The band takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the two lived together after college and has released three albums, "Charm School" (2003), "The Broken String" (2007) and "Grrr..." (2009).
Charm School (2003)
Charm School was Bishop Allen's first record. Recorded in fits and starts over two years, it grew song-by-song as Rice and Rudder wrote and played in their spare time. They recorded all the instruments on the album's 13 songs themselves, using drum loops to hide the fact that neither is a drummer, and almost everything on the record was recorded one track at a time in an ordinary bedroom. Backing vocals by Bonnie Schiff-Glenn and Kate Dollenmayer and supplementary drums by Coll Anderson, all added in the album's final stages, completed the songs.
The EP Project (2006)
In 2006, Bishop Allen recorded and released an EP every month of the year. Each record was titled for the month of its release (January, February, and so on), and, with the exception of August, which was a 14-song live disc, each contained four new studio songs.
The Broken String (2007)
In November 2006, Bishop Allen signed to Dead Oceans, a new sister label to Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, for a modest advance. They began recording a new record that January, at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, and delivered it two months later. This is Bishop Allen's first true studio recording and was released by Dead Oceans on July 24, 2007.
Grrr.... (2009)
Released in March 2009, this doesn't stray from Bishop Allen's specific brand of lovely indie pop.
Coupla' Easy Things
Bishop Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you spend so much time apart
I gave up my freedom
But I gained a second heart
Second heart is all I need this fall
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to sleep
When you haven't got a choice
Telephone turn on sunshine
When it sends you the right voice
The right voice is all I need this fall
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to sleep
Hello to the angry phone bill
They charge for my whole life
Wise man, he once told me,
Cut the cord with a kitchen knife
Kitchen knife is all I need this fall
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to, zzz,
Bishop Allen's song Coupla Easy Things is a love song that speaks about finding comfort and solace in the presence of a loved one. The lines "Spending time together is easy, when you spend so much time apart. I gave up my freedom, but I gained a second heart" suggest that distance in a relationship can make it difficult, but at the same time, it can help strengthen the bond between two people. The singer hints at surrendering their individuality for the sake of their relationship, but they see it as a fair trade-off for gaining a more profound connection. The lyrics highlight the importance of being with someone who can offer emotional support and love.
The second verse, "Making good decisions is easy when you haven't got a choice. Telephone turn on sunshine when it sends you the right voice," is about making the right decision when faced with difficult choices. The telephone is personified, almost acting as a magic 8 ball that brings sunshine in those moments when you need it most. The right voice symbolizes someone who will guide and support the singer on their path, again emphasizing the importance of having someone to lean on. The song creates a warm atmosphere, expressing the comfort that comes from knowing you have someone to rely on in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending time together is easy
Being in each other's company becomes effortless
When you spend so much time apart
It's easier to treasure the moments of togetherness after periods of distance
I gave up my freedom
I sacrificed some of my independence
But I gained a second heart
But in return, I found someone to share my life with
Second heart is all I need this fall
The love and companionship of my partner is enough for me this autumn
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to sleep
'Cause I'm in need of a lullaby to drift off
Making good decisions is easy
Deciding wisely becomes simpler when the options are limited
When you haven't got a choice
When your alternatives are scarce
Telephone turn on sunshine
A phone call can bring joy and positivity to my day
When it sends you the right voice
Especially when the message comes from someone dear
The right voice is all I need this fall
The sound of a comforting voice is what I crave this season
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to sleep
'Cause I'm looking for someone to soothe me into slumber
Hello to the angry phone bill
Greetings to the unpleasant bill for my calls
They charge for my whole life
It seems like they are billing me for everything
Wise man, he once told me,
I once received a smart piece of advice:
Cut the cord with a kitchen knife
Disconnect from them by any means necessary
Kitchen knife is all I need this fall
A knife from my kitchen is enough for me this autumn
'Cause you know, I need someone to sing me to, zzz,
'Cause I'm off to dreamland with the help of my loving partner
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christian Rudder, Justin Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind