Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.
In 1993, she formed her first group, Helen, with Barry Mirochnick, Paul James, and Chang. Helen broke up in 1995, and in 1996 Fellows teamed up with singer-songwriter Keri McTighe, Barry Mirochnick, Keith McLeod and Peggy Messing, to form Special Fancy. The group released one album, King Me.
In 2000 Fellows released her debut solo album, 2 Little Birds. This was followed by The Last One Standing in 2002, Paper Anniversary in 2005, and Nevertheless in 2007. These albums feature Leanne Zacharias (cello), Jason Tait (drums, vibraphone), Barry Mirochnick (drums, vocals), John K. Samson (vocals, guitar), Keith McLeod (mandolin), Monica Guenter (viola), Greg Smith (bass), Ed Reifel (percussion), and Cristina Zacharias (violin).
Fellows has performed with the Rheostatics, Veda Hille, The Mountain Goats, Kim Barlow, Old Man Luedecke, and The Weakerthans. She is married to The Weakerthans' lead singer, John K. Samson.
In 2006, Fellows and Samson recorded The Old House, an album intended only as a Christmas gift for friends and family, although they released two songs, "Taps Reversed" and "Good Salvage", for airplay on CBC Radio 3 in early 2007. Fellows and Samson also performed live on the network on March 17, 2007, to mark the final night of the network's terrestrial simulcast on CBC Radio 2.
Fellows also composes music for dance, film and television. She scored part of Clive Holden's Trains of Winnipeg film series, as well as collaborating with Tait and Samson on the associated album. In 2007, she wrote several songs for a dance piece by choreographer Susie Burpee; they were later included on her fourth solo album, Nevertheless, which was released on November 6, 2007.
Fellows has also toured as a member of The Pan-Canadian New Folk Ensemble with Kim Barlow and Old Man Luedecke.
Recently, she was artist-in-residence at Le Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum in Winnipeg (2009), and she has been writing songs for a new solo album, scheduled for release on Six Shooter Records in fall of 2010.
Pop Bottle Chickadee
Christine Fellows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
teeth creak wider. Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee. Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee-dee-dee-
dee. On a quickening moon, a weather balloon, I was born too soon, born a fighter. In between the leafy green,
picking up steam beside her. Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee. Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee-
dee-dee-dee.
The lyrics in Christine Fellows's song "Pop Bottle Chickadee" portray a sense of resilience and determination despite the challenges faced. The opening line, "On a bright blue day I was born to stay, to sing in vain despite her," suggests that the singer was born with the purpose of enduring hardships, even in the face of opposition. The phrase "to sing in vain despite her" may symbolize the act of expressing oneself or pursuing one's dreams, even if it seems futile or goes unnoticed.
The imagery of a "thorny wreath" and "worn-out teeth creak wider" paints a picture of a worn-down and difficult existence. However, the repetition of the phrase "cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee" conveys a sense of resilience and resourcefulness. The chickadee, a small bird known for its ability to survive in harsh conditions, becomes a symbol of finding strength and sustenance in the midst of adversity.
The line "On a quickening moon, a weather balloon, I was born too soon, born a fighter" introduces a sense of anticipation and restlessness. The singer feels that they were born before their time, suggesting a desire for change and progress. The reference to a "weather balloon" implies a certain expansiveness and a readiness to explore new possibilities.
Overall, "Pop Bottle Chickadee" celebrates the indomitable spirit, the ability to thrive despite difficult circumstances, and the courage to pursue one's dreams even when they seem out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
On a bright blue day I was born to stay, to sing in vain despite her.
I was born into this world with the purpose of staying here, and despite the challenges I face, I sing my heart out even if it seems futile.
Underneath this thorny wreath, worn-out teeth creak wider.
Beneath the difficulties and hardships I endure, my tired smile widens and persists.
Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee.
I break down obstacles and gather nourishment like a determined bird pecking at seeds.
Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee-dee-dee-dee.
Continuing to break through barriers, I persistently pursue nourishment and growth like a spirited chickadee's call.
On a quickening moon, a weather balloon, I was born too soon, born a fighter.
In a world that is rapidly changing and evolving, I came into existence ahead of my time, but with a strong spirit of resilience and determination.
In between the leafy green, picking up steam beside her.
Amidst the abundance and growth of nature, I gather momentum and strength, always staying by someone's side.
Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee.
Once again, I persistently break down barriers and gather nourishment like an unwavering bird.
Cracking up seed, pop bottle chickadee-dee-dee-dee.
Continuing my relentless pursuit of nourishment and growth, I embody the persistent call and energy of a chickadee.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christine Fellows
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind