Carla began her singing career at age 11, and the continual pursuit of song… Read Full Bio ↴Carla began her singing career at age 11, and the continual pursuit of song writing led to signing her first record deal to Columbia Records, Sony Music (USA) in 2002 and releasing her debut album, 'Departure' in 2003 to critical acclaim, with the New York Times likening her most to a female Jeff Buckley, but with her own originality. To date, Carla has worked with many producers, writers, musicians and DJ's all over the world including Ken Nelson (Coldplay), Chris Townend (Silverchair, Massive Attack), Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson), John Holbrook (Natalie Merchant) and Paul Oakenfold to name a few. After reaching number one on the UK's dance charts with the collaboration 'Southern Sun', she was invited to sing on BBC's Top of the Pops (now debunked) with Robert Plant, Beyonce Knowles and Sophie Ellis Bexter. With compositions appearing in film and television (Michael Stipe's (REM) 'Saved') along with an extensive touring backlog with artists such as the Pretenders, Damien Rice, The Jayhawks, Howie Day & The Thorns, and special guest appearances at the Jeff Buckley tributes held by Mary Guibert in London & Ireland, Carla has become an internationally acclaimed vocalist, writer and performer. She developed her own label 'OfOne Music' in 2005, and has been releasing her work independently since then with the album 'Pure Things in Wild Places' (2007) and more recently, 'My Lover's Ghost' (2010) - a six-song ep released Jan 11. Carla is based in Los Angeles and is set to spend 2010 touring parts of the U.S. and regions of Europe along with Australia & NZ in support of the latest release, and road-testing new material from a forthcoming full-length album due out later in the year. Carla Werner music is available online everywhere and in select stores in Australia through MGM Distribution, and the US through Spectacle Entertainment.

Departure
Carla Werner Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sit and talk to strangers
As though they're friends
Waiting on company
As though your life depends
I'm afraid this madness
May be getting black
Engulfing you
And all you are in that

Hands to hold it
Hands to break
Don't waste
Don't waste
I know pride and little lies
Breed pseudo-nymphs, and suicides
Relieves the brightest star from bright
To fall to its end
I struggle to maintain the light
It helps me to remain
I pulled myself together
Now all you circus clowns!
Hands to hold it
Hands to break
Don't waste
Don't waste
Hands to hold it
Hands to break

Don't waste
Don't waste

Overall Meaning

The song "Departure" by Carla Werner is a ballad that speaks about the fear of losing oneself in madness and how people sometimes seek company, even strangers, to avoid that possibility. The opening lines invite listeners to look at the world with different eyes and suggest an openness for new connections, even with strangers. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics become more personal and introspective, revealing the singer's own fears and doubts about their mental state.

The lines "I'm afraid this madness, may be getting black, engulfing you, and all you are in that" convey a sense of despair and a fear of being swallowed by the darkness of mental anguish. The use of the word "engulfing" creates an image of overwhelming forces that threaten to take over the singer's sense of self. The lines "Hands to hold it, hands to break, don't waste, don't waste" reveal the singer's struggle to find support and to make sure they are not alone in their fear, while the following lines "I know pride and little lies breed pseudo-nymphs, and suicides, relieves the brightest star from bright, to fall to its end" suggest that the desperation and despair can lead to negative consequences, both mentally and physically.

Overall, "Departure" is a hauntingly beautiful song that speaks to the fragility of the human psyche and the need for understanding and connection. The lyrics are poetic and contemplative, and the melody is somber and reflective. It is a song that invites the listener to reflect on their own mental state and to reach out for help when needed.

Line by Line Meaning

Sit and talk to strangers
Engage in conversations with unknown individuals

As though they're friends
Speak to them in a friendly manner

Waiting on company
Anticipating the arrival of someone to keep you company

As though your life depends
Feeling as though your life is incomplete without companionship

I'm afraid this madness
Expressing worry over a sense of insanity

May be getting black
Becoming increasingly dark or negative

Engulfing you
Overcoming and consuming you

And all you are in that
Taking over your entire being

Hands to hold it
A need for assistance and support

Hands to break
A need for someone to destroy or disengage from something harmful

Don't waste
A plea to use resources wisely