After she won the Under 18s category of the UK talent contest Open Mic UK at the age of 12, Bogaerde was soon offered a publishing contract by Good Soldier Songs Ltd, run by Christian Tattersfield, chairman of Warner Music UK. In 2011, at the age of 14, she released a haunting cover version of the Bon Iver "Skinny Love", which reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart. The track was later featured in an episode of The Vampire Diaries.
Her self-titled debut album, "Birdy", was released on 4th November, 2011 and featured "Skinny Love" , "1901" and "People Help The People", other notable tracks from the album include James Taylor's" Fire and Rain" and “Terrible Love” The album reached #1 in Australia, Belgium and The Netherlands, it also peaked at #13 in the UK.
In 2011, "Skinny Love" sold 259,000 copies in the UK becoming the third biggest selling rock single of that year. As of August 2016, the song had sold almost 800,000 copies in the UK.
In 2012, Birdy released an 8 track EP " Live in London “ which featured several tracks from her debut album plus a version of the Ed Sheeran song "The A Team “and "Just a Game from “The Hunger Games”
In July 2013 Birdy announced via YouTube, that her 2nd album would be released later in the year. She also previewed two new songs "Wings "and "No Angel" which would both be featured on her second studio album "Fire Within"
Her second studio album, "Fire Within" was released 23rd September, 2013. It featured 11 original songs, either written or co written by Birdy including Strange Birds, co-written with Sia.
The first single from the album was “Wings” released as a digital download then officially released in the UK on 8th September 2013. The song reached #8 on the UK charts, becoming Birdy’s first UK top 10. It was also featured in an episode of The Vampire Diaries. Subsequent singles were “No Angel”, Light Me Up” and “Words as Weapons”
In 2014, Birdy submitted three songs to the soundtrack of the film “The Fault In Our Stars” which stars “Shailene Woodley” and “Ansel Elgort”. “Not About Angels” was the second released single from the soundtrack album. Other Birdy contributions were “ Tee Shirt" and “ Best Shot"
On 25th March 2016, Birdy's third album "Beautiful Lies" was released, it featured the singles, "Keeping Your Head Up" ,"Wild Horses" and "Words" Once again her songwriting abilities were evident as she wrote or co wrote all of the 14 tracks.
Also in 2016 she was featured on the "Sigma" single " Find Me which was only a minor success in the UK.
Her song Ghost In The Wind" also appeared on the soundtrack of the film The Edge Of Seventeen
After an extensive tour of USA and Asia, she took a break from music, only to return with a new single called “ Open Your Heart" in 2020. The song was featured on the 4 track EP called “Piano Sketches”
Birdy’s fourth studio album “Young Heart” was then released on 30th April 2021, the first single “ Surrender” was issued earlier in 2021, a day after she had announced that her new album was coming. Birdy described the album as a heartbreak album heavily inspired by Joni Mitchell’s “Blue”
2023 saw the release of Birdy's fifth studio album “Portraits” It was released on 18th August 2023. “Raincatchers” was issued as the first single, which had been released earlier in 2023. Subsequent singles from the album have since followed, “Heartbreaker”, “Your Arms” and “Paradise Calling”
Birdy's music is described as folk, pop, indie folk. She cites her early music influences as Classical Music and Pop music that her parents would play. along with her own influences, which are so evident in her music(Bon Iver, George Michael and Keane)
Album Discography:
Birdy (2011)
Fire Within (2013)
Beautiful Lies (2016)
Young Heart (2021)
Portraits (2023)
Sites: Discogs, Wikipedia and YouTube.
Lighthouse
Birdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a storm on a dark night
In so deep
And it's pulling me from both sides
It's hard to stay upright
In this changing sea
And I'm so full of rage
Now I don't know who I've become
And another day breathes
Tearing at the seams
And I hope I don't come undone
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
So fire up a red light
Into the black sky
Do you see me now?
Do the echoes of my heart
Reach you where you are?
Do you hear the sound?
I still long to feel your touch
You're the iron in my blood
You know my love would never change
And I lie up in my bed
Fighting shadows in my head
And pray you'll get to me someway
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
Oh, lead me home
Back to safer shores
Oh, lead me home
Back to where I belong
Oh, lead me home
Back into your arms
Oh, lead me home
Home
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
When the sunrise won't come
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me me way
The lyrics to Birdy's song "Lighthouse" depict a sense of being lost and overwhelmed by life's challenges. The singer feels caught in a riptide, describing it as a storm on a dark night that pulls her from both sides, making it hard to stay upright. She expresses her frustration, feeling full of rage and not knowing who she has become. Each new day feels like it's tearing her apart, and she hopes she doesn't come undone.
The chorus serves as a plea for someone to be her guiding light in the darkness. She asks if they will be her lighthouse, showing her the way when she calls out their name. The imagery of stars rising and falling symbolizes the ups and downs she faces, and the desperation in her voice is evident as she longs for guidance and a sense of home. She wonders if her cries for help will reach the person she longs for, if they hear the echoes of her heart and understand the turmoil she is going through.
The song's emotional depth is further revealed in the second verse, where she confesses her longing for connection and the need to feel the touch of the person she loves. She describes them as the iron in her blood, signifying their importance and unchanging presence in her life. Even in her bed, she fights shadows in her head, pleading for them to find a way to be with her.
Overall, "Lighthouse" conveys a sense of vulnerability, longing, and the yearning for someone to provide guidance and support during trying times. The lyrics capture the essence of feeling lost at sea and desperately seeking a safe harbor.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught up in the riptide
Feeling overwhelmed and swept away by life's challenges
Like a storm on a dark night
Facing difficulties and uncertainties that obscure clarity and guidance
In so deep
Being deeply immersed and affected by the situation
And it's pulling me from both sides
Experiencing conflicting forces that are tugging at one's emotions and decisions
It's hard to stay upright
Struggling to remain balanced and steady in the midst of turmoil
In this changing sea
Navigating through a constantly shifting and unpredictable environment
And I'm so full of rage
Feeling consumed by anger and frustration
You used to keep that fire at bay
Previously, the person mentioned helped control and suppress these intense emotions
Now I don't know who I've become
Feeling lost and unsure about one's changed identity and demeanor
And another day breathes
Each new day brings fresh challenges and difficulties
Tearing at the seams
Feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of falling apart
And I hope I don't come undone
Desperately desiring to hold oneself together and not lose control
And when these stars rise and fall
During moments of celestial shifts and changes
And I can't find my way home
Feeling lost and disconnected from a place of comfort and belonging
Will you be my lighthouse?
Asking for support and guidance to find direction and stability
When I call out your name
Seeking assurance and presence from a specific person
Show me the way
Requesting assistance and clarity to navigate through challenges
So fire up a red light
Illuminate a signal or beacon to stand out in the darkness
Into the black sky
In the midst of a daunting and uncertain environment
Do you see me now?
Longing for recognition and acknowledgement from the intended recipient
Do the echoes of my heart
Wondering if one's emotions and desires can reach the intended person
Reach you where you are?
Questioning if the intended recipient can understand and empathize with the emotions expressed
Do you hear the sound?
Yearning for the intended recipient to listen and respond to the emotional plea
I still long to feel your touch
Craving physical and emotional connection with the intended person
You're the iron in my blood
The mentioned person is essential and deeply ingrained in one's being
You know my love would never change
Assuring that one's love and devotion remains steadfast and constant
And I lie up in my bed
Feeling restless and troubled while laying in bed
Fighting shadows in my head
Struggling with inner demons and negative thoughts
And pray you'll get to me someway
Hoping and wishing for the intended person to reach out or come back
Oh, lead me home
Requesting guidance and direction to return to a place of safety and belonging
Back to safer shores
Returning to a more secure and stable environment
Back to where I belong
Desiring to be reunited with the place or person that feels like home
Back into your arms
Longing to be embraced and comforted by the intended recipient
Oh, lead me home
Repeated plea for guidance and a sense of belonging
Home
Symbolizing a place of safety, comfort, and familiarity
When the sunrise won't come
During a time of prolonged darkness and hardship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jasmine Lucilla Elisabeth Van Den Bogaerde, Rachel Furner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zeiven Music ♪
LYRICS
Caught up in the riptide
Like a storm on a dark night
In so deep
And it's pulling me from both sides
It's hard to stay upright
In this changing sea
And I'm so full of rage
You used to keep that fire at bay
Now I don't know who I've become
And another day breathes
Tearing at the seams
And I hope I don't come undone
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
So fire up a red light
Into the black sky
Do you see me now?
Do the echoes of my heart
Reach you where you are?
Do you hear the sound?
I still long to feel your touch
You're the iron in my blood
You know my love would never change
And I lie up in my bed
Fighting shadows in my head
And pray you'll get to me someway
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
Oh lead me home
Back to safer shores
Oh lead me home
Back to where I belong
Oh lead me home
Back into your arms
Oh lead me home
Home
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
When the sunrise won't come
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me me way
(also i write music inspired by Lauv/Jeremy Zucker. Feel free to give my songs a listen and subscribe,most probably you'll have no regrets💛have a great dayyy:)
Osamu S
I'd love to hear a piano version of this song. Birdy said she originally wrote it on the piano :)
Ava
Omg that would sound so beautiful
Zeiven Music ♪
LYRICS
Caught up in the riptide
Like a storm on a dark night
In so deep
And it's pulling me from both sides
It's hard to stay upright
In this changing sea
And I'm so full of rage
You used to keep that fire at bay
Now I don't know who I've become
And another day breathes
Tearing at the seams
And I hope I don't come undone
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
So fire up a red light
Into the black sky
Do you see me now?
Do the echoes of my heart
Reach you where you are?
Do you hear the sound?
I still long to feel your touch
You're the iron in my blood
You know my love would never change
And I lie up in my bed
Fighting shadows in my head
And pray you'll get to me someway
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me the way
Oh lead me home
Back to safer shores
Oh lead me home
Back to where I belong
Oh lead me home
Back into your arms
Oh lead me home
Home
And when these stars rise and fall
And I can't find my way home
When the sunrise won't come
Will you be my lighthouse?
When I call out your name
Show me the way
Will you be my lighthouse?
Will you shine out?
Show me me way
(also i write music inspired by Lauv/Jeremy Zucker. Feel free to give my songs a listen and subscribe,most probably you'll have no regrets💛have a great dayyy:)
Mac Christian
I Love birdy since 2011
Emanuelly Silva
Yesss!
Cristina Gamboa
THIS IS PERFECTION 💗
Sergio Lyra
linda de mais... q melodia, instrumental impecável. Brasil :)
Asmereg
This makes me feel better about my life. Thanks for such a gem Birdy ❤️✨
Patrick Le
The guitar-led instrumental and new lightness makes Birdy's new songs almost sound like Praise and Worship!
Christopher
Well… this song could be interpreted as such.. :)