In January 2007, after a stint in the Peace Corps, Moore decided to make a bold move in his music career by sending his unsolicited demo to Sub Pop Records. Moore's pensive yet optimistic songs caught Sub Pop's attention, and he soon had a record deal.
Moore's 2008 debut album, Stray Age, was recorded with the help of several highly regarded artists in Los Angeles, including Petra Haden, Jesca Hoop and producer Joe Chiccarelli. The album's gentle folk style and understated complexity help distinguish Moore as an artist to watch.
In 2010, Moore joined with fellow Kentucky musician Ben Sollee to record an album entitled Dear Companion, which was produced by and also features Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk.
In 2011, Moore released a gospel album, In the Cool of the Day, which was inspired by an old in-house Steinway piano he played during a studio session at WXVU Radio in Cincinnati.
Where We Belong
Daniel Martin Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You walked up those steps and through the door
And it's a hell of a thing
To be considering
If I had my bendin' bow
My string and my arrow
There wouldn't be a thing
I'll remember your quiet way
Revisit it one quiet day
The tug and pull of you
Just might see me through
Lay your hand in mine
Remember what you promised we would find
I'll take you to where the green grasses grow
To a place where that we could go
That's where we belong
Where the trails meet the lines
Out among the gusty winds
And the Ponderosa pines
In the hallowed halls and circling hills
A man will do what he wills
Scratch those words right off your slate
You've had the time to recuperate
The song "Where We Belong" by Daniel Martin Moore is a poignant reflection on contemplation and eventual acceptance of letting go. The first verse sees the singer sitting for several weeks before a lover arrives, pondering the complicated situation. The lyric "it's a hell of a thing to be considering" conveys the weight of the decision at hand. The second verse presents an imagined solution to the dilemma. The singer wishes for his bow and arrow to eliminate any obstacles between the two, which would perhaps provide clarity to the situation. However, this is immediately followed by a realization that this is not feasible, such as "there wouldn't be a thing between you and my meaning."
In the chorus, the singer reminisces fondly about their journey and fantasizes about taking the lover to "where the green grasses grow." This setting represents a place of comfort and familiarity, where the obstacles and doubts of the world can be left behind. In the final verse, the singer reflects on their time together, reconciling that it is time to move on. The lyric "A man will do what he wills, scratch those words right off your slate" conveys a sense of determination and agency. The song presents a theme of acceptance and recognition of the inevitable need to move on with grace and dignity.
Line by Line Meaning
I sat there some weeks before
Some time before you walked into my life, I had been sitting in the same place.
You walked up those steps and through the door
When you entered my life, you walked up some steps and passed through a door.
And it's a hell of a thing
To be considering
It's a difficult situation to think about.
If I had my bendin' bow
My string and my arrow
There wouldn't be a thing
Between you and my meaning
If I had my tools, I could express my intentions clearly and without obstacles.
I'll remember your quiet way
Revisit it one quiet day
The tug and pull of you
Just might see me through
I will recall the way you were, and it may help me get through a difficult time.
Lay your hand in mine
Remember what you promised we would find
I'll take you to where the green grasses grow
To a place where that we could go
Let's hold hands and remember what we planned to achieve together. I will take you to a place where we can be happy.
That's where we belong
Where the trails meet the lines
Out among the gusty winds
And the Ponderosa pines
That happy place is where we belong. It's where pathways intersect and where we can feel free among the windy forests.
In the hallowed halls and circling hills
A man will do what he wills
Scratch those words right off your slate
You've had the time to recuperate
In the sacred places and around the hills, one can do as one pleases. If you've had enough time to recover, let's forget about past difficulties and move on.
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.