He was born to George and Maureen Rice and raised in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. Rice was a member of the rock band Juniper. Having released the singles "The World Is Dead" and "Weatherman" in Ireland during 1998, the band was due to record their first full album for Polygram in 1999. However, Rice became disenchanted with the label and left the band to pursue a solo career. His Juniper band mates later became Bell X1. Following the split, Rice moved to rural Italy and busked around Europe until he was able to form a band and resume gigging in Ireland. Regular members of this band were cellist Vyvienne Long; percussionist Tom Osander (aka Tomo), a member of the 1990s jam band God Street Wine; and bassist Shane Fitzsimons. Female vocals were provided by Lisa Hannigan. The lineup of Rice's band has remained the same with the exception of the departure of Hannigan and Osander in 2007.
Partly due to David Arnold, his second cousin, Rice was able to record O[citation needed], which was released in 2002. O was dedicated to fellow Irish musician Mic Christopher. The album was a strong commercial success and won the Shortlist Music Prize.
Three years later, following extensive promotion of O in Ireland and further commercial success worldwide, Rice released his second studio album 9 in 2006. The album was recorded in 2004 and 2005, and released on November 3 in Ireland, on November 6 in Europe and the rest of the world and lastly on November 14 in North America.
Rice has also recorded an old Juniper track, "Crosseyed Bear" (originally titled "Jewellery Box"), for the new War Child album.
2007 concert appearances
Rice played on the Friday night at the Glastonbury Festival 2007, in the Acoustic Tent. On 1 July 2007, Rice played at the Rock Werchter festival in Belgium. On 7 July 2007 Rice performed with David Gray at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London. Rice played the backing rhythm to Gray's "Babylon" before Rice played "Blower's Daughter" (Gray now doing the rhythm). The pair then finished with a cover of "Que Sera Sera". On 8 July Rice played at the T in the Park music event in Scotland. He also headlined the Latitude Festival in Suffolk on 12 July and the V Festival at Weston Park in Stafford, Staffordshire on 18 August and at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex on 19 August. Another performance was at Osheaga Festival in Montreal on 8 September.
Rice also headlined his first outdoor show in Ireland] in Marlay Park on 25 August, backed by Fionn Regan, Willy Mason, Guillemots, and KT Tunstall.
He made a number of appearances in North America through autumn, called An Evening with Damien Rice. These shows included a second guitarist, bassist, cellist, and a drummer to support Damien. There were no supporting acts on this tour.
Rice's songs have appeared featured several times on popular films and television shows, adding to his mainstream success. "The Blower's Daughter" is a popular song for figure skating, in particular pair skating. Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have used it for two seasons and Jamie Sale and David Pelletier have used it in professional competitions. "The Blower's Daughter" and "Cold Water" featured prominently in the 2004 film Closer. "Cold Water" was also featured in the 2003 film I am David, the 2005 film Stay, the HBO film The Girl in the Café,[10] and on the NBC dramas ER and The Black Donnellys. "Cannonball" also featured in The Black Donnellys and the 2004 film In Good Company as well as in an episode of The OC, as well as in the international show, Spring Waltz. "Delicate" was featured on the ABC dramas Alias, Lost, the Showtime series Huff and "The L Word" Season 1, the Fox drama House,, and the 2004 British film Dear Frankie. "Older Chests" was featured on the NBC drama Crossing Jordan and in CBS science-fiction drama Jericho. His song "9 Crimes" appeared featured during the episode "From a Whisper to a Scream" on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy., on Spin 1038, Channel 6, and on CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and also at the end of episode 15 of Standoff. "Grey Room" appeared featured on One Tree Hill, in an episode of Criminal Minds, and on an episode of House. Selections from "Eskimo" appeared featured in the 2005 Warren Miller ski movie, Higher Ground. "The Blower's Daughter" could be heard in the Fox criminal drama Bones, and segments of the single "9 Crimes" appeared featured in an episode of the CBS post-apocalyptic drama Jericho and also in the computer-generated film Shrek the Third (it was not included in the accompanying soundtrack, however). Rice recorded a live session at Abbey Road Studios in October 2006 for Live from Abbey Road. His performance was screened in an episode alongside those of Jamiroquai and the Goo Goo Dolls. "Grey Room" featured in the film trailer for 2007's Reservation Road but was not featured in the movie. The song "Blower's Daughter" also appeared in an episode of the short-lived series Hidden Palms.
In addition to his music featured in films and TV shows, Rice has been a guest performer on such shows as The Ellen DeGeneres Show (December 6, 2006), Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2006), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (multiple appearances) and the Late Show with David Letterman (2004).
Cold Water
Damien Rice feat. Lisa Hannigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold water
Surrounds me now
And all
I've got
Is your hand
Lord, can you hear me now?
Lord, can you hear me now?
Or am I lost?
Loved
One's daughter
Allow me that
And I can't
Let go
Of your hand
Lord, can you hear me now?
Lord, can you hear me now?
Lord, can you hear me now?
Or am I lost?
(Uh, I love you
Don't you know I love you?
And I always have
Hallelujah
Will you come with me?)
Cold
Cold water
Surrounds me now
And all (cold)
I've got (cold water)
Is your hand (surrounds me now)
Lord
(Can you hear me?)
Lord
(Can you hear me now?)
Lord
(Can you hear me?)
Lord
(can you hear me now?)
Lost
Am I lost with you?
Lost
Am I lost without you? (am I lost?)
Lost
Am I lost without you? (am I lost?)
Lost
Am I lost with you?
The lyrics to Damien Rice's "Cold Water" describe a feeling of being lost and in need of guidance. The cold water that surrounds the singer represents the confusion and uncertainty they feel in their life. The repetition of "Lord, can you hear me now?" reinforces the idea that the singer is searching for something greater than themselves to provide answers and comfort. The mention of a loved one's daughter indicates that the singer has lost someone close to them, making their feeling of disconnection even more profound. Despite this loss, the singer holds onto the hope that they can stay connected to the person they have lost through their hand, which is a symbol of support and reassurance.
There is a certain vulnerability and honesty in Rice's lyrics that allow the listeners to empathize with the singer's situation, reminding them of the importance of community and support when facing difficult times. The final lines of the song express the singer's desperation and fear, questioning whether they are lost with or without their loved one. The use of repetition in the chorus and the bridge reinforces the singer's emotional state, making it clear that they feel alone and adrift.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold
The author feels the intense coldness of the water that is surrounding them.
Cold water
The author specifically notes that the water around them is cold.
Surrounds me now
The author is currently in the cold water that is around them.
And all
Despite being in the cold water, there is nothing else around the author to rely on.
I've got
The only thing the author has to rely on is another person's hand.
Is your hand
The person the author is relying on is holding the author's hand.
Lord, can you hear me now?
The author is talking to God, asking if they are listening and can hear the author's plea for help.
Or am I lost?
The author questions whether they are lost and unable to find their way out of the current situation.
Loved
The person the author is referring to is someone they love.
One's daughter
The person the author loves is someone's daughter.
Allow me that
The author is asking for permission to love the person they care about.
And I can't
The author is unable to let go of the hand of the person they love.
Uh, I love you
The author expresses their love for the person they care about.
Don't you know I love you?
The author asks if the person they love is aware of their feelings.
And I always have
The author has held onto their feelings for the person they love for a long time.
Hallelujah
The author exclaims in joy, possibly because of their love for the other person.
Will you come with me?
The author invites the person they love to join them on their journey.
Lost
The author is questioning their current state of being.
Am I lost with you?
The author wonders if they are lost because they are with the person they love.
Lost
The author is still questioning their current state of being.
Am I lost without you? (am I lost?)
The author is questioning if they are only lost when they are without the person they love.
Lost
The author is still questioning their current state of being.
Am I lost without you? (am I lost?)
The author is still questioning if they are only lost when they are without the person they love.
Lost
The author is still questioning their current state of being.
Am I lost with you?
The author wonders if the person they love is contributing to their feeling of being lost.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMIEN GEORGE RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Shepherd
In my covid lockdown there is nothing quite as beautiful as these two duetting
JP Brind'Amour
Are you out yet?
Virginia knighten
@JP Brind'Amour will we ever be completely out?
SMASH TRAINS
aye
Mark Thompson
I lost my dad back in 2006. I remember getting the news at the McDonald's on the skyway overlooking Chicago. It was a warm september afternoon on the way to a Matt Nathanson concert. We turned around and headed back to michigan and I remember listening to this song on the way back. It wasn't the only song in the rotation... but it is the only one of that group of songs that will transport me instantly to the overlook at that very moment. Now when I want to have a moment where I remember my dad, it's the song I go to. It's weird how music can just instantly teleport you back to moments in time or connect you. Thank you for sharing this version. It was beautiful.
ramstacp
Beautifully said, and so accurate about the power of music
Cheryl Ann
My fathers memory is connected to this song also. It brings me to this deep place of connection and grief✨
Aidan Griffin
This is amazing.
I didn’t realize how good a musician Damien was until I saw him live in 2014 - it was amazing! And a fellow Kildare man.
Lisa is missed from his music. But she is so talented herself.
O is definitely one of the great Irish records.
didoma73
i just love the intimacy of this session..the excellent camera angles and everything...the harmony between damien and lisa really can't get any better
Lily Galloway
Simply beautiful. One of the most perfect duets ever.