Blonde Redhead has gradually increased in popularity in the underground music scene. Their early music has been described as emulative of Sonic Youth, but their more recent releases have begun to stray from this generalization. Kazu Makino is noted for her high, eerie voice, which hovers over melodic guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats.
The large span of time between Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery is a Butterfly is attributed to Makino's recovery time after being trampled by a horse. Much of Misery Is A Butterfly's imagery and illustration is equestrian or reflective of the accident. In the liner notes, Makino thanks her doctors "and her friends who fed her and cheered her up when she couldn't do much on her own."
The band's 7th album is called "23" and was released in April 2007.
Their 8th album, "Penny Sparkle" was released in September 14, 2010.
Website links:
Band Website: http://blonde-redhead.com
Promotional site for the album '23': http://www.blonderedhead23.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blonderedhead
Misery
Blonde Redhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I couldn't say hello, I don't know why
But now I think, I think you were sad
Yes you were, you were, you were
What I say, I say only to you
'Cause I love and I love only you
Dearest Jane, I want to give you a dream
Remember when we found misery
We watched her, watched her spread her wings
And slowly, slowly fly around our room
And she asked for your gentle mind
Misery is a butterfly
Her heavy wings will warp your mind
With her small ugly face
And her long antenna
And her black and pink heavy wings
Remember when we found misery
We watched her, watched her spread her wings
And slowly, slowly fly around our room
And she asked for your gentle mind
Gentle mind, gentle mind
The lyrics of the song Misery Is a Butterfly by Blonde Redhead are about a person named Jane who the singer is in love with. The singer expresses regret for not approaching Jane earlier and feels that Jane was going through a sad phase at that time. The singer wants to give Jane a dream that she has never been given before. The word 'misery' in the song is used as a metaphor for a butterfly that has taken over their lives. The singer and Jane found the butterfly and watched it fly around their room. The butterfly is described as having heavy wings that can warp your mind, a small ugly face, long antennae, and black and pink heavy wings.
The song appears to be about the beauty and pain that coexists in life. The butterfly, with all its qualities, could represent the dual aspects of life. The butterfly's wings are heavy, which could indicate how the troubles and worries of life can weigh us down, while its beauty can still attract us towards it. The line "she asked for your gentle mind" could mean that we need to have a gentle and receptive mind to accept life's different aspects, even the painful ones. The song's lyrics emphasize the need to find beauty even in misfortune and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Dearest Jane I should've known better
I regret not recognizing your pain earlier, my beloved Jane.
But I couldn't say hello, I don't know why
I couldn't bring myself to reach out to you, and I don't understand why.
But now I think, I think you were sad
Looking back, I realize that you were struggling with sadness.
Yes you were, you were, you were
I acknowledge the depth of your emotional distress.
What I say, I say only to you
I trust you with my innermost thoughts and feelings.
'Cause I love and I love only you
My admiration and devotion belong solely to you, Jane.
Dearest Jane, I want to give you a dream
I aspire to offer you a vision of a better future.
That no one has given you
A novel aspiration to motivate you and provide you with hope and purpose.
Remember when we found misery
We have jointly witnessed pain and sadness before.
We watched her, watched her spread her wings
We've seen heartache grow and multiply.
And slowly, slowly fly around our room
The effects of sorrow have infiltrated every facet of our lives.
And she asked for your gentle mind
Pain invites itself into your thoughts.
Misery is a butterfly
Pain is a powerful and enduring force that relentlessly envelopes you.
Her heavy wings will warp your mind
Pain will confuse you and distort your perception.
With her small ugly face
Pain takes on a repulsive appearance.
And her long antenna
Pain extends its reach and hooks you in.
And her black and pink heavy wings
Pain is both suffocating and delicate in nature.
Gentle mind, gentle mind
Guard yourself and approach pain and sadness with tenderness and care.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Amedeo Maria Pace, Kazu Makino, Simone Pace
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crocuta Crocuta
Dearest Jane I should've known better
But I couldn't say hello, I don't know why
But now I think, I think you were sad
Yes you were, you were, you were
What I say, I say only to you
Cause I love and I love only you
Dearest Jane, I want to give you a dream
That no one has given you
Remember when we found misery
We watched her, watched her spread her wings
And slowly fly around our room
And she asked for your gentle mind
Misery is a butterfly
Her heavy wings will warp your mind
With her small ugly face
And her long antenna
And her black and pink heavy wings
Remember when we found misery
We watched her, watched her spread her wings
And slowly, slowly fly around our room
And she asked for your gentle mind
binky tube
It's almost 2023 and every single song on this album sounds fresh and current. Just an absolute masterpiece.
VI0LET
This is pure art, it's absolutely amazing. It helps me cope with extreme melancholy, and it calms me down. Blonde Redhead is simply a gem!
L
Best band ever
SaturnPhase
This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. It's the musical version of a rainy day and you're wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in bittersweet memories.
Hori Yosi
Still blowing my mind away after all these years
Lil Vampire
Is it just me or does anyone think this would be an amazing song for the credits of a good horror movie
spøøkybøi
It wøuld, just like høw Elephant Wøman fit perfectly with Hard Candy
Ricardo M.
It already happened... check the movie The Dark with a song by Blonde Redhead 😉
Saint
You should listen to "Come Undone" by Kazu (Trentemøller)
Her voice is great, the song sounds straight from a horror movie
beepst
The whole album would, with the exception of the last track.