Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire released Thrills on Rykodisc in 1997, shortly followed by second album Oh! The Grandeur in 1998. Both albums were heavily influenced by traditional folk, pre-war jazz, and swing, with Bird relying on the violin as his primary musical instrument, as well as providing vocals along with his trademark verbose lyrics.
The Bowl of Fire featured musicians from Bird's home town of Chicago, including Kevin O'Donnell, Joshua Hirsch, Jon Williams, Nora O'Connor, Andy Hopkins, Jimmy Sutton, Colin Bunn, and Ryan Hembrey. Members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Katharine Whalen and Jimbo Mathus also appeared on Thrills. During this period, Andrew Bird was a member of the jazz group Kevin O'Donnells Quality Six, for which he was the lead singer and violinist and contributed to arrangements and songwriting for the albums Heretic Blues (Delmark 1999) and Control Freak (Delmark 2000) (both Delmark albums were produced by Raymond Salvatore Harmon).
In 2001, the Bowl of Fire released their third album, The Swimming Hour, a dramatic departure from their previous recordings. It featured a mixture of styles, from the zydeco-influenced "Core and Rind" to more straightforward rock songs such as "11:11". Due to this eclectic yet pop-like nature, Bird has often referred to it as his "jukebox album". Although gaining critical praise (The Swimming Hour received a 9.0 from indie music website Pitchfork), the band failed to attain commercial success or recognition, playing to audiences as small as 40 people. In 2002, Bird was asked to open for a band in his hometown of Chicago, but fellow Bowl of Fire members were unavailable for the date. The reluctant Bird performed the gig alone, and the surprising success of this solo show suggested potential new directions for his music. The Bowl of Fire unofficially disbanded in 2003, and Bird went on to gain mainstream recognition and re-invent himself as a solo artist.
Satisfied
Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going on home now guess I'm satisfied
Please tell me cause I don't know
While I'm splayed out on the floor
What it's like what it's like to be satisfied
I'm all alone now guess I'm satisfied
I'm all alone now guess I'm satisfied
Last night, last night, lordy how d I cried?
Little bit old now guess I'm satisfied
Little bit old now guess I'm satisfied
Please tell me cause I don't know
While I'm splayed out on the floor
What it's like what it's like to be satisfied
I'm all alone now guess I'm satisfied
I'm all alone now guess I'm satisfied
I'm going on home now guess I'm satisfied
Last night, last night, lordy how d I cried?
Last night, last night, lordy how d I cried?
The lyrics of "Satisfied" by Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire speak about seeking satisfaction in one's life. The singer seems to be at a point where they feel like they have exhausted all possible avenues for happiness and contentment, hence, they are going home, all alone, guessing they are satisfied. However, the repetition of the phrase "guess I'm satisfied" suggests that there is some doubt in the singer's mind that they truly are satisfied or if they just wish to believe that they are.
Furthermore, the line "Please tell me cause I don't know" followed by "While I'm splayed out on the floor" suggests that the singer has hit rock bottom and is at a loss for what to do next. They want someone to tell them what it's like to truly be satisfied because they do not know. The repetition of the line "last night, lordy how d I cried" seems to indicate that the singer is reflecting on the past and how they have not found what they are looking for despite their efforts.
Overall, the song is a melancholic take on the concept of satisfaction and how elusive it can be. The lyrics speak to a feeling of disillusionment and a longing for something more, making it a relatable and poignant piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going on home now guess I'm satisfied
I'm leaving now and guess that I'm content with what I have experienced
Going on home now guess I'm satisfied
Leaving the present place or situation confidently, feeling a sense of fulfillment
Please tell me cause I don't know
Expressing a sense of confusion and need for help or guidance
While I'm splayed out on the floor
Being vulnerable and exposed, maybe metaphorically or literally
What it's like what it's like to be satisfied
Wondering and contemplating the feeling of being truly gratified and pleased
I'm all alone now guess I'm satisfied
Being alone and assuming that it is enough for personal contentment
Last night, last night, lordy how d I cried?
Recalling a time of intense emotional outpour, maybe pain or sadness
Little bit old now guess I'm satisfied
Feeling that getting older has brought a sense of fulfillment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind