Mat Brooke and Jenn Champion formed Carissa's Wierd out of Seattle in 1995, and released three albums before their 2003 breakup. Their plaintive, melancholy, beautiful music won over many who were exposed to it. The band's lineup changed throughout the band's existence. Mainstays in the band included violinist Sarah Standard, drummer (and later bassist) Ben Bridwell, drummer Sera Cahoone, drummer Creighton Barrett, and keyboard/accordian player Jeff Hellis. Their final album, Songs About Leaving, was a modest success in the Northwest, topping many critics charts and leaving fans hungry for more. Sadly, the band decided to go their separate ways in September of 2003. Jenn is now performing under the name S and Brooke and Bridwell went on to create Band of Horses. Brooke has since moved on to become part of Grand Archives and Sera Cahoone has launched her solo career. As of April 2007, both Grand Archives and Sera Cahoone have been signed to Sub Pop Records. In March 2010, Hardly Art announced that it would release a compilation of Carissa's Wierd material, with songs picked by Brooke and Champion, followed by reissues of the group's first three full-length records. The band played a reunion show on July 9, 2010 to support the compilation.
On August 2, 2011, Hardly Art announced pre-orders for a new 7", called 'Tucson,' and would include two new songs, the band's first recordings in over seven years featuring the original lineup. The 7" would include the songs 'Tucson' and 'Meredith & Iris,' and on August 4, 2011, Meredith & Iris was put up for stream on soundcloud. It was also announced that the band would be playing another reunion show in Seattle on September 24, 2011.
Die
Carissa's Wierd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(your characteristic seemed alright)
I wish I had stayed at home.
At home here, I need you to tell me all the wrong I’ve done.
(you’re so disappointed every time)
I wish you’d believe me, I’m alright in my life.
(the backyard is empty when you’re gone)
I see you way out there
You’re standing on a lonely road.
You’re standing on a lonely road.
Die, Die (right now)
I want to die, die (right now)
I wish you'd die, die (right now)
I want to die, die (right now)
She wakes up and then leaves,
(Your characteristic staircase smile)
He’s coming; and not naive.
Remember who your friends are,
(You’re so disappointed when you try)
But don’t forget the one you love.
Promise I’ll make it in that hip-hop video.
(the bad words are endless when you call)
I see you way out there,
(suppose I had said that I had lied, just when you said that you were)
You’re standing on a lonely road.
You’re standing on a lonely road.
Die, Die (right now)
I want to die, die (right now)
I wish you'd die, die (right now)
I want to die, die (right now)
I never asked to be here.(die)
I never asked to be here.(die)
I never asked to be here.(die)
I never asked to be here.(die)
The song "Die" by Carissa's Wierd is a tragic and emotional ballad that delves into themes of isolation, disappointment, and the desire for escape. The first verse opens with the singer waking up to find that everything she once had is gone. She wishes that she had stayed home, but instead finds herself longing for someone to tell her all the wrong she's done. The second verse introduces a male figure who is coming to join her, but she feels that he is not naive, and warns herself not to forget the one she loves. She promises to make it in a hip-hop video, but her only encounter with her partner leads to an argument that ends with the partner standing on a lonely road while the singer wishes to die.
The chorus repeats the refrain "Die, Die (right now), I want to die, die (right now), I wish you'd die, die (right now), I want to die, die (right now)" which can be interpreted as a desire to escape the situation and find some form of release from the pain of the situation. The bridge then repeats the phrase "I never asked to be here" as though the singer is lamenting the fact that her circumstances have forced her into a position where she feels trapped and overwhelmed.
Overall, "Die" is a deeply emotional song that speaks to the pain of feeling trapped and isolated in a situation where nothing seems to be going right. The singer longs for escape, but ultimately finds herself caught in a cycle of disappointment and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up, it’s all gone.
The singer wakes up to find her situation has changed for the worse.
I wish I had stayed at home.
The singer regrets having left home.
At home here, I need you to tell me all the wrong I’ve done.
The singer needs someone to hold her accountable.
I wish you’d believe me, I’m alright in my life.
The singer wishes others could see that she's okay.
I see you way out there
The singer sees someone in the distance.
You’re standing on a lonely road.
The person being addressed is isolated.
Die, Die (right now) I want to die, die (right now) I wish you'd die, die (right now) I want to die, die (right now)
The singer expresses her desire to escape her situation.
She wakes up and then leaves
Someone else is leaving the situation as well.
He’s coming; and not naive.
The person coming is not unaware of what's happening.
Remember who your friends are, But don’t forget the one you love.
The singer encourages the addressee to value both friends and loved ones.
Promise I’ll make it in that hip-hop video.
The singer makes an empty promise.
The bad words are endless when you call
Talking with someone leads to arguments.
I never asked to be here.
The singer did not choose to be in this situation.
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mcxcrun
this song is pure evidence that CW was on the verge of making it big. i love every song and album CW has produced, but this is truly a blessed song -- full of development and life for the band, despite the title of the song.
Erik Kristensen
What I would give to have a chance to listen to them live.
Mind Fortress
she has a great voice
Dylan Roemmele
The quintessential theme for the early 2000s
Aposematic Ayu
...why does it even matter if your name is carissa or not? this band is amazing no matter what your name happens to be.
pocolocco*-*
I'm not a miner, but I claim to have discovered a jewel :)
the_Sean712
best video for the song I've seen so far! Great job!...and such an amazing band...I wish they were still together :(
Josefa Flores
Was a miracle to find Carissa's Wierd's video with lyrics
alexisfannitutti777
Gold
hunter
absolutely beautiful