He approached his music with a new found freshness and decided to put some songs down on record. His grandmother told him he had a distant cousin in London in the music business. Borrowing money from those that would lend it, he recorded his demo and sent it off to his cousin, renowned producer and film composer, David Arnold (Bjork, James Bond). Arnold liked what he heard and provided enough money for Damien to buy his own mobile studio.
Damien Rice formerly sang with Lisa Hannigan and released his debut solo album, O, in Ireland in early 2002. In July 2002 O was released in the UK and it received widespread critical acclaim. In June 2003 O was released in the USA and Europe, with Rice appearing on The Letterman Show and receiving more acclaim from publications such as Rolling Stone, Newsweek and The Boston Globe. Arnold joined him on stage in New York to perform a version of the BjΓΆrk/Arnold track Play Dead.
He gained further popularity after some of his most famous songs were included in the media. An example of this is 9 Crimes used in the soundtrack of the summer blockbuster Shrek Three and The Blower's Daughter was featured in the movie Closer. Delicate was also featured in the hit T.V. show Lost.
Damien Rice is an intense live act - with emphasis laid on emotional intensity and experiments, rather than technical perfection. At a 2005 concert, for instance, he threw out big cheeses to the audience. This can sometimes be more demanding for the listener than the radio hit edit of the song Cannonball suggests. 'Cannonball' was re-mixed in 2004, for UK radio, to make it more radio-friendly. Rice later was reported to be very unhappy with it, saying to Tom Dunne on PetSounds (Today FM) that he did not "...really like it". He stated that he had allowed the remix to go through only if he signed a contract that would forbid anyone from ever remixing one of his songs ever again.
Damien spent 2004 and 2005 recording the follow-up to O. The album, 9, was released in Ireland on November 3, 2006, on November 6 in the rest of Europe, and in North America on November 14, 2006. Even though the new album maintained Rice's sense of "emotionality," some argued that it did so through volume and intensity rather than with the reflection and lyrical commentary that characterized his first release, O.
Rice has also developed a reputation as a live performer, selling out at venues across Europe and the United States. He is a performer who gives a lot of himself to the audience.
As of March 25th, 2007, this was posted on the Damien Rice official website: After much thought and discussion Damien has decided that his professional relationship with Lisa Hannigan has run its creative course. As a result Lisa will not be appearing at any of the upcoming live shows. Lisa is embarking on her own artistic endeavours and there are no plans for them to work together in the foreseeable future. The current band on tour at the moment are - Damien Rice, Joel Shearer, Shane Fitzsimons, Tom Osander, and Vyvienne Long.
Rumors that Damien Rice is currently dating MΓ©lanie Laurent, a French actress, has not been verified. However, there have been reports that he is working with the actress to record her debut album.
Me My Yoke and I
Damien Rice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My drum gonna make ya
My drum, my drum
My drum gonna make ya come
My book, my book
My book gonna make ya
My book, my book
My hand, my hand
My hand going under
My hand, my hand
My hand going under stand
My fall, my fall
My fall gonna break ya
My fall, my fall
My fall gonna break your wall
And I'm mad, I'm mad
I'm mad like a big dog
And I'm mad, I'm mad
I'm mad like a big dog, yeah
'Cause my God, my God
My God gave me a rod
My God, my God
My God gave me a rod
For fishing, fishing, fishing
Fishing, fishing, fishing, yeah
My drum, my drum
My drum gonna make ya
My drum, my drum
My drum gonna make ya come
My book, my book
My book gonna make ya
My book, my book
My book gonna make ya look
My hand, my hand
My hand going under
My hand, my hand
My hand going under stand
My fall, my fall
My fall gonna break ya
My fall, my fall
My fall gonna break your wall
And I'm mad, I'm mad
I'm mad like a big dog
And I'm mad, I'm mad
I'm mad like a big dog, yeah
'Cause my God, my God
My God gave me a rod
'Cause my God, my God
My God gave me a rod
For fishing, fishing, fishing
Fishing, fishing, fishing, yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Won't you beat my
Fishing, fishing, fishing
Fishing, fishing, fishing, yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
The lyrics of Damien Rice's "Me My Yoke And I" depict a man who seems to be struggling with his own experiences and emotions. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of his drum, book, hand, and fall - each of which is going to provoke a strong reaction in the listener. Each of these symbols appears to represent different aspects of his life and personality.
The drum, for instance, could represent his heart or a powerful impulse that he possesses. The book, on the other hand, could be a metaphor for the knowledge and wisdom that he has accumulated. The line "my hand going under" could symbolize his vulnerability, whereas "my fall gonna break your wall" suggests that he is breaking down the barriers around him. Meanwhile, his madness and the rod that his God gave him both reinforce his sense of passion and determination.
The phrase "fishing, fishing, fishing" that dominates the end of the song perhaps evokes a sense of searching or striving for something meaningful. It echoes the singer's desire to provoke a strong reaction in others with his drumming or writing. Overall, "Me My Yoke And I" seems to be a complex meditation on the nature of identity, creativity, and spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
My drum, my drum
I have a passion for music and the sound of my drum.
My drum gonna make ya
My music will move you and create an emotional response.
My book, my book
I am a writer and have created something valuable.
My book gonna make ya
My writing will inspire you and cause you to think or learn something new.
My hand, my hand
I am reaching out to you in some way.
My hand going under
I'm taking a risk to help you or to express myself.
My hand going under stand
I hope you can see and understand the sacrifice I'm making to help you.
My fall, my fall
I'm struggling or feeling pain.
My fall gonna break ya
My struggles could also bring you down if you're not careful.
My fall gonna break your wall
My struggles could help you break down your own emotional barriers and become vulnerable.
And I'm mad, I'm mad
I'm passionate and maybe a little bit angry.
I'm mad like a big dog
I'm fiercely protective of those I care about.
My God, my God
I am a spiritual person and feel a deep connection to a higher power.
My God gave me a rod
My faith gives me strength and direction in life.
For fishing, fishing, fishing
I will use my faith to find purpose and meaning in my life.
Won't you beat my
I'm challenging you to this endeavor.
Fishing, fishing, fishing
Together we can discover and pursue our passions.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damien George Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinparker4759
1st time listening to Damien rice and what a truly amazing album
@jupiterr9892
im happy u finally found him βπ
@LoganAves
I had the pleasure of hearing this song live and like seriously one of the best songs ever
@caseyroberts2058
I'm crying and it feels good
@Sevntimes
calm yourself
@tdriskell2503
SO POWERFUL!...cry on. No calm.
@toddrichardson8595
The POWER of this Song is INCREDIBLE! The ending makes you want to smash somebody's face in!!!
@adamclaybourne
intense frustration and anger and sadness and insanity and loss and unknowing untamned madness
@caseyroberts2058
Claybourne Management . "Unknowing untamed madness" love it, agree. Everything is so exposed. This song captures a yell from a cavity of depravity. I can feel the angst bleeding through the simple yet amazing acoustic riff, and layered with the vocals this record is an emotional powder keg.
@taloon3222
It's about jacking it. But it sounds beautiful.