The foundations of the band were built after a 2013 post Stephanie Phillips put online, seeking like-minded women to start a Black feminist punk band to address the lack of diversity in the D.I.Y. movement. Kiera Coward-Deyell joined on bass and Chardine Taylor-Stone on drums, with Phillips taking lead guitar duties. Taking their name from Phillips' mother Joan, the trio played their debut gig at the cooperatively run D.I.Y. Space for London's First Timers. That same year the band released their first single, "Out in the Country," a lo-fi instrumental track that offered little indication of how the band would later develop. 2014 saw Big Joanie put out their more expansive four-track debut EP Sistah Punk, but it was 2016's Crooked Room, released on their own Sistah Punk Records, that marked their biggest development. From the sparsely arranged build of the title track to their discordant take on TLC's "No Scrubs," Big Joanie asserted their unique character. In 2017, Coward-Deyell moved to Scotland and was replaced by Estella Adeyeri on bass. The year also found the group supporting American punk band Downtown Boys on their U.K. tour. In 2018, Big Joanie built on their wider exposure, releasing their debut long-player, produced by Margo Broom (Fat White Family) issued by Thurston Moore and Eva Prinz's Daydream Library. Sistahs honored the legacy of bands like X-Ray Spex against the whitewashing of punk's heritage, and the feminist purview of riot grrrls Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, with a collection of rhythmically curious and melodically rich songs. Following touring with the likes of Parquet Courts, Sleater-Kinney, and Bikini Kill, as well as their own headline dates, the trio released a cover of Solange's "Cranes in the Sky" in 2020 before inking a deal with Kill Rock Stars for U.S. releases. Their first effort for the label, a split single with Charmpit, followed soon after. Returning to the studio again with Margo Broom, they started work on their sophomore release, with the resulting album, Back Home, issued at the tail-end of 2022.
Biography by Bekki Bemrose
In My Arms
Big Joanie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You tight it's harder in the night time
The city is a fright to me tread carefully
I've compromised too many times in my life
One day, I'll make the great escape
And send another you away but now I dream
Of you in my arms of you in my arms
So now I dream of you in my arms
Of you in my arms of you in my arms
Of you in my arms of you in my arms
Of you in my arms of you in my arms
Of you in my arms
It's been a while, I must confide
(And I dream of you)
Since I could find you by my side
(So I dream of you)
I cross my heart, slow down my mind
(And I dream of you)
I can't seem to leave you behind
(So I dream of you)
My conversation's all gone wrong
(And I dream of you)
My words fall out, they are no more
(So I dream of you)
And through it all, I am assured
(And I dream of you)
I know myself, I loved you more
(So I dream of you) and I dream of you
So I dream of you and I dream of you
So I dream of you
The lyrics to Big Joanie's song "In My Arms" are about missing someone and dreaming of having them back in your life. The singer is struggling to get through the night without their loved one and finds it difficult to navigate their surroundings, describing the city as frightening. They admit to compromising in their life too many times and wanting to escape from their current situation. Despite this, they dream of having their loved one back in their arms.
The repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes the singer's desires and emotions. By continually repeating the phrase "of you in my arms," the singer is trying to manifest their dream into reality. The verses portray the singer's struggle to move on without their lover and how their attempts to communicate and socialize have been futile. They long for a connection with their loved one and can't help but continually dream of them.
Overall, the song depicts the pain and emptiness experienced when someone is missing from your life. It highlights the longing for someone and the difficulty of letting go of past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a while since I've held
It's been quite some time since I last held someone as dear to me as you.
You tight it's harder in the night time
Holding you tightly is difficult, especially during the dark hours when my fears surface.
The city is a fright to me tread carefully
I find this city daunting and intimidating, so I take great caution as I navigate through its streets to ensure my safety.
I've compromised too many times in my life
I've given up too much in the past, and I am no longer willing to settle for less than what I truly want.
One day, I'll make the great escape
One day, I'll break free from all that is binding me and make a run for it.
And send another you away but now I dream
For now, I will continue to dream of being with you, even though I may entertain the idea of being with someone else in the future.
Of you in my arms of you in my arms
My thoughts constantly drift towards the pleasure and comfort of cuddling with you.
So now I dream of you in my arms
Currently, my greatest wish is to be holding you close to me.
It's been a while, I must confide
I must admit it has been quite some time since we were last in each other's company.
(And I dream of you)
Despite our distance, I still vividly imagine us spending time together.
Since I could find you by my side
I can remember the last time we were together, and it feels like forever ago.
(So I dream of you)
That's why I content myself with dreaming of the wonderful moments we could share together.
I cross my heart, slow down my mind
I make a solemn vow to clear my thoughts and composed myself in preparation for our in-person meeting.
(And I dream of you)
Even as I make this commitment to myself, I keep feeling your presence in my mind.
I can't seem to leave you behind
I can't seem to shake off my attachment and feelings for you.
(So I dream of you)
It's no use, so I continue to indulge in my fantasies and daydreams of us together.
My conversation's all gone wrong
Lately, I find myself unable to articulate my thoughts and words when you're around.
My words fall out, they are no more
I try to talk to you, yet my mind shuts down, and I'm unable to say anything at all.
(So I dream of you)
This is why I prefer to retreat back into my cocoon of dreams and hopes, where I can be myself.
And through it all, I am assured
Through all the uncertainty and chaos in my life, I know that my feelings for you remain strong and steadfast.
I know myself, I loved you more
I've come to the realization that I loved you more than anything else, even if it means we can't be together.
(So I dream of you) and I dream of you
Dreaming of you has become a coping mechanism for my love-sick heart to deal with this distance between us.
So I dream of you and I dream of you
All I can do is hope and spend my days addressing my thoughts and desires by dreaming of you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katwamba01
So beautiful, love the queer youth representation! Groovy song too I can’t wait for the new album!
Kcc 777
EU TÔ APAIXONADO NESSA MÚSICA AAAAAA 🇧🇷🇧🇷
Maysa Amaral
man just found that band via instagram recommendations and DUDE their songs are soooooo good i love it
sally novak
Great song. Wishing for all good things in the music biz for this extraordinary band. ❤🎸
Lu S.N
Really good I love this type of music.
Muito bom eu adoro esse tipo de música.
Once a Klainer Always a Klainer
This song feels cozy I love it ❤️
Jonathan Haynes
Totally exceptional, my new morning commute song. Loved seeing you at greenman last year and you’re still bringing it, long may it continue
Celine Cândido
Saludos desde Brasil 🇧🇷 Amo o estilo de vocês, parabéns pelo trabalho. Já sou fã!
Nacho Bade
This song is amazing and beautiful
pcCAT33
Go beautiful youth! ♡
Love your sound.