Howle has earned comparisons to Flannery O'Connor, Patsy Cline, and Nina Simone. She has earned praise from Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, who released four of her albums on her indie label Daemon Records, and tapped her for backup on 2 songs on her 2001 solo album "Stag." Ani DiFranco called Howle "a melodically nimble being." She has toured with DiFranco, the Indigo Girls, and Elliott Smith, and played some second-stage dates on Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair, as well as opening for Bob Dylan in Columbia. She has also released records on Simple Machines, Edisto Records, and Kill Rock Stars.
In 2001, she began doing educational shows and programming at high schools and universities around the country, including Penn State University and the College of Charleston. Her songs have also been included in documentaries and other films, including "Glissando," "The Station Agent," and "Intentions."
In 2010, Howle started producing records. She produced the album "Tripping Over Nothing" by NY band A Fragile Tomorrow, and is currently producing a record for Myrtle Beach band Ten Toes Up.
Lullabye
Danielle Howle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The children of the stars
In the Hollywood hills and the boulevard
Her parents threw big parties
Everyone was there
They hung out with folks like
Dennis hopper, Bob Seeger, sonny and Cher
In this bar on Fairfax
And from the stage I can tell that
She can't let go and she can't relax
And just before
She hangs her head to cry
I sing to her a lullaby, I sing
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Rockabye
She still lives with her mom
Outside the city
Down that street about a half a mile
And all her friends tell her
She's so pretty
But she'd be a whole lot prettier
If she smiled once in a while
`cause even her smile
Looks like a frown
She's seen her share of devils
In this angel town
But, everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Rockabye
I told her I ain't so sure
About this place
It's hard to play a gig in this town
And keep a straight face
Seems like everyone here's got a plan
It's kind of like Nashville with a tan, but,
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye,rockabye, bye, bye
Bye, bye
The song "Lullabye" by Danielle Howle is a poignant portrayal of a woman who once lived a glamorous life in the Hollywood hills with the children of stars and famous celebrities. She attended parties with the likes of Bob Seeger, Sonny and Cher, and Dennis Hopper. But now, she finds solace in a bar on Fairfax street, trying to run away from the demons that haunt her.
Despite being surrounded by friends who tell her she is pretty, she cannot seem to find joy in her life. Even her smile looks like a frown. She has seen many devils in what seems to be a paradise. However, the singer believes that she will be okay and tries to comfort her through her lullaby.
The central theme of the song is that everything will be alright, and the lullaby serves as a soothing message of hope to the woman. Although her life may not be ideal, the song aims to say that it will improve in the end, and everything will be alright.
Overall, the song is a powerful and moving message of hope, telling the listener that things will get better in the end, and everything will be alright.
Line by Line Meaning
She grew up with
She spent her childhood around the rich and famous in the Hollywood hills and on the boulevard, among the children of celebrities.
The children of the stars
She grew up around children of famous people.
Her parents threw big parties
Her parents hosted large gatherings attended by celebrities.
Everyone was there
The entire crowd of attendees were famous people.
They hung out with folks like
Her parents were friends with stars like Dennis Hopper, Bob Seger, Sonny and Cher.
Now, she feels safe
The girl at the bar feels comfortable and secure.
In this bar on Fairfax
Specifically, the girl is at a bar located on Fairfax street.
And from the stage I can tell that
The singer can see from her position on stage that the girl is struggling with her emotions.
She can't let go and she can't relax
The girl is having difficulty letting go and relaxing.
And just before
As she is on the brink of breaking down emotionally.
She hangs her head to cry
She drops her head in sadness and starts to cry.
I sing to her a lullaby, I sing
The singer starts to sing a calming song to the girl to help her find comfort in the moment.
Everything's gonna be all right
The singer assures the girl that everything will work out in the end.
Rockabye, rockabye
The repeated phrase emphasizes the soothing and calming nature of the singer's words.
She still lives with her mom
The girl still lives at home with her mother.
Outside the city
Their home is located outside of the busy city areas.
Down that street about a half a mile
Their house is located a short distance down a particular street.
And all her friends tell her
The girl's friends often compliment her on her beauty.
She's so pretty
Her friends think she is very attractive.
But she'd be a whole lot prettier
The singer suggests that the girl would appear even more beautiful if she smiled more often.
`cause even her smile
Even when she smiles, her face doesn't show happiness.
Looks like a frown
Her smile is not full and joyful and can appear as a frown on her face.
She's seen her share of devils
The girl has encountered many difficult and challenging situations.
In this angel town
Despite being in Hollywood, which is often glamorized as a magical place, this reality is not as it seems.
I told her I ain't so sure
The singer bears a sense of uncertainty and doubt.
About this place
Regarding Hollywood, the singer questions the authenticity of what it appears to be.
It's hard to play a gig in this town
Performing in Los Angeles is notoriously challenging, with so much competition and seeking to make a name among troublemakers.
And keep a straight face
The singer suggests it's difficult to cope with the facade of Hollywood that may not be true to life.
Seems like everyone here's got a plan
To the singer, it appears that everyone in L.A. is constantly plotting and seeking to find a way ahead in the entertainment industry.
It's kind of like Nashville with a tan, but,
"Nashville with a tan" suggests that there are similarities with Nashville, a city famous for its country music industry, and L.A, but there are differences in what both cities value and best-known for.
Rockabye
The repeated phrase is emphasized, hammering home the singer's message of comfort and reassurance to the girl that everything will be alright.
bye, bye
The song ends on a soothing, peaceful note, with repetitive notes similar to a lullaby.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shawn Mullins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind