Debut EP, The Boat Of The Fragile Mind, out April 9.
Biography
London native Amelia Bushell caught the attention of Thomas Servidone while performing at an open mic in Brooklyn, NY. The chance encounter between the two turned into a collaboration that would quickly become Belle Mare.
After just the first two meetings between the two, the duo had written their first two songs, one of them being their first single, "The Boat of the Fragile Mind", a haunting pop ballad that would define their signature blend of serene vocal melodies, ornamented with subtle pianos and dazzling synth textures.
Within the next four months, the duo wrote and recorded their first full length album, The Boat of the Fragile Mind, all in the modest confines of Thomas's apartment in Brooklyn.
With influences ranging from Sibylle Baier and Mazzy Star to darker indie acts such as The Notwist and Grouper, Belle Mare effortlessly compounds a modern vibe with retrospective leanings to create something nostalgic yet exploratory.
The City
Belle Mare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Says you're not content
In a foreign land
I remember that
You never came to the city
You never came to the city
What did you think I would do?
Stay in and wait for you?
I don't do that.
I'm in another place
Now than I was a week ago.
It's been tiring on my mind.
And nothing's ever clearer than
I might be mad
I might be mad
I might be mad
You shouldn't come to the city.
You shouldn't come to my apartment.
Oh if only you weren't as nice…
I really want you by my side.
Belle Mare's song, "The City," revolves around a person who had to move to a foreign land and had to leave their significant other behind. The singer narrates how their intelligence informs them that their lover is not happy in their current place of residence. The line, "My intelligence says you're not content in a foreign land," suggests that the singer knows their lover too well, and they can sense their feelings just by their intelligence.
In the chorus, the singer reminisces how their significant other has never visited the city before, emphasizing the geographical distance separating them. However, the singer feels that the burden of waiting for their lover is too much to bear, and as a result, they have moved on with their life. The line, "What did you think I would do? Stay in and wait for you? Well, I don't do that… I don't do that," indicates that the singer had to move on with their life because they could not wait for their significant other indefinitely.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on how their life has changed since they moved to a new city. They feel a sense of madness and confusion due to the sudden changes. Moreover, the singer warns their lover not to visit them in the city or their apartment because they desire to have them in their life again. The line, "You shouldn't come to the city. You shouldn't come to my apartment. Oh, if only you weren't as nice… I really want you by my side," indicates that the singer still has feelings for their lover but cannot have them too close to avoid heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
My intelligence
My mind and reasoning tell me
Says you're not content
You are not happy or satisfied
In a foreign land
Being in a different country or place
I remember that
I recall and think about
You never came to the city
You never visited me where I live
You never came to the city
You never visited me where I live
What did you think I would do?
What did you expect me to do?
Stay in and wait for you?
Stay and do nothing until you arrive?
Well I don't do that…
I don't behave that way
I'm in another place
My mind and situation have changed
Now than I was a week ago.
Different from how I was last week
It's been tiring on my mind.
It's mentally exhausting or challenging
And nothing's ever clearer than
And there's nothing more certain than
I might be mad
I could be crazy or irrational
I might be mad
I could be crazy or irrational
You shouldn't come to the city.
It's not advisable for you to visit me here.
You shouldn't come to my apartment.
It's not a good idea for you to come to my place.
Oh if only you weren't as nice…
If only you weren't so kind and appealing
I really want you by my side.
I genuinely desire you to be with me
Contributed by Addison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Wild Honey Pie
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Emma Murphy
They really deserve more views. :(
saavoix
This is magical.
Sarah Heinemann
I love you Belle Mare!
Austra
"Oh if only you weren't as nice, I really want you by my side" my heart 💔
The Wild Honey Pie
I agree! :)