Comprising Philip Moore (vocals, guitar), Beth Tacular (accordion, vocals) and Mark Paulson (violin, vocals), their début album, Hymns for a Dark Horse (2007), was released on Burly Time Records, followed by their second album, Upper Air in July 2009 and album number three, The Clearing in March 2012.
Whereas the first two albums were recorded on the quick and the cheap, the songs sounding like "old, familiar campfire anthems sung by a couple clinging to very deep love". For the recording of The Clearing they had more time and better resources, making it a bigger sounding record, with bolder sounds, a broader scope, and more complicated songs. It was more than a third record for Bowerbirds. Between 2009 and 2012, Beth Tacular nearly died after a mysterious illness that put her in the hospital.
Beth and Phil even ended their long relationship but began it again after realizing that, despite their own shortcomings, they didn’t want to be with anyone else. Mostly, though, they returned to their cabin in the woods of North Carolina to nest—to make soup and walk dogs, to make art and write songs, to realize that this was their life and find contentment in it.
From 2012 to 2020, they did not release anything until the release of a string of digital singles in 2020 (they were compiled on Endless Chase: 20 Singles) and a long overdue new studio album, becalmyounglovers, in 2021.
Bright Future
Bowerbirds Lyrics
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Bright light in my eyes, oh, this desert's a tease
Giant heart, down in this dust
Fell to the earth at a fascinating speed
Well, further up in the ponderosa
The nervous coyotes caterwauling, their choruses foreboding
And couldn't you've stayed on the ground?
But your mind was wound so tightly
Always bold and wise and unsettling
I live in your tall trees, amongst your fearless leaves
Saw the bright colors, bright future
The night is patient, the night's a glass dome
The night is still and cold but this desert can turn
Your restless mind was born in a flash
And you lived in these clouds with lightning in your feet
And yes, your mind was wound so tightly
Always bold and wise and unsettling
I live in your tall trees, amongst your fearless leaves
Saw the bright colors, bright future
The song "Bright Future" by Bowerbirds seems to be about the power of the mind to shape our perception of reality. The first verse speaks of a bright future and a bright pink color, but also mentions a desert that is a tease and a giant heart that has fallen into the dust. This could represent the struggle between hope and disappointment in life, and the challenge of staying grounded in the midst of it. The second verse continues with a description of the desert as a place of foreboding, and raises the question of whether staying on the ground and staying on one's feet might be a better approach.
The chorus emphasizes the tight winding of the mind, and describes the singer living in tall trees amongst the fearless leaves, seeing the bright colors and bright future. This can be taken as a metaphor for the power of imagination and creativity to overcome the challenges of life. The final verse refers to the night as patient and a glass dome, with the desert holding the potential to turn at any moment. The restless mind of the singer is described as being born in a flash, and living in the clouds with lightning in their feet.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that while life can be difficult and disappointing, the power of the mind to imagine a brighter future and to stay grounded in the present moment can be a source of strength and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Bright future, bright pink
The future is full of promise and excitement, just like the bright pink color symbolizes.
Bright light in my eyes, oh, this desert's a tease
The desert may seem promising with its bright light, but it's ultimately a tease and can be deceiving.
Giant heart, down in this dust
Despite the challenging environment, there is a strong and resilient heart within the dust.
Fell to the earth at a fascinating speed
There was a dramatic and captivating fall to the earth.
Well, further up in the ponderosa
Moving on to a different location, the ponderosa holds further intrigue and wonder.
The nervous coyotes caterwauling, their choruses foreboding
The coyotes' unsettling cries suggest a sense of foreboding and danger.
And couldn't you've stayed on the ground?
It may have been safer to stay grounded instead of risking the potential danger of flying.
Couldn't you have stayed on your feet?
Perhaps it would have been better to avoid any risks and just stay on solid ground.
But your mind was wound so tightly
Despite any potential danger, there was a tight focus and determination in the mind.
Always bold and wise and unsettling
A sense of boldness and wisdom was always present, even though it may have been unsettling at times.
I live in your tall trees, amongst your fearless leaves
The singer is surrounded by the tall and fearless trees that the person they're addressing has created.
Saw the bright colors, bright future
Looking towards the future with optimism and hope, despite any challenges or risks.
The night is patient, the night's a glass dome
Despite the sometimes harsh reality, the night can also be calming and beautiful, like a glass dome surrounding everything.
The night is still and cold but this desert can turn
Even though the night may be peaceful, the desert environment can quickly become dangerous and harsh.
Your restless mind was born in a flash
The person they're addressing has always had a restless and dynamic mind from the very beginning.
And you lived in these clouds with lightning in your feet
Despite any challenges, the person they're addressing is accustomed to living in a dynamic and exciting environment.
Contributed by Asher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.