Khan graduated Brighton University, in music and visual arts, where her experimental multi-media / installation / animation / performance art's influences spanned tape loop / effects pioneer Steve Reich and installation / performance artist Susan Hiller. Afterwards, when working as a nursery school teacher, she began writing for her début. "Whenever I'm writing music it's a very visual place in my mind," she said, "It has a location full of characters and colours and landscapes, so those two things really complement each other, and they help the other one to blossom and support the other. They are like brother and sister." Bat for Lashes music has been likened to that of Björk (who herself attended Khan's early gigs), Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Annie Lennox, Tori Amos and Fiona Apple.
"The Wizard" was primarily released on 7-inch from Khan's own She Bear label and subsequently Fur and Gold on Echo. In 2007, she was honoured with a ASCAP Vanguard Award and selected to open the prestigious ASCAP Presents⊠2007, 14 Mar in Austin, TX, USA (an industry showcase, within SXSW 2007). Later, via a small Manimal Vinyl Fur and Gold pressing (May 2007), Bat for Lashes transferred to Parlophone. She appeared at Glastonbury 2007 (23 June).
In July 2007, Fur and Gold, Joe's Pub, NYC, on 1 May 2007 recordings and a Plaid remix, yielded EP What's A Girl To Do? (7 Jul 2007, EMI). Then on the 17th, the album's 2007 Mercury Prize nomination was announced - despite being a UK media favourite to win, it lost to Klaxons' Myths of the Near Future. 25 Jul 2007, at Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY was the fist gig of a three month North American tour, interrupted only by European festival appearances.
In 2008, Bat for Lashes was nominated for Brit Awards ('Best British Breakthrough Act' and 'Best British Female'), her distinctive What's a Girl to Do? video brought her to prominence and, starting with Malahide Castle, Dublin, IE, on 6 Jun 2008, she toured with Radiohead for a month, opening more than a dozen European shows. Perfect As Cats: A Tribute to the Cure (Oct 2008, Manimal Vinyl), included her cover of A Forest.
The lead single for her second album was "Daniel" and released in March. On 23 February, Khan revealed in an interview on radio station XFM that the cover for the single had been shot on Brighton beach, near her home. She also designed a limited edition cover for Fact Magazine which coincided with an interview she did for them. Bat for Lashes released her second album Two Suns in April 2009, which received comparisons to the work of Stevie Nicks, Dolores O'Riordan and Fleetwood Mac.
Bat for Lashes live backing during the Two Suns tours, as March 2009, included among others: Ben Christophers, Charlotte Hatherley and Sarah Jones (drums - of New Young Pony Club). She appeared on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. She performed an acoustic version of the single, "Daniel," and also covered "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. Her first appearance on US broadcast television was 1 May 2009 on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing the song "Daniel". On May 15, 2009 she appeared on NPR (World Cafe) where she performed "Daniel", "Moon and Moon (piano only) and Prescilla".
On June 13, 2012 Bat for Lashes announced the title of her upcoming third studio album "The Haunted Man" to be released in October. The album was produced, as with Fur And Gold and Two Suns, by Faultline. While not performing as well in Europe as Two Suns, The Haunted Man was her highest charting album in the US to date, at #64. Singles "Laura", "All Your Gold", "A Wall", and "Lilies" followed.
Siren Song
Bat for Lashes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I stay with you a while?
Can I stop off in your bed tonight?
I can make you smile
In the morning I'll make you breakfast
In the evening I'll warm the bed
And I'll always be happy to kiss you
'Til the siren come calling, calling
It's driving me evil, evil
Mama was a heartbreaker, loved you
The same way I do
But I've got so much wickedness and sin
My name is Pearl and I love you
The best way I know how
My blonde curls slice through your heart
And the siren come calling
It won't be long
Until you're running
Help you dress yourself up fancy
And bathe you when you get sore
I'll be good
I think I could
Be all you would want and more and more
Be proud when you dazzle the wanderers
Glitter your eyes for the town
Tell every last boy that you're my man
I'll try not to let you down
'Til the siren come calling, calling
It's driving me evil, evil
Mama was a heartbreaker, loved you
The same way I do
But I've got so much wickedness and sin
My name is Pearl and I love you
The best way I know how
My blonde curls slice through your heart
And the stars are exploding in your eyes
It won't be long until you're running
No, it won't be long 'til you're running
It won't be long until you're running
It won't be long until you're running
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
The lyrics to Bat for Lashes' song "Siren Song" depict the singer, named Pearl, as an enigmatic figure luring in a lover. The first verse implies that Pearl is asking for someone's hospitality, wanting to stay with them and comfort them. Despite the seemingly kind nature of her actions, the chorus suggests a darker side to Pearl, as she refers to the siren that will eventually call her away. This allusion to mythology, where sirens sing sailors to their deaths, indicates that Pearl may not be trustworthy or stable, and her wickedness and sins may be what ultimately drive her away from her lover.
As the song continues, Pearl promises to be everything her lover needs, from dressing them up to being good to them. This seemingly idyllic situation is upended by the constant references to the siren and Pearl's own evilness, suggesting that her behavior is not entirely genuine. The repeated declarations of love are contrasted by the ominous imagery of the stars exploding and the repetition of the line "it won't be long until you're running," further emphasizing the unpredictability of Pearl's character and the fear that she may not always be who she seems to be.
Overall, "Siren Song" is a haunting and ambiguous exploration of the darker side of love and lust, using vivid imagery and lyrical repetition to create a sense of unease and tension throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you my family?
Asking if the person is someone to rely on and calling for a sense of belonging.
Can I stay with you a while?
Requesting hospitality and comfort temporarily.
Can I stop off in your bed tonight?
Asking for intimacy and closeness.
I can make you smile
Offering to bring happiness and joy to the person's life.
In the morning I'll make you breakfast
Promising to take care of the person's needs and start their day right.
In the evening I'll warm the bed
Offering to provide comfort and warmth in the night.
And I'll always be happy to kiss you
Promising to show affection and love to the person.
Promise I'll never get sad
Assuring the person that the artist will be strong and supportive no matter what.
'Til the siren come calling, calling
Referring to the irresistible lure of temptation and danger.
It's driving me evil, evil
Acknowledging the dark and malicious nature of the siren's call.
Mama was a heartbreaker, loved you
Comparing the singer's love to that of their mother, who also caused heartbreak.
The same way I do
Explaining that the artist's love may also have the potential to cause heartbreak.
But I've got so much wickedness and sin
Admitting that the singer has a dark and troubled past.
My name is Pearl and I love you
Identifying the singer and reaffirming their love for the person.
The best way I know how
Expressing the singer's honest and truest feelings.
My blonde curls slice through your heart
Describing the artist's physical appearance and the intensity of their love.
And the siren come calling
Repeating the earlier reference to the temptation of the siren's call.
It won't be long
Suggesting that the person may not resist the call for long.
Until you're running
Anticipating that the person will ultimately succumb to the siren's call.
Help you dress yourself up fancy
Offering to assist the person in looking their best.
And bathe you when you get sore
Offering to provide care and comfort to the person.
I'll be good
Promising to be a positive influence and a force for good in their life.
I think I could
Admitting that the singer is not entirely sure of their abilities.
Be all you would want and more and more
Assuring the person that the artist will do their best to exceed their expectations.
Be proud when you dazzle the wanderers
Supporting the person in their individuality and encouraging them to shine.
Glitter your eyes for the town
Encouraging the person to express themselves and be noticed.
Tell every last boy that you're my man
Claiming the person as their own and displaying possession over them.
I'll try not to let you down
Promising to avoid disappointing the person and be a dependable companion.
And the stars are exploding in your eyes
Describing the person's intense emotion and passion.
No, it won't be long 'til you're running
Reiterating that the person will likely succumb to the call of temptation.
'Cause I'm evil
Acknowledging the darker aspects of the singer's personality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Natasha Khan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
consumedbyfire13
Great song. The climax of the song gives me chills. Heard it off of Vampire Diaries and thought it was amazing.
Base of A.C.E
If you actually consider the background to this song, that it's about the damaged woman Pearl and realise that there is a story to this album, it creates a much deeper meaning to the songs on this album, most notably this song. For more info see Natasha's doco on her live channel. She has always been more than a singer/singwriter; a story teller, an artist and a performer and seems to write this music for her own benefit, not to be "special and indie'.
ozziecol Shields
I am over 60y.o. and have the past few days just heard Bat for Lashes and I feel very humbled by the sheer brilliant sound and power of all her singing. The last 50 years has produced a multitude of really wonderful artists,but this woman`s talents are the best I have seen and heard. I just hope she doesn`t flood the market too much. Stay special!!!
Yellow Drum Productions
It's a great song. If it wasn't people who found it on Top Gear wouldn't have come here. I've discovered countless amazing songs I'd never heard of before they appeared on Top Gear
michyrock1
This is not just music, this is magic.
Francesca BonBon
Listened to this song first when I was 16, it became one of my all time favorites and after all these years, now, at 28, it manages to make me tear up still. Idek why
Wumbowolf
I love how intense it gets when the drums kick in. This is a beautifully sad and cruel song about a woman trying her best to nurture a relationship while fighting off the dark and destructive side of human nature.
KittieDanger
534wiseoldwolf it's beauty in what's a beautiful disaster of most relationships. All of mine. I feel like the poster child. Hauntingly beautiful.
TheMovieDoctorful
It kind of reminds me of Anakin's feelings for Padme.
Billybragg
We miss you Ayrton but you will never be forgotten. You still impact new generations to be the best we can be. Thank you