Raised in a musical family (her mother played harpsichords that her father built), Rogers has been living and breathing music since she was 6 years old. After earning a bachelors and masters degree in music composition from SUNY Purchase, she began a steady routine of recording and touring in support of her own music and as a back up singer and lead guitarist for indie-pop artist, Ingrid Michaelson.
During a rare few months off this winter, she decided to hibernate in her Brooklyn home and write a new record. In between working on the songs, she picked up a book called "Your Inner Fish" by Neil Shubin. "The book is about our evolution from life as far back as pre-historic fish and microbes and how that has affected our bodies and our lives now. It really grabbed me and I found myself a bit obsessed. I started to look at everything we do in life as a product of evolution, and many of the songs on this record were inspired by that idea," says Rogers.
Produced by Chris Kuffner (Ingrid Michaelson's Girls and Boys) and recorded partly in a Maine farmhouse studio owned by Sam Kassirer (producer of Josh Ritter and Erin McEown) and partly in Rogers’ home studio in Brooklyn, Out Of The Ocean features a host of talented friends including Ingrid Michaelson, Allie Moss, Ian Axel, Saul Simon-MacWilliams, Elliot Jacobson and Dave Eggar (Train, Beyonce). Like Rogers' live shows, the songs themselves have a huge dynamic range. From the haunting underwater mermaid ballad "In the Waves," to the synth-laden robot love song "Math and Science," to the driving pop-rock sing-along "Water and Dirt," Out Of The Ocean mirrors our understanding of life and love through time while maintaining a pop sensibility that Rogers is known for.
Like her previous releases, Bess Rogers Presents Bess Rogers (2010), Travel Back EP (2009) and Decisions Based On Information (2007), Out Of The Ocean was made and released independently. Knowing that this new record would require a more substantial budget, Rogers put out the call to her fans through Kickstarter. Within two days of launching the campaign, the initial goal of $10,000 was met; and by the end she had raised $26,000 with over 500 backers. "It was amazing." says Rogers. "The amount of support it got was mind-blowing and made me even more excited to make this record and get it out there into the world."
Bess' music has been featured on such television shows as One Tree Hill, Pretty Little Liars, Raising The Bar, and Switched At Birth, and a national Motts for Tots commercial. She has shared the stage with Ingrid Michaelson, Loudon Wainwright, Ari Hest, Ian Axel, Allie Moss and more. Out Of The Ocean was released on October 4, 2011, and was supported by a extensive tour in the US and the UK.
Yellow Bird
Bess Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave you my word you'd be fine
I said I'd be at your side
One more reason to go
Far from the soot and the snow
Just another told you so
I let the birds pick you apart
I sealed the cage around your heart
Yellow bird in the mine
I gave you my word you' be fine
The lyrics to Bess Rogers's song Yellow Bird seem to be centered around a theme of betrayal, regret and the pain that comes with it. The opening line references a "yellow bird in the mines", which is typically a metaphor for something or someone trapped and unable to escape. The singer then says that they "gave you my word you'd be fine" and "said I'd be at your side", indicating that they had promised to protect and support the person represented by the bird. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer has failed to keep this promise - they are leaving the bird behind for "one more reason to go" and are being dismissive of their feelings and concerns with the phrase "just another told you so". The final lines of the song, "I sealed the cage around your heart, I let the birds pick you apart" suggest that the singer has caused the person they were supposed to look after significant emotional damage.
Overall, the lyrics to Yellow Bird seem to be a powerful expression of regret and guilt, acknowledging the harm that can come from failing to be there for someone who needs you. The image of the yellow bird in the mines is particularly striking, highlighting the vulnerability and isolation that can result from feeling trapped and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow bird in the mines
A metaphorical bird that represents a person who is feeling trapped or stuck in a difficult situation.
I gave you my word you'd be fine
I promised you that you would be okay and safe from harm. But sometimes promises cannot be kept.
I said I'd be at your side
I promised to support you and be there for you, but I failed to keep my promise.
One more reason to go
An additional motive to leave or pursue a different path from the current one.
Far from the soot and the snow
A desire to escape from a place or situation that is filled with hardship, filth, or negativity.
Just another told you so
A sense of frustration or disappointment toward those who warned or advised against the current path, and now the person is acknowledging that their warnings were right.
I sealed the cage around your heart
I caused you to feel trapped, powerless, and emotionally closed off. It could be through my actions or words.
I let the birds pick you apart
I allowed other people or circumstances to harm or hurt you, without doing anything to stop it or protect you.
Yellow bird in the mine
Repeating the opening line to emphasize that the person is still feeling trapped and helpless, even though they were promised safety.
I gave you my word you'd be fine
Repeating the chorus to create a sense of regret and apology for not keeping my promise and failing to protect the person from harm.
Contributed by Aaliyah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
James C
I heard this song on Pandora. After I typed in "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam it came up with songs like it I guess. Haha and this song is really awesome.I love music and it really sounds like you enjoy writing your music. Thanks =)