As a child she was always singing. Edale, in Derbyshire, was the ideal place to nurture this natural ability, with an abundance of communal song. Having played the fiddle a small amount at school, Bella attended a Folkworks Youth Summer School in Durham age 13. Motivated by the number of young people playing folk music, she was inspired to begin working on folk fiddle. She also met many of her great friends and musical companions.
Some of these new friends arranged to meet up again, and on New Year's Day a year later The Pack was formed. Initially The Pack was a way for this group of people to get free tickets to festivals. The spirited performances and complex arrangements of the 12 piece band proved a resounding success, and they went on to play many of the scene's greatest stages, including Cambridge Folk Festival main stage in 2003. In 2002, the only Pack album 12 Little Devils was released, with fRoots calling it "... a genuine feel good album. Get yours now!".
Hardy released her debut solo album Night Visiting in 2007, to critical acclaim. Mojo gave her a 4* 'Brilliant' rating, fRoots wrote "Bella Hardy is more than a new generation folk revivalist... Her potential is massive", and Taplas Magazine noted "...her debut CD solo album is a piece of wondrous beauty and inventive incisiveness". In 2008 she was nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. She was also nominated for Best Original Song the same year with Three Black Feathers, which Jim Moray went on to record on his 2008 album Low Culture.
Hardy released her second solo album In The Shadow of Mountains in 2009 at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Again it gained critical acclaim. English Dance and Song Magazine wrote "It's astounding and somewhat daunting to realise this is only Bella's second album... Surely no-one has any right to be writing songs with the sophistication of 'Sylvie Sovay', so early in their career..."
Another Whisky Song
Bella Hardy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After whiskies one and three
When his kisses sweet and sticky come so freely
But when there's an old waltz from the band
And it's time to take my hand
That's when my man can't be found
My love's day's only done
When I hide out in the yard so he won't find me
But when he's passed out in his chair
Well why don't I leave him there?
It's because I know he needs me
My man needs me and just another glass of whisky
The lyrics in Bella Hardy's song Another Whisky Song explore the complicated nature of a relationship between two people who heavily drink whiskey. The singer depicts a love that only appears after consuming whiskies one and three. These phases of whiskey consumption are characterized by the sweet and sticky kisses that the singer receives from her partner. However, the situation changes when an old waltz begins playing, and it's time to dance. Despite the singer's desire to dance with her partner, he becomes unavailable and can't be found.
The second verse of the song portrays a different aspect of the couple's relationship. The singer chronicles how her partner's day comes to an end only after consuming whiskey three and one. To avoid him, she hides in the yard, hoping he won't find her. But when he passes out in his chair, she doesn't leave him there but stays to take care of him. The singer, therefore, reveals that her partner needs her, and whiskey, to survive.
The song is a poignant depiction of a relationship that, although it has its problems, still holds on. Life isn't perfect, and sometimes we hold on to the things and people we love despite their flaws. Another Whisky Song highlights how alcohol can influence a relationship and add complexity to it. Ultimately, the song portrays the intricacies of love.
Line by Line Meaning
My darling really loves me
My significant other feels genuine affection towards me
After whiskies one and three
Once my partner has had two alcoholic beverages
When his kisses sweet and sticky come so freely
When he becomes more physically affectionate
But when there's an old waltz from the band
When a certain style of music is played by the musicians
And it's time to take my hand
And my partner should ask me to dance
That's when my man can't be found
That's when my significant other disappears
My love's day's only done
My partner's day is only complete
After whiskies three and one
After consuming one whiskey and then two more
When I hide out in the yard so he won't find me
When I move outside to avoid being found by my significant other
But when he's passed out in his chair
But when he has become unconscious in his seat
Well why don't I leave him there?
Why don't I simply let him remain in that position?
It's because I know he needs me
This is because I am aware that he requires my assistance
My man needs me and just another glass of whisky
Not only does my significant other require my help, but he also wants another drink
Writer(s): BELLA HARDY
Contributed by John F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.