Kristin Hersh spent more than a decade previously playing with Throwing Muses, releasing several solo albums as well. Her solo tours in the late 1990s and early 2000s focused on acoustic guitar playing. In 2003, she launched the more electric guitar-oriented 50 Foot Wave.
The band was designed as a power trio, with a lineup including former Chalk FarM drummer Rob Ahlers and Throwing Muses bassist Bernard Georges. Hersh contributes guitar, lyrics, and vocals to this project. The band's first live performance was recorded in Burbank in October 2003 and released on a very limited basis as an official bootleg. Among other live appearances internationally in 2004, 50 Foot Wave performed a month-long residency of shows in January that year at the Silverlake Lounge, while the group was based in the Los Angeles area. The group's self-titled studio mini-album was co-released in March 2004 by the band's ThrowingMusic label and 4AD Records.
Hersh has described 50 Foot Wave's music as "having a lot of math in it," while also calling it less emotionally and musically "tangled" than some of her past Throwing Muses work. Others have described some of the new songs as having "confrontational" lyrics.
In March 2005, the group released its long-planned, full-length album, Golden Ocean, on ThrowingMusic, in partnership with 4AD.
The group toured Europe and the United States in 2005, while Hersh simultaneously continued her solo concerts in alternating parts of the year.
In December 2005, the band released a new EP called Free Music! available via free FLAC and mp3 downloads at their website and several download partner sites. The downloads reserved some rights though Creative Commons licenses.
In December 2008, the band released their new EP Power + Light as a stream. In early March 2009, the band released all their previous albums along with a selection of live tracks, an Instrumental EP and the upcoming Power+Light album for download at their website. As before the tracks were available in FLAC and mp3 format and the band reserved some rights though Creative Commons licenses.
Lavender
50 Foot Wave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's the parade I asked his sleepy face
But my lazy little shadow stayed asleep in bed
Climbed another tree, an altogether different tree
And you stayed so close beside me
Purring like a pussy
I swing and swing and watch the water clean
If my wishes were whores then beggars would ride
With Billy bandy knees I watch the water clean
And he stayed so close beside me
Purring like a pussy, eeh
Hell's bells I wouldn't leave you
My my I wouldn't leave you behind
When's the parade I asked his weepy face
It's when we're walking side by side my friend
And you stayed so close beside me
Purring like a pussy eeh
The lyrics of 50 Foot Wave's song Lavender are quite surreal and poetic, and open to interpretation. In general, the song seems to describe a dream-like state, where the singer is surrounded by strange and disconnected images and sensations. Lavender lips on a full, sore mouth might suggest a feeling of sensuality mixed with pain or discomfort. The question "Where's the parade?" could be understood as a metaphor for the need for something to happen, for life to move forward. However, the answer, given by the "sleepy" and "weepy" face of the other person, suggests that there is no real parade, no real purpose, no real direction. The metaphor of the lazy little shadow staying asleep in bed reinforces this feeling of inaction and lethargy.
The reference to climbing another tree, an altogether different tree, could be interpreted as a way of escaping or avoiding the present reality. The tree represents a new perspective, a new way of looking at things, but also a temporary refuge from the confusion and chaos of the world below. The line "And you stayed so close beside me/Purring like a pussy" could be seen as a comforting presence, a companion who understands and accepts the singer's state of mind, and who offers solace and affection. However, the repetition of the word "pussy" might also be seen as a way of reclaiming a derogatory or sexist term and turning it into a positive one.
The next stanza brings a new image to the song, that of the muddy eddies swirling. The singer is swinging and watching the water clean, which could be interpreted as a way of observing the purification of the world or of the self. The line "If my wishes were whores then beggars would ride" is a cryptic one, but it could mean that the singer's desires are useless or unattainable, since they are as unlikely as beggars riding. The reference to Billy bandy knees might suggest that the singer is still a child or has a childlike perspective on things. Again, the presence of the other person, purring like a pussy, is a source of comfort and reassurance.
The final stanza brings the metaphor of the parade back, but in a different form. The singer asks when the parade is, and the answer is "It's when we're walking side by side my friend". This could be interpreted as a recognition that the parade, the purpose or the direction, are found in the companionship and friendship of the other person. The repetition of the line "And you stayed so close beside me/Purring like a pussy" reinforces the bond between the two and the sense of safety and comfort it provides.
Overall, the lyrics of Lavender are elusive and enigmatic, but they create a strong impression of a dream-like state, full of sensations, images, and metaphors.
Line by Line Meaning
Lavender lips on a full, sore mouth
Describing the physical features of someone's face who may be in distress or pain.
Where's the parade I asked his sleepy face
Questioning the whereabouts of a cheerful event and addressing someone who appears to be drowsy.
But my lazy little shadow stayed asleep in bed
The singer's subconscious remains inactive while they are awake.
Climbed another tree, an altogether different tree
Embarking on a unique journey that differs from past experiences.
And you stayed so close beside me
Steadfast companionship during a personal journey.
Purring like a pussy
Expressing contentment and satisfaction like a feline animal.
I watched the muddy eddies swirl
Observing the movement of murky water in a circular motion.
I swing and swing and watch the water clean
The artist is enjoying swinging and using it as a distraction from the unpleasantness in life.
If my wishes were whores then beggars would ride
The artist is expressing an unrealistic desire for something they can't have.
With Billy bandy knees I watch the water clean
The artist is acknowledging an imperfection on their own body while continuing to watch the water.
And he stayed so close beside me
Continued companionship from a previous line, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and support.
Hell's bells I wouldn't leave you
A phrase expressing the artist's determination to remain with someone else.
My my I wouldn't leave you behind
Reiterating the previous line, assuring that the singer will remain with the other person despite any challenges they may face.
When's the parade I asked his weepy face
Asking about the celebratory event again whilst addressing someone who appears teary/emotional.
It's when we're walking side by side my friend
Emphasizing that celebration can be found in everyday activities and companionship.
And you stayed so close beside me
Repeating a previous line to reiterate their close companionship.
Purring like a pussy eeh
Another reference to feline contentment, referencing an earlier line from the song.
Lyrics © HEYDAY MEDIA GROUP LLC
Written by: Bernard Georges, Kristin Hersh, Robert Ahlers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind