With a childhood spent on the move, as the daughter of a preacher, living between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia, before her parents finally settled in Portland, Oregon when she was in her early teens, Diane Birch absorbed a unique and very cosmopolitan perspective on life that shines through her music and makes a simple categorization of it impossible.
Trained as a classical pianist using Suzuki methodology (playing by ear at a young age following Suzuki's theory of language acquisition, where a child learns to speak before learning to read), Diane rapidly moved away from any confines of tradition, cultivating a very individual style and composing her own material. With an obvious abundance of talent and a passion for performing, it wasn't long before she realized that if she wanted to pursue a career in music she would probably be better served in Los Angeles, where both the film and record industries could be explored.
Working by day, making ends meet playing piano in up-scale hotels and bars, and then by night performing her own material in muso joints across the city, Diane rapidly attracted the attention of Hollywood's 'great and good', and before long the invitations had started to pour in to 'jam with Prince and his band at his house', 'write a piece of music for a movie' or 'perform for various top studio executives'. And as this started to unfold and her desire to communicate with her audiences grew even stronger, Diane discovered that not only did she have a strong feel for melody and musical composition, but also that she had a natural ability to capture her stories in words, and a voice to carry them.
As the buzz grew, even more opportunities began to present themselves to Diane, one of which was an invitation to come to England to focus in earnest on her career as a singer-songwriter, where very quickly she acquired a global publishing deal with EMI and started to garner rave reviews for her performances. Of one of the first of these, the UK's industry bible, Music Week, said "Diane has a voice and songwriting ability that will connect with truly global audiences."
Before long, Diane had been signed by Steve Greenberg's S-Curve Records and had returned Stateside, to New York, where she completed her debut album, 'Bible Belt' (2009), on which all tracks are composed by Diane.
An EP of covers "The Velveteen Age" was released in 2010 with backing from "[artistThe ]Phenomenal Handclap Band".
www.dianebirch.com
Fire Escape
Diane Birch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be seeing you when the lights go
When I put my head on the pillow
I'll think of you
My crimson dove
Wish that I could save you from the sadness
Honey, all around me lies the madness
What makes the price good enough to wanna pay?
What makes the hurt go away?
Fire escape when all that I can do is ache
Since you've gone away, you've gone away
My bleeding heart
It ain't gonna be the same without you
To think of all the shit we've been through
Ooh, I know, I know
Love makes the price good enough to wanna pay
But it don't make the hurt go away
Fire escape when all that I can do is ache
Cause you've gone away, oh you've gone away
Oh, go away
Let the fire escape, all that I can do is ache
Cause you've gone away, oh you've gone away
The song "Fire Escape" by Diane Birch is a heartbreaking ballad about love and loss. The lyrics suggest that the singer is saying goodbye to a love and acknowledging that the person has left them. The beginning of the song paints a picture of the singer imagining their love--"I'll be seeing you when the lights go, when I put my head on the pillow, I'll think of you." The next verse mentions "my crimson dove" and expresses a desire to save them from sadness, but ultimately, the singer just feels surrounded by madness. The chorus questions what makes love worth the pain it causes, and the fire escape represents a way to escape the pain of missing someone who has left.
The second verse, "My bleeding heart, it ain't gonna be the same without you," shows how much the person meant to the singer, and how much their absence will hurt. The chorus repeats, suggesting that no matter what, the hurt always remains. The final line of the song, "Let the fire escape, all that I can do is ache," sums up the theme of the song--that sometimes, all you can do is feel the pain and try to escape it.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye my love
I am bidding farewell to my beloved.
I'll be seeing you when the lights go
I will remember you when the day comes to an end, and darkness set in.
When I put my head on the pillow
I will recall you when I go to sleep.
I'll think of you
You will remain on my mind.
My crimson dove
My beloved, who is like a red dove.
Wish that I could save you from the sadness
I wish I could ease your sorrow.
Honey, all around me lies the madness
I am surrounded by insanity and chaos.
Ooh, of your love
The insanity is a result of loving you.
What makes the price good enough to wanna pay?
What makes the cost of love worth paying?
What makes the hurt go away?
What can cure the pain of love?
Fire escape when all that I can do is ache
The only relief I have is visualizing myself escaping through a fire exit when I feel pain.
Since you've gone away, you've gone away
You have been gone and have not come back.
My bleeding heart
My heart is full of pain and agony.
It ain't gonna be the same without you
My life will never be the same without you.
To think of all the shit we've been through
To reminisce about all the difficult times we endured together.
Ooh, I know, I know
I am aware of the challenges we faced.
Love makes the price good enough to wanna pay
The reward of love is worth the cost.
But it don't make the hurt go away
However, it cannot heal the pain from the past.
Oh, go away
I wish the pain would disappear.
Let the fire escape, all that I can do is ache
The only solace I find is in dreaming of escaping through a fire exit while I am feeling pain.
Cause you've gone away, oh you've gone away
Your absence has triggered intense emotional pain.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIANE BIRCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ebony Nelson
I love her, slow, raspy ballads, and soulful sounds...it gets no better than this!
Steve Schlicht
This music, this voice and talent just makes life that much better. I just caught on to this force of nature recently and can only now try my best to slow down, enjoy the brilliant discovery while listening to all that she has offered...and then share with friends. Thank you Diane Birch...wonderfully done.
marsha831
It's a treat to hear someone with a voice that doesn't have to be manufactured in a studio - beautiful phrasing!
kta611
She has a fantastic voice, and her music, especially this song, feels a little retro to me and I love it.
ndlz1
Finally! Someone who CAN sing purely! Long time coming. Not since Carole King, Pheobe Snow & Carly Simon have I heard such pure singing.
Connie D
I fell in love with Diane Birch's voice the first time I heard this after seeing her on one of the late night talk shows. I just cannot stop listening to her music - so much feeling and inspiration. Beautiful lady with a beautiful voice and such talent!♥♥♥
Beyoncefan230
Why isn't this more well known?! She is AMAZING. Much better than talent-less singers like Rihanna.
kelliepoppies
I heard her live in Maryland, and she sounds even better live! Good job Diane!
Patrick Vickson
She does have a lot of soul. That's why I like her, and her music. God Bless Her.
Anouck
Her voice is so beautiful, so natural, I can feel they haven't been any alteration from some studio (sorry for my english, I'm french)