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.
Standing in the Way of the Light
Birdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have lost the words
To piece us back together
To tell you how it hurts
Cause lately we've been breaking
All we've built so far
And I'm tired of sitting waiting
Alone in the dark
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Round we go in circles
Does it have to be this hard?
We can stop the fighting
If you let down your guard
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
So come on, come on, come on
We've been living in the shadows too long
So come on, come on, come on
Just pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
(Come on, come on, come on...)
Pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
You're standing in the way of the light
The song “Standing in the Way of the Light” by Birdy is a heartbreaking song that describes a failing relationship that’s in desperate need of fixing. In the first verse, the writer describes how the relationship has been breaking down despite their best efforts to keep it together. She has lost the words to put it back together and tell her partner how much it hurts. The chorus repeats the message that the partner is standing in the way of the light, the light possibly being hope or positivity. However, they still believe that there is a way to fix things and they will find the strength to do it.
The song acknowledges that relationships can be hard work and can feel like you're going in circles at times, but they can be fixed if both parties are willing to put in the effort. The writer is asking her partner to let down their guard and stop fighting. In the end, the writer asks the partner to come on and join in the effort to fix the relationship and bring it out of the shadows. Pull back the veil, turn night into day, and don’t stand in the way of the light.
Overall, the song borrows symbols and metaphors to describe a relationship. The veil and shadows symbolize the darkness that the writer wants to break free from, while the light symbolizes hope and positivity for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the driving rain
Despite the stormy conditions around me,
I have lost the words
I am unable to express my feelings and thoughts properly
To piece us back together
To mend the broken relationship between us,
To tell you how it hurts
To communicate the pain and misery that I'm going through
Cause lately we've been breaking
Because our relationship has been deteriorating recently
All we've built so far
Despite all the effort we've put in our relationship,
And I'm tired of sitting waiting
I'm exhausted by waiting around for things to get better
Alone in the dark
Being left to my own devices in the dark
There's still a way to make it right
There's still hope to fix things between us
We'll find the strength this time
We possess the inner power to overcome our issues this time around
And pull back this veil
Remove the obstacles and limitations that are holding us back,
Turn night into day
Transform the dark times into moments of light and positivity
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
You're preventing us from moving towards a brighter future and stopping us from finding a resolution
Pour oil on these flames
Add fuel to the fire, taking bold action to reignite our passion and connection
Speed up my heart again
Make me feel alive and excited once more
Round we go in circles
We keep repeating the same patterns and never making any progress
Does it have to be this hard?
Is it necessary to face constant obstacles and challenges?
We can stop the fighting
We have the power to put an end to our conflicts
If you let down your guard
If you become open and vulnerable with me,
So come on, come on, come on
Let's get going, let's take action and move things forward
We've been living in the shadows too long
Our relationship has been in a dark place for far too long
Just pull back this veil
Simply remove the obstructions that are stopping us
You're standing in the way of the light
You're blocking us from progress and the possibility of a brighter future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRASER T. SMITH, JASMINE VAN DEN BOGAERDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@petsis2547
Through the driving rain
I have lost the words
To piece us back together
To tell you how it hurts
'Cause lately we've been breaking
All we've built so far
And I'm tired of sitting waiting
Alone in the dark
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Round we go in circles
Does it have to be this hard?
We can stop the fighting
If you let down your guard
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
So come on, come on, come on
We've been living in the shadows too long
So come on, come on, come on
Just pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't' you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
You're standing in the way of the light
You're standing in the way of the light
@sweetzluvs
Through the driving rain
I have lost the words
To piece us back together
To tell you how it hurts
Cause lately we've been breaking
All we've built so far
And I'm tired of sitting waiting
Alone in the dark
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Round we go in circles
Does it have to be this hard?
We can stop the fighting
If you let down your guard
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
So come on, come on, come on
We've been living in the shadows too long
So come on, come on, come on
Just pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
(Come on, come on, come on...)
Pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
You're standing in the way of the light
@madisonpeterson2910
Birdy is a wonderful artist-powerful and pure. Her music was there for me at the lowest point in my life. She's an underrated, inspirational woman.
@jambass66
I fully agree! I have just recently discovered her beautiful talents! I saw a Facebook ad for her, and though I normally ignore most of them, I clicked this one...I have been listening to her every day since! I have no idea how I didn't know about her until now, but I am so thankful I do !! She is brilliant...I am absolutely smitten...her vocals are beautiful, soaring and wonderful. I am absolutely 💯 HOOKED!
@neilcusworth1764
One of the deepest songs ever written how can a 15 year old girl write such a song she truly has magic in her heart God bless birdy
@chunkyc5378
Watching Being Mary Jane, and her voice drew me right in, downloaded the song, and I am A Witness! The world needs to hear your voice Ms.Birdy. You, also have talented and Proud Parents! I will be on the sideline cheering for you.
@petsis2547
Through the driving rain
I have lost the words
To piece us back together
To tell you how it hurts
'Cause lately we've been breaking
All we've built so far
And I'm tired of sitting waiting
Alone in the dark
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Round we go in circles
Does it have to be this hard?
We can stop the fighting
If you let down your guard
There's still a way to make it right
We'll find the strength this time
And pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
So come on, come on, come on
We've been living in the shadows too long
So come on, come on, come on
Just pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't' you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pull back this veil
Turn night into day
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
Pour oil on these flames
Speed up my heart again
Don't you know you're standing in the way of the light?
You're standing in the way of the light
You're standing in the way of the light
@ayis7067
I just thank Birdy and her songs for hitting me so hard like seriously I legit cry every single time I listen to this one! And yes, if someone feels kind of disconnected from everything and alone I suggest this song and Silhouette! The melody finds its way to come into you and cure your inner wounds kindly and peacefully . Again thank you
@ipushpeopleaway4979
It is said that they play Birdy's music in heaven...
On repeat...
@003taylorselena
Can’t explain why this is my favorite song of all time ❤️
@artloveruk1228
My friend told me about this song and I’m so glad. I love hearing it, I love how it feels to sing it, and what a beautiful voice Birdy has. Like silk and earth, fire and rain. I hope you keep singing and writing and sharing your gifts Birdy, for as long as you feel compelled to it. You have a wonderful talent – and wisdom with your youth.
@shikharrana5514
Her music was a great inspiration for me when I was in a dark dark place. We keep moving in life, and I was introduced to Birdy's music when I was in the state where I was happy with my life, and my first Birdy song was People Help the People. At that moment I thought it was a really really sad song. But times change, after a year I kind of hit my rock bottom (The second one) LOL, and her music was like the Best thing for me to recover from all the grief. Her music has that deep sense of melancholy that you feel when you are really disconnected with everything around you and there is just nothingness.