The band weaves intricate guitar lines Read Full BioWarpaint is a psychedelic rock band which formed in 2004 in Los Angeles, California, United States. The band consists of Theresa Wayman (solo pseudonym TT) (vocals, guitar), Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar), Jenny Lee Lindberg (solo pseudonym Jennylee) (vocals, bass), and Stella Mozgawa (drums). The band's original drummer, Shannyn Sossamon, left the band in 2008. The band had multiple temporary drummers until Mozgawa joined in 2009.
The band weaves intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals, and driving post-punk rhythms into gorgeous, sprawling songs that skirt the line between the soundscapes of psychedelia and intimacy. The group has gone through many line-up changes, including actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
In early 2009, their self-released debut EP "Exquisite Corpse" soared straight to #1 on legendary Los Angeles Amoeba Records’ local artists chart. By September 2009, Manimal Vinyl reissued it on CD and vinyl, complete with a new bonus track, ‘Krimson’. Mixed by John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), the EP successfully captures the band’s sonic textures and playful dynamism that they’re notorious for creating in a live setting. With a buzz already in the air, Warpaint is now beginning to stir the masses with praise in the US and abroad. Dazed and Confused calls "Exquisite Corpse" "a collection of magical psychedelia drifting over sublime moments of raw melody courtesy of the three free ethereal vocalists,” while The Independent adds, “They make a quite lovely sound with dreamy vocals, off-kilter hazy guitars.”
On October 25, 2010, the band released their debut album, The Fool. The album received a glowing review in the NME. Prior to the album's release, the band contributed a cover of the David Bowie song "Ashes to Ashes" to We Were So Turned On, a Bowie tribute album released in conjunction with War Child.
"Shadows", the first single from their debut album, was released as a digital download and 12" vinyl on January 10, 2011. A remix of the single, "Shadows (Neon Lights Remix)", proved popular; managing to be playlisted by BBC Radio 1 as part of the In New Music We Trust.
Warpaint toured the United States and Europe in the spring and summer of 2011 to promote the album. They played at various major festivals including Bonnaroo, Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Rock Werchter and Electric Picnic.
In 2011, the rerelease of Undertow charted in the UK at number 92 and also in Australia at number 75. On September 25, 2011 they played the prestigious Hollywood Bowl (as a support act).
As early as 2011, drummer Stella Mozgawa, in an interview with NME, expressed the band's intention to "experiment and write with one another" as the current line-up had never composed songs "from the ground up" together. Bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg further indicated that most of the newer songs were written by "just jam[ming] and free-flow[ing] onstage".
In February 2013, Guitarist Theresa Wayman confirmed to NME that the band intended to create a minimalist sound on Warpaint, revealing that the band developed songs at soundchecks, and experimented more with acoustic guitars and percussion instruments on the album. Lead vocalist Emily Kokal noted that R&B and rap music was an influence on Warpaint and stated that on the album there are "things that have drum machines and ambience, music that's more than standard rock." Kokal added that the album is largely keys-based, which contributed to the overall sound being "definitely different" from the band's previous album The Fool (2010).
Produced by Flood and mixed by Nigel Godrich, Warpaint is due to be released in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland on January 17, 2014; January 20 in Denmark, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom; and January 21 in Spain and the United States on Rough Trade Records. A snippet of the album's lead single, "Love Is to Die", was featured in an advertisement for Calvin Klein on September 25, 2013 and later as part of a teaser for an upcoming documentary of the same name about the recording of Warpaint. The single was released on October 28 with the pre-ordered digital version of the album.
On November 20, Warpaint performed "Composure," from The Fool, as well as new songs "Love Is to Die" and "Keep It Healthy" on BBC 6 Music with Steve Lamacq in the United Kingdom. The next day, an article from the December 2013 issue of Dazed & Confused magazine appeared online, providing insight into the making of the new album, as well as the accompanying documentary, filmed by Jenny Lee Lindberg's husband and filmmaker, Chris Cunningham. Lindberg later confirmed in a November 24 interview on XFM that Cunningham's documentary would be made available shortly after the album's release.
www.warpaintwarpaint.com
Undertow
Warpaint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
They light up the rivers that the birds fly over.
Better not to quench your thirst.
Better not to be the first one diving in,
Though you caught me and you know why
You breathe in the deepest part of the water.
What's the matter? You hurt yourself?
Open your eyes and there was someone else
Now I've got you in the undertow.
Now I've got you in the undertow.
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself.
Nobody ever has to find out what's in my mind tonight.
Let tonight pass us by.
Do you really want to be the one to fight?
And I said "You're better not to light that fire.
It will take you to the darkest part of the weather."
What's the matter? You hurt yourself?
Open your eyes and there was someone else
Now I've got you in the undertow.
Now I've got you in the undertow.
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself.
Nobody ever has to find out what's in my mind tonight.
Nobody ever has to find out what's in my mind tonight.
Nobody in my mind. Nobody in my mind.
I feel it in my heart tonight.
I lay on the floor, pressing in my eyes.
Seeing little lights.
Please light these decisions that only one could make
I wanted to stay home but I went running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running, running, running...
What's the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I've got you in the undertow
Now I've got you so
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself.
Nobody ever has to find out what's in my mind tonight.
I went running running running running from the troubles
Running, running, running...
In Warpaint's song Undertow, the lyrics describe the confusion and toxicity of a relationship. The first couple of lines in the song, "Your brown eyes are my blue skies. They light up the rivers that the birds fly over," sets a romantic tone for the song. However, the lyrics shift to deliver a warning to the speaker’s significant other, "Better not to quench your thirst. Better not to be the first one diving in." From here on, it is impossible to determine who is who, who was hurt, who is to blame, or who is running away. The lyrics suggest a level of self-awareness and the characters know the impact their actions will have on the other.
The song is narrated from different perspectives throughout the song, but it is always fueled by desperation. The speaker is asking questions and demanding answers. Lines like "Why you wanna blame me for your troubles? Ah ah ah, you better learn your lesson yourself" heavily highlight this. The speaker is trying to make sense of what has happened, trying to evade trouble and take control of the situation.
The chorus of the song is haunting, repetitive, and draws attention to the underlying pain present in the relationship. "What's the matter? You hurt yourself? Open your eyes and there was someone else. Now I've got you in the undertow. Now I've got you in the undertow," reiterates the confusion and violence present in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your brown eyes are my blue skies.
Your presence illuminates my world, guiding me through the paths of life.
They light up the rivers that the birds fly over.
Your aura has a positive effect on the surroundings and everyone around you.
Better not to quench your thirst.
It's safer not to take risks that can potentially endanger you.
Better not to be the first one diving in,
It's better to refrain from being the first to take a chance, rather take a step back to analyze the situation.
Though you caught me and you know why
Even if I'm hesitant, I'm still drawn to you and you know the reason behind my reluctance.
You breathe in the deepest part of the water.
You have a great capability to adapt to difficult situations and handle them with ease.
What's the matter? You hurt yourself?
What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?
Open your eyes and there was someone else
When you examine your surroundings, you notice that something or someone else is on the scene.
Now I've got you in the undertow.
Now that you're in my grips, you're in a difficult situation that's hard to get out of.
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Why are you holding me responsible for the problems that you're currently facing?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself.
You should learn from your own mistakes and not rely on someone else to guide you.
Nobody ever has to find out what's in my mind tonight.
I'm keeping my thoughts to myself and I'm not willing to share them with anyone else tonight.
Let tonight pass us by.
Perhaps it would be better if we just let this night pass without too much fuss.
Do you really want to be the one to fight?
Is it really necessary to initiate conflict or create a problem?
And I said "You're better not to light that fire.
I recommend that you avoid doing something that could lead to trouble.
It will take you to the darkest part of the weather."
It will lead you to face an unpleasant or difficult situation.
Nobody in my mind. Nobody in my mind.
I'm finding peace by not overthinking and having a clear mind.
I feel it in my heart tonight.
I have a strong emotional urge tonight.
I lay on the floor, pressing in my eyes.
I'm lying down and covering my eyes, perhaps to block out unwanted thoughts or feelings.
Seeing little lights.
Seeing small lights, perhaps as a result of pressing my eyes too hard or a metaphorical reference to seeing hope in the darkness.
Please light these decisions that only one could make.
I'm asking for guidance in making important decisions that only I can make.
I wanted to stay home but I went running running running running from the troubles
I would have preferred to stay home, but I felt compelled to escape from my problems.
Running running running running from the troubles
I'm continuously making an effort to escape from a difficult situation.
Now I've got you in the undertow
Now I'm exerting my control, and you're in a difficult and dangerous situation.
Running, running, running...
Continuously running away, trying to escape from the problem.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMILY CAMILLE KOKAL, JENNIFER LEE LINDBERG, STELLA ZOFIA MOZGAWA, THERESA BECKER-WAYMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
weird blow
Your brown eyes are my blue skies
They light up the rivers that the birds fly over
Better not to quench your thirst
Better not to be the first one diving in
Though you caught me and you know why
You breathe in the deepest part of the water
[Chorus]
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
[Verse 2]
Let tonight pass us by
Do you really want to be the one to fight?
And I said, “You’re better not to light that fire
It will take you to the darkest part of the weather”
[Chorus]
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
Nobody in my mind, nobody in my mind
I feel it in my heart tonight
[Bridge]
I lay on the floor, pressing in my eyes
Seeing little lights
Please light these decisions that only one could make
I wanted to stay home but I went
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you so
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
I went running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...
tundra
I remember being 13 and sitting on my back porch with my mom. It was late spring and finally hot out. We were drinking tea and listening to this. Almost 10 years ago, and my heart aches for that time so bad. Also finding out that Jenny and Shannyn are both part filipina makes it more special bc my mother and I are filipina. This is so near and dear to me. When life is hard, I go to that memory and it's a safe place for me.
Star Gazer
beautiful
Rostislav Sapozhnikov
Video Director did a marvelous job, I don't know how the hell did she get that amazing contrast and filtered look...but I'm now officially a fan..if anyone knows any other videos this Shannyn Sossamon person done in the past, please forward
Sorelle Neal
I have been looking for this song for literally 10 years 😭❤️
Stray1
Me too.
laura lindsey
Glad you found it. It's a gem. Cheers.🕊️
Joseph Bastidas
That’s how it was for me with Intro by The XX lol
Erik Lee1
Jesus good god......i was jammin this shot round 7 years ago.....i 4got it......now I found it and life is a Lil better........that was easy right...........such and undertow
Bee P.
I forgot about it for about 5-6 years well more like lost it… but I’m so damn happy to find it again! ❤
weird blow
Your brown eyes are my blue skies
They light up the rivers that the birds fly over
Better not to quench your thirst
Better not to be the first one diving in
Though you caught me and you know why
You breathe in the deepest part of the water
[Chorus]
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
[Verse 2]
Let tonight pass us by
Do you really want to be the one to fight?
And I said, “You’re better not to light that fire
It will take you to the darkest part of the weather”
[Chorus]
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
Nobody in my mind, nobody in my mind
I feel it in my heart tonight
[Bridge]
I lay on the floor, pressing in my eyes
Seeing little lights
Please light these decisions that only one could make
I wanted to stay home but I went
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...
What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now I’ve got you in the undertow
Now I’ve got you so
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight
I went running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...
Running running running running from the troubles
Running running running...