She has had one of the more interesting dual careers, as a cartoon animator (including a stint as a principal animator for the Ren & Stimpy show) and as an indie pop singer/songwriter, more popular in France than in Brooklyn, where she was raised, or in her current home of California.
As a child, Elinor became fascinated with France, and jumped at the opportunity to participate in an exchange program in France in junior high. Today, her albums tend to contain songs in both English and French, which draw heavily on themes and styles from French 1960s pop music.
Beginning in the early 1980s, she worked as an animator for Archie Comics and Pee Wee's Playhouse; in 1986 we see her working on the Madonna feature Who's That Girl, animating the star in the title sequence and the contemporaneous music video. Her first band, The Pussywillows, was formed in 1987, although their existence was interrupted for a year while April March attended the one-year Disney Character Animation program in California. In 1991, the Pussywillows broke up, and Blake formed the Shitbirds, which lasted until 1995. Since then, March has recorded as a solo artist, and has appeared on some motion picture soundtracks, as well as the Cartoon Network series I Am Weasel theme song. Most notable is her remake of Laisse tomber les filles into Chick Habit that was featured in the 1999 campy teen comedy 'But I'm a Cheerleader' and Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Her appeal in the United States has grown with her recent and ongoing collaborations with Jonathan Richman, Los Cincos and the Dust Brothers, and in France with her collaborations with Bertrand Burgalat.
In 2022, she released the album "In Cinerama," considered by some reviewers to be her best ever.
www.aprilmarch.com
While We're Young
April March Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time for a thrill
And an adventure
Say you'll drive me away
Fast on the cliffs
And we'll be in danger
As we walk to the edge
Stare at the void
While we're young
Drive me out to the bluff
Where only love's chosen go
Love's eternal roar
Is hiding in the surf
Far below
Say its time for love
Its time for a thrill
And an adventure.
Say you'll drive me away
Fast on the cliffs
And we'll be in danger
Tell me there'll be no pain
We'll never grow old
The sun will expire
In our embrace
Green and golden light
Guide us on our speedy flight
Beyond the wheels is black
So tell me that we'll never turn back
Say it's time for love
It's time for a thrill
And an adventure
Say you'll drive me away
Fast on the cliffs
And we'll be in danger
Tell me there'll be no fear
As we walk to the edge
Stare at the void
While we're young
...while we're young...
...while we're young...
The lyrics of April March's song "While We're Young" describe the desire to live life to the fullest while embracing adventure and allowing oneself to take risks. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the desire for thrill and adventure. The second stanza paints the picture of danger, with the reference to driving fast on the cliffs. Despite this danger, the lyrics suggest that there is no fear, as they walk to the edge and stare into the void. The reference to the void could symbolize the unknown, the infinite possibilities that life has to offer, or a sense of freedom.
The following stanzas are just as intense and speak of eternal love that will never grow old, the radiance of green and golden light, and the darkness of the unknown. In this song, the idea of "while we're young" is a reminder to take advantage of life and to not hold back. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the excitement and novelty of life, but it also reminds that life should be lived with meaningful experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it's time for love
Express that the desire for love is present and mutually understood.
It's time for a thrill
Highlight the excitement and adrenaline rush associated with new love.
And an adventure.
Emphasize the unpredictable and mysterious aspect of love.
Say you'll drive me away
Promise to escape together, leaving behind any worries or distractions.
Fast on the cliffs
Indicate the intense speed and wildness of the journey taken together.
And we'll be in danger
Acknowledge that the thrill-seeking, adventurous nature of love can sometimes entail risks and challenges.
Tell me there'll be no fear
Provide reassurance and confidence in the face of potential danger or unknown outcomes.
As we walk to the edge
Invite the listener to join in taking a bold, fearless step forward.
Stare at the void
Introduce the idea of staring into an unknown, perhaps even frightening abyss, without hesitation or fear.
While we're young
Highlight the idea that this confident, carefree attitude is best enjoyed while still young and full of energy.
Drive me out to the bluff
Propose a specific location as a symbol for taking a bold step into the unknown together.
Where only love's chosen go
Indicate a sense of intimacy and exclusivity, reserved only for those who are fearless in love.
Love's eternal roar
Introduce the idea of love as a powerful, unrelenting force that can never be fully suppressed.
Is hiding in the surf
Offer an image of the power and mystery that love can embody, like the ocean that moves beneath us all.
Far below
Reinforce the idea that the depths of love are mysterious and significant, even though we can't always see them.
Tell me there'll be no pain
Promise to protect against emotional pain, demonstrating a willingness to take emotional risks together.
We'll never grow old
Imagine a future where the love is eternal, youthful and full of vigor.
The sun will expire
Envision a future where the strong, steady sun itself finally reaches its conclusion.
In our embrace
Suggest that true love is capable of surviving even the most dramatic, apocalyptic changes in the universe.
Green and golden light
Describe a specific visual that serves as a metaphor for the warm, enchanting glow of love itself.
Guide us on our speedy flight
Highlight the idea of love as a source of direction and guidance, allowing us to soar freely and confidently into the unknown.
Beyond the wheels is black
Symbolize the idea of leaving behind the known world, a reference to automobiles used for transportation.
So tell me that we'll never turn back
Declare a commitment to never give up on this exciting, challenging love, even when things get difficult.
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.