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 Björk/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 Mélanie 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.
Volcano
Damien Rice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause You'll hurt your knees
Well I kissed your mouth, and back
But that's all I need
Don't build your world around
Volcanoes melt you down
And What I am to you is not real
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth, your back
Is that all you need?
Don't drag my love around
Volcanoes melt me down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask
What I give to you
Is just what I'm going through
This is nothing new
No, no just another phase of finding
What I really need is what makes me bleed
But like a new disease
Lord, she's still too young to treat
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(You do not need)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me
In "Volcano," Damien Rice warns an undefined "you" to take care and not put too much weight on their relationship since it's not what "you" actually need. The first verse serves as an invitation of sorts, with Rice kissing "your mouth and back," but cautioning "you" not to "hold yourself like that" since it will hurt "your knees." The second half of the verse is where the metaphor of the title comes in as Rice advises "you" not to "build your world around volcanoes" because they will "melt you down." This imagery is a metaphor for the potentially explosive and destructive nature of love and relationships.
The second verse repeats the same pattern as the first, with Rice telling "you" not to throw themselves in front of him and lamenting the fact that volcanoes "melt him down." The chorus then serves as Rice's declaration that what he is to "you" isn't real, and that he's not what "you" mean to him. He sings about how "you" give him "miles and miles of mountains" while he longs for the sea. In other words, while he appreciates what "you" offer, it's not what he actually wants or needs.
The third and final verse shifts perspective slightly, with Rice declaring that what he gives "you" is simply what he's going through and that it's "nothing new." He then sings that what he really needs is something that makes him bleed, something that's like "a new disease." Rice concludes the song by repeating the chorus, still asserting that "volcanoes melt you down" and that what "you" don't actually need him.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't hold yourself like that
Cause You'll hurt your knees
Don't stand rigidly like that, it's uncomfortable and could be painful
Well I kissed your mouth, and back
But that's all I need
We shared a moment, but I'm not looking for anything more
Don't build your world around
Volcanoes melt you down
Don't rely on unstable things that could destroy you
And What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
I feel insignificant to you, and I know I'm not essential in your life. What I get from you is great, but it's not the most important thing to me. I might even ask for something else later.
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
Don't be so reckless and careless around me
I kissed your mouth, your back
Is that all you need?
We made physical contact, but is that enough for you?
Don't drag my love around
Volcanoes melt me down
Don't play with my heart and emotions, I'm vulnerable enough
What I give to you
Is just what I'm going through
This is nothing new
No, no just another phase of finding
What I really need is what makes me bleed
But like a new disease
Lord, she's still too young to treat
What I offer to you is just a temporary state I'm going through. I'm still looking for what I truly need, and it might be something that hurts me. But it's not fair to put that burden on someone so young and inexperienced.
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(You do not need)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volcanoes melt you down
(She's still too young)
(What I am to you)
Volatility and drama will destroy you, and it's not fair to put that on a young person. I cannot be something permanent and essential in your life.
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me
We had an encounter, but you don't need me beyond that.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damien George Rice, Brian Patrick Crosby, Dave Brian Geraghty, Paul Anthony Noonan, Dominic Michael Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IProvideLyrics1924
[Verse 1: Damien Rice]
Don't hold yourself like that
You'll hurt your knees
Well I kissed your mouth and back
But that's all I need
Don't build your world around
Volcanoes melt you down
[Chorus: Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan]
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
[Verse 2: Lisa Hannigan]
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth, your back
Is that all you need?
Don't drag my love around
Volcanoes melt me down
[Chorus: Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan]
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask . .
[Bridge: Damien Rice]
What I give to you
Is just what I'm going through
This is nothing new, no no
Just another phase of finding
What I really need
Is what makes me bleed
But like a new disease
Lord, she's still too young to treat
What I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
What I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
What I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
What I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
What I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(I kissed your mouth)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(I kissed your mouth)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
And what I am to you (oh she's still too young)
(I kissed your mouth)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
Is not real, (she's still too young)
What I am to you, (oh she's still too young)
(I kissed your mouth)
(Volcanoes melt you down)
You do not need (she's still too young)
You do not need me
@azy3929
LYRICS
Don't hold yourself like that
You'll hurt your knees
I kissed your mouth and back
But that's all I need
Don't build your world around volcanoes melt you down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth your back
Is that all you need?
Don't drag my love around volcanoes melt me down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for what I give to you
Is just what i'm going through
This is nothing new
No no just another phase of finding what I really need
Is what makes me bleed
And like a new disease she's still too young to treat
Volcanoes melt me down
She's still too young
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me
@Rol93
Don't hold yourself like that
You'll hurt your knees
I kissed your mouth and back
But that's all I need
Don't build your world around volcanoes melt you down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth your back
Is that all you need?
Don't drag my love around volcanoes melt me down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for what I give to you
Is just what i'm going through
This is nothing new
No no just another phase of finding what I really need
Is what makes me bleed
And like a new disease she's still too young to treat
Volcanoes melt me down
She's still too young
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me
@jenniferholub4044
10 years later, and this song still melts me down.
@nsa5678
@Metagnostic yes, 20 years later and it still does.
@tuanaalparslan9084
20 years
@user-qo2vf8cc1f
the best part of damien rice is that he doesn't write about love in the same fluffy way that most other singers do. he represents it in a really different light, which is something i really enjoy from him. when everyone else is singing about love more directly and really sexual, or just fluffed up... damien is singing about love when it's just raw and natural. there's no glam behind it and it's not done up. it's about the components of love and not just love itself, you know? he does it differently than everyone else. not just in the lyrical department, either. the strings and the piano are used a lot in his songs, and i admire it, because no matter what those two instruments will always be the most soothing for me instead of what i usually hear. i don't know i just really love damien rice thank you for reading this huge block of text
tldr damien sings about love 'raw' rather than 'glam' and his use of instruments is calming.
inb4 "pop is ok too sometimes" it sure is but i prefer this. have your own taste if you want
@VinylForest
He sings emotionally! I really feel it!
@1nfiniteSeek3r
it's almost like he sings about the failure to love, failing to live up to the ideal of love, his songs are honest.
@merlissamathurin309
Perfectly described why I love his music!!!
@dreamingofcottontails6601
I've been noticing lately that the majority of my favorite songs have that same essence to them. That rawness you can't quite put your finger on...that really hits the feels.
A lot of them also have cello & piano too, actually.
Re Damien...I feel like he kinda lost a lot when Lisa Flannigan stopped working with him. Such incredible harmonies. Her voice is something really special, feels
Ike it brought out the honesty & truth even more.
@vivekteega
I agree!! Even the lyrics of Blowers Daughter, the last line is so surprising(for a love song) and raw
"I can't take my mind
My mind my mind
'Til I find somebody new"
@Olafk93
Every once in a while I bump into this song by accident, and everytime I do I put it on replay for the rest of the day.