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.
This Day
Bowerbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This day will see no placards given
This day will see no dismembered limbs
Yet there buzzes about a distant chainsaw
Whose sound comes in and out on the timid wind
This day is a slow gesture
It hopes for a year of vibrant clarity
But waits for the cues from the coming weeks
And fumbles and stares blankly
It's not clear how this day will end
But I have put my money down
On having a clear view from this house to the heavens and back again
It's not clear how this day will end
This day heaves like a cold engine
With a tank of old gasoline
Live your mornings on ether
And tremble with anticipation as the sun goes down
The song "This Day" by Bowerbirds speaks to the mundanity of everyday life and how even on a day that may seem ordinary, there can still be an underlying tension or unease. The opening lines state "This day is no special day, this day will see no placards given, this day will see no dismembered limbs, yet there buzzes about a distant chainsaw." The lyrics suggest that despite the lack of any overtly significant events happening, there is still something unsettling and ominous in the air. The chainsaw sounds in the distance, serving as a constant reminder of the possibility of danger or destruction.
The song goes on to describe the day as a "slow gesture" that is not yet prepared for the new year, waiting for cues from the weeks to come. The uncertainty of how the day will end is acknowledged but the singer puts their faith in the idea that they will have a clear view from their house to the heavens and back. The final lines of the song liken the day to a cold engine running on old gasoline, encouraging the listener to live each day fully and with a sense of anticipation for what is to come.
Overall, "This Day" by Bowerbirds is an introspective and thought-provoking song that reminds us to appreciate the beauty and tension that can exist even on a seemingly unremarkable day.
Line by Line Meaning
This day is no special day
Today is just an ordinary day, nothing remarkable about it.
This day will see no placards given
No celebrations or large events are planned for today.
This day will see no dismembered limbs
No violence or conflict will occur today.
Yet there buzzes about a distant chainsaw
However, the sound of a chainsaw can be heard in the background.
Whose sound comes in and out on the timid wind
The sound of the chainsaw is intermittent, carried on a gentle breeze.
This day is a slow gesture
Today is moving at a relaxed pace, not in a rush.
This day is just clearly not ready
Today doesn't feel prepared or organized for what may come.
It hopes for a year of vibrant clarity
Today is optimistic about the future, hoping for a clear and fulfilling year.
But waits for the cues from the coming weeks
Today is waiting for indications of what the near future may hold.
And fumbles and stares blankly
Today is uncertain and unsure, stumbling and confused.
It's not clear how this day will end
The outcome of today is uncertain.
But I have put my money down
Despite the uncertainty, I am confident and have faith.
On having a clear view from this house to the heavens and back again
I believe that I will have a clear and unobstructed vision of both the sky and the earth, a sense of groundedness.
This day heaves like a cold engine
Today feels like a slow and uncomfortable start, like an old car.
With a tank of old gasoline
Today's energy and motivation feels stale and unexciting.
Live your mornings on ether
Wake up feeling energized and motivated.
And tremble with anticipation as the sun goes down
As the day comes to an end, feel a sense of trepidation and anxiety about what the future may hold.
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
xxiluvmsixx
What an amazing song to listen to right before work :)