Babes In Toyland's debut single on Treehouse Records ("Dust Cake Boy" b/w "Spit To See The Shine") landed them a deal with Minneapolis' famed Twin/Tone Records.
Their debut album Spanking Machine -- released in 1990 -- caught the attention of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, who began singing their praises in the music press and invited the band to support them on their European tour. Meanwhile, Spanking Machine was released in the UK by Southern Studios, and was quickly gaining favour with the music press and John Peel who recorded a session with them and named the album as his favorite of 1990.
In the summer of 1991, To Mother was recorded at Southern Studios with John Loder in the producer's seat. The EP entered the independent charts in the top 10 and stayed there for an amazing 13 weeks (ten of which the EP held at the No. 1 position). Early in 1992, Michelle Leon amicably left the band and was replaced by Maureen Herman, an old friend and long-time fan of the band. Their second and most successful album, Fontanelle was released in August 1992 and was followed by the outtakes EP Painkillers in June 1993.
After a number of other tours, Babes in Toyland released Nemesisters, their third and final studio album, in 1995. After this, the band were on-off with Leon's departure leading to the dissolution of their record label contract. In 2001, the band reformed for one final time and performed their final show on November 25 in Minneapolis. After this, the band officially disbanded, however, Kat Bjelland performed a number of shows in Europe under the band's name, only to face legal action from former members if the tour went further ahead.
After much speculation, in 2014, Babes in Toyland had announced they reunited and announced tour dates.
In 2015, Maureen Herman was replaced by Clara Salyer.
Deep Song
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
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The lyrics to “Deep Song” by Babes in Toyland are a poignant exploration of the pain and isolation that can accompany a longing for love. The song depicts a narrator who is haunted by grief and loneliness, with both emotions represented by powerful natural imagery. The “lonely shadow” and “lonely wind” that hound the singer suggest an inescapable presence that is always with them, creating a sense of foreboding and unease. Even the rain becomes “sad haunted music” that intensifies the singer’s sense of despair.
In the face of this overwhelming sadness, the singer is drawn to the “ball of wool” that represents their grief. The need to go where it calls them, to “crawl in [their] door” and feel the pain yet again, is a testament to the intense emotional pull that grief can exert. The singer recognizes that they are destined for a “lonely land,” a place where there is “no helping hand” and love is a barren and unreachable dream. This realization is underscored by the repeated refrain of “never hoped to count on love,” which reflects a sense of resignation and acceptance in the face of an unbearable reality.
Overall, the lyrics of “Deep Song” offer a haunting depiction of the profound sadness that can accompany a longing for love. Through vivid natural imagery and a sense of resigned acceptance, the song captures the intensity of grief and the ways in which it can become a defining aspect of one’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
lonely grief is hounding me
I am overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness and sadness
like the lonely shadow hounding me
These feelings follow me around constantly
it's always there just out of sight
No matter where I go, the feeling is with me
like frightening breeze on a lightning night
It's as overwhelming as a storm
lonely wind cries out my name
I am reminded of my loneliness by everything around me
saddest haunted music in the rain
Even the rain seems to be singing a sad song to me
ball of grief and ball of wool
My sadness is tangled up with my emotions and my thoughts
but I hear it call and I've got to go
I can't escape this feeling
where can I head for the blues
I feel lost and don't know where to turn
crawl in my door to lick my heart once more
My sadness keeps coming back to haunt me
love lives in a lonely land
Love can be a lonely experience
where there is no helping hand
No one can truly understand what I'm going through
to understand why does it bring this ache to me
I can't comprehend why I feel this way
why it don't matter why I only know misery
My feelings are overwhelming, and I can't ignore them
has to be a part of me
This sadness is a part of who I am
never hope to count on love to be a partner of that heaven up above
Love may not always bring happiness or cure my sadness
never hoped to understand
I don't expect to fully comprehend my emotions
love is a barren land
Love can sometimes feel empty and deserted
a lonely land a lonely land
Love can be just as lonely as sadness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOUGLAS CROSS, GEORGE CORY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind