The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
If It Makes You
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These are the days, come rain or shine - you and me and I feel fine
Cuz I can breathe when I'm standing here next to you it's always clear
And I can breahte, and laugh, and sing if it makes you happy - then I'm happy too
If it makes you beautiful, then I'm beautiful too
These are the walls that we climb, breaking the falls to the end of time
Cuz I can breathe when I'm standing here next to you it's always clear
And I can breahte, and laugh, and sing if it makes you happy - then I'm happy too
If it makes you beautiful, then I'm beautiful too
This darkness of night can see there's a light
I can reach out my hand - touch a soul, I understand
If it makes you...I'm happy too. And if it makes you beautiful.
The BoDeans' song, "If It Makes You," is a love song that speaks to the power of a partner's influence on one's life. The song paints a picture of a relationship that inspires and emboldens its participants. The lyrics suggest that these shared experiences and support help the singer climb walls and face life's challenges. The track opens with lines that emphasize the importance of shared dreams and special moments. The lyrics are ambivalent on their specifics. Still, they emphasize that both people in the relationship share a vision of something meaningful but can also stay together through any weather, metaphorical or literal.
The song's chorus plays with the idea that happiness and beauty are connected and, more importantly, that one person can inspire another. The singer says that he breathes easier, laughs louder, and feels freer when he's with his love interest because seeing her happy brings him joy. He takes this to its logical conclusion with the lines, "If it makes you beautiful, then I'm beautiful too." Essentially, the singer is saying that his partner's joy makes him a better person. The bridge highlights the idea of reaching out and connecting with others, even in the darkest moments, reminding the listener that they too can feel inspired and cared for.
Overall, "If It Makes You" is an earnest, heartfelt love song that underscores the power of shared experiences and a supportive partner. It's an excellent reminder of how seeking the best for others can also lead to personal growth and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
These are the dreams that we dream, these are the big and special things
These are the aspirations and meaningful moments that we envision and desire.
These are the days, come rain or shine - you and me and I feel fine
These are the moments we share together, regardless of the circumstances, and I feel content.
Cuz I can breathe when I'm standing here next to you it's always clear
I feel at ease and have clarity of mind when I am with you.
And I can breathe, and laugh, and sing if it makes you happy - then I'm happy too
I derive happiness from making you happy, and I am willing to express it through laughter and singing as well.
If it makes you beautiful, then I'm beautiful too
I find beauty in you, and by extension, I feel beautiful as well.
These are the walls that we climb, breaking the falls to the end of time
These are the obstacles we overcome and difficulties we face, but we persevere and persist to the end.
These are the words the looks and touch and I never knew I could feel this much
These are the emotions and sensations that I never knew existed until I experienced them with you.
This darkness of night can see there's a light
Even in the darkness and hardest times, I can still see hope and positivity through you.
I can reach out my hand - touch a soul, I understand
I understand and empathize with you on a deeper level that goes beyond physical touch.
If it makes you...I'm happy too. And if it makes you beautiful.
My happiness and beauty are inextricably linked to yours, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy and beautiful.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.