skeen – A Parallel Array of Horses
Natalie Beridze – Barely Barely
John Barry – God Save Us
Richie Hawtin – No Way Back
2Pac – Violent
Cocteau Twins – Lorelei
John Barry – Yes, Who is That?
Bonnie Guitar – Dark Moon
C9 – A1t6i
Roger Eno – Quixote
Natalie Beridze – Lavandar Lips
Ennio Morricone – La Casa Delle Streghe
Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra – Calcutta
Harold Budd – Jane 16 (For Pale Saints)
Pye Corner Audio – Vorsicht
Demen – Korridorer
The Secret Sisters – House of Gold
Thomas Ragsdale – Teeth Upon Teeth and Limbs Dangling Beneath
Thomas Ragsdale – Self Zero
Thomas Ragsdale – It Froze Me
Pye Corner Audio – It May Not be Real
Thomas Ragsdale – Take a Look at God's Face
Stars of the Lid – A Meaningful Moment Through
This Mortal Coil – The Lacemaker
Aphex Twin – #3
Nine Inch Nails – A Warm Place
Pye Corner Audio – It May Not Be Real
Starry Eyes – Cigarettes after Sex
Headless Heroes – True Love Will Find You in the End
Stars of the Lid – The Evil That Never Arrived
Schneider TM & Kptmichigan – The Light 3000
Burial – Forgive
Вечная весна – Гражданская Оборона
Stars of the Lid – Articulate Silences Part 2
Johnny Boy – You are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve
This Mortal Coil – With Tomorrow
Arsenic1987 – Pac-Man Theme (Remix)
Stereo Total – A L'amour Comme A La Guerre
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra & Lukasz BoroWicz – Kolysanka
Roger Williams – What Lies over the Hill
Kenneth McKellar – Faery Song
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, London Symphony Orchestra, & George Szell – Morgen, Op.27/4
Bright Eyes – Lua
Death in Vegas – Lever Street
Ginger Jones
My daughter who died by suicide in 2015 recommended this to me in an old email. I am revisiting old emails as a cathartic. She died at 33, my only child. We shared a love of music that moved us deeply, not necessarily the radios top 10 favs. I miss her. I feel her in the depth of this recommended great deeply moving song. I love it. Thank you!
Chadi Ejja
All love ❤️ god is taking care of her
Elle
I don't have children, but I imagine losing a child is the worst tragedy of all. I'm so sorry. Blessings to you & with her.
AndroidgamesForAll
I am sorry for your loss..
scratched soul
🌀❤
Ale Muñoz
My deepest respects for you and your beautiful daughter. Remember her in the sound of the rain, when the autumn wind blows and in every rainbow, because there she is, enjoying a calm and peaceful dream. A very warm hug from Chile
Thomas Shajan
I am madly in love with this song since I first heard it in The Amazing Spiderman 2 movie.
Amanda Lourenço
Me toooooooo!!!!❤️ And I absolutely love the scene Peter meets Gwen... My all time favorite couple!!
JASØN RAY
FAX
oliver worrall
@Ken Tsame