Available now through iTunes, the album will be available as a physical release on June 8, 2010 through Bernadette Records.
Known first for her work with the LA-based group Wild Colonials, it was McCluskey’ s Grammy-nominated dance hit, “Breathe,” recorded with Telepopmusik and picked up by Mitsubishi for use in a popular TV campaign that introduced millions to her earthy, unique voice. Along the way, McCluskey has also supported R.E.M. on tour and performed with everyone from Little Richard to Glasvegas to – most recently – New York City cabaret stars The Citizen’s Band.
Tastemaker radio station KCRW has already featured “So Good,” the album’s opening track, as a “Today’s Top Tune” download. McCluskey’s February 19, 2010 performance on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” was so popular it will be available as an iTunes podcast starting March 5 and running for two weeks.
The album is a collaborative effort that includes the eclectic songstress’s many and various friends: Joseph Arthur, Kraig Jarret Johnson (Golden Smog), Scott McCloud (Girls against Boys), Bardi Johannsson (Bang Gang), Duke B (Gaea), Stephane Haeri (Telepopmusik), Paul Cantelon, Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think), Seth Rothschild, Wild Colonials and Richard Fortus (Guns n’ Roses).
So far, the positive reviews have been undeniable, with one reviewer saying: “In many ways Angela’s voice is not hers; it’s yours.” Once you hear this amazing album, you’ll have to agree. Stay tuned for performance dates.
“McCluskey …is the anti-diva, the anti-Leona Lewis, the anti-manufactured pop star. And her voice works live just as it does on record, an incredible juxtaposition of the greats: Beth Gibbons, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. McCluskey eases emotion and soul out of her most personal obsessional ballads with an effortless cool.”
– Alan McGee, Guardian UK (music legend and founder of Creation Records)
Check www.angelamccluskey.com
end of my rope
Angela McCluskey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you stare at the wall
And pretend you don't care
You were right up out loud
When you say it's unfair
You keep trying to change
But get in your own way
Baby don't wonder why
Baby don't wonder why
Maybe I've come to the end of my rope
I'm digging deep with all (?) I can cope
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Do they make your ??
When you try to come clean
When you're feeling alone
Even in a bad dream
You were trying so hard
Then you couldn't get well
Tell then, tell then, tell me
Baby don't wonder why
Baby don't wonder why
Maybe I've come to the end of my rope
I'm digging deep with all (?) I can cope
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Baby don't wonder why
Baby don't wonder why
Maybe I've come to the end of my rope
I'm digging deep with all I can cope
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Don't ever listen to anyone
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
I've come to the conclusion
You're just too hard to live
The lyrics of Angela McCluskey's "End of My Rope" delve into themes of frustration, exhaustion, and a sense of helplessness in the face of one's own personal struggles. The lyrics begin with a question – whether the listener spends their time staring at a wall, pretending not to care – before the verse reveals that the singer is struggling to overcome their own obstacles. They know that they're standing in their own way, but they can't seem to make any progress. The chorus urges someone not to wonder why, before revealing some of the specific challenges that the singer is grappling with. McCluskey uses the metaphor of "digging deep" to suggest that this person is at the point where they're using every ounce of their strength just to keep going.
As the song continues, the focus shifts somewhat to a third party, who may be offering unsolicited advice or criticism. The bridge warns against listening to others, which could be interpreted as a general call to bring one's focus back to their own journey. Ultimately, however, the final repetition of the chorus takes a slightly darker turn, with the singer admitting that they may have reached the end of their capacity to cope. The song ends with the startling revelation that this person has concluded that someone else is "just too hard to live," indicating a possible connection between this personal struggle and a relationship gone awry.
Overall, "End of My Rope" uses evocative language to convey feelings of inner turmoil and the difficulty of self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you stare at the wall
Do you find yourself looking at the wall often?
And pretend you don't care
Do you hide your feelings pretending to not care?
You were right up out loud
Have you ever been upfront about what you feel?
When you say it's unfair
Have you ever expressed something as being unfair?
You keep trying to change
Do you often attempt to make changes?
But get in your own way
Do you sabotage your own efforts?
Tell then, tell then, tell me
Can you open up and discuss?
Baby don't wonder why
Please allow me to clarify without any doubts.
Maybe I've come to the end of my rope
Perhaps I have reached the limit of what I can handle.
I'm digging deep with all (?) I can cope
I am trying my best to handle this situation.
Don't ever listen to anyone
Ignore what others say and listen to me.
Maybe, just maybe, I can be bought
Perhaps I can be influenced to change my mind.
It's my last smile cause (?) more than I've got
I can't fake being happy anymore.
Do they make your ??
Do they make your life harder?
When you try to come clean
When you try to speak the truth?
When you're feeling alone
When you feel lonely and isolated?
Even in a bad dream
Even in your dreams, you can't escape your problems?
You were trying so hard
You put in an effort, but it didn't work out?
Then you couldn't get well
Then, you were unable to recover?
Baby don't wonder why
Please allow me to clarify without any doubts.
I've come to the conclusion
I have finally made up my mind.
You're just too hard to live
Living with you feels too difficult to handle.
Contributed by Michael Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.