The name "Blake Babies" was provided by the poet Allen Ginsberg; following a reading at Harvard University, the group (which had just begun to play together) raised their hands and asked him to name their band. Ginsberg's suggestion was likely inspired by the first half of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. The name proved quite apt in regard to what was perhaps the group's most distinctive aspect: the juxtaposition of Hatfield's pure, somewhat thin and childlike (yet forceful) vocal quality with often surprisingly acerbic lyrics.
Musically, the Blake Babies' songs are highly melodic, with instruments supporting rather than covering vocals; in this way, their music falls somewhere between pop and rock and could be described as "power pop". Songs are generally upbeat and the group's work features both female (Hatfield) and male (Strohm) vocals, often together in harmony or in octaves. Strohm's intricate guitar picking style and preference for a "clean" (as opposed to distorted) guitar tone owes much to R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, although Neil Young and punk rock are other important influences. Close listening shows that Hatfield's bass playing is particularly expressive, using octaves and sliding tones to create melodies as well as anchoring bass lines. Songs are carefully constructed, with sophisticated harmonic and dynamic shifts showing the results of the band members' training at the Berklee School of Music.
The Blake Babies toured the United States and Europe, eventually achieving a moderate amount of notice, particularly among listeners of college age who were appreciative of the group's "intelligent" brand of rock music. The band's music (released on the independent North Carolina-based record label Mammoth Records) received little airplay on commercial radio, instead being played primarily on college radio stations.
The group formally disbanded in 1991 but reunited briefly in late 1999, performing a few shows in 1999 and 2000 and embarking on one last U.S. tour in 2001.
Following the band's breakup, Hatfield went on to fame as a solo artist, and Strohm and Love continued to perform together in the Indiana-based group Antenna. Hatfield and Love have since worked together in the band Some Girls along with fellow musician Heidi Gluck.
Star
Blake Babies Lyrics
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I never know if you'll come around.
I like the salty taste in my mouth.
Ten minutes on the lips, ten days without.
If I were a star,
Would you look at me when you're lying there in the dark?
If I called on you from far away,
What would you say if I shined at night?
If everyone wanted a piece of my light?
Would you say the name?
Would you finally be the guy who can't get enough of me?
If I were a star,
Would you think of me when you're lying there in the dark?
If I called on you from far away,
Would you say the things I want you to say?
Just think of what I could be and not what I am.
The envy of every woman, the dream of every man.
If I were a star,
Would you look at me when we're lying there in the dark?
If I called on you from far away,
Would you say the things I want you to say?
In the Blake Babies song "Star", the singer questions the reliability of her lover. She struggles to determine whether he will come around or bring her down. She finds pleasure in the temporary happiness that he brings, represented by the "salty taste" in her mouth. However, she recognizes that the happiness is fleeting, as it will only last for "ten minutes" but leave her wanting for "ten days".
The singer then imagines herself as a star, pondering if her lover would appreciate her if she were in the sky. She wonders if he would look up and think of her when he is lying in the dark. She yearns for him to say the things she wants him to say and to be the one who can't get enough of her. The song ends with the singer musing on the possibility of being a desirable and enviable figure, expressing a desire to be more than what she currently is.
Overall, the song is about longing for love and acceptance, and questioning the depth of a relationship. The star imagery represents the desire for admiration and fame, as a way to feel more valued in a relationship or in life in general.
Line by Line Meaning
You ring me up and you bring me down.
Your actions towards me are unpredictable, one moment you make me happy and the next you bring me down.
I never know if you'll come around.
It's difficult for me to predict your arrival or your behavior when you're around.
I like the salty taste in my mouth.
I enjoy a little bit of pain and challenge in my life, which makes it more interesting.
Ten minutes on the lips, ten days without.
The temporary pleasure you provide for me has the potential to cause long-lasting pain and regret.
If I were a star, Would you look at me when you're lying there in the dark?
If I were someone famous or important, would you still pay attention to me and give me love and support in my times of need?
If I called on you from far away, Would you say the things I want you to say?
If I needed your emotional support or validation from far away, would you give me the comfort and affirmation I desire?
What would you say if I shined at night?
If I became successful and well-known, how would you react to my newfound fame?
If everyone wanted a piece of my light?
If people were drawn to me and sought to be a part of my success, how would you feel about sharing me with others?
Would you say the name?
Would you publicly acknowledge me as someone significant to you?
Would you finally be the guy who can't get enough of me?
Would you finally become the person who is deeply and endlessly devoted to me?
Just think of what I could be and not what I am.
Focus on my potential and what I could become rather than on my current limitations and flaws.
The envy of every woman, the dream of every man.
If I achieved success and fame, I would become the object of both admiration and envy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STROHM HATFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind