Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cite… Read Full Bio ↴Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cites Tom Waits and X as her biggest influences. Mandell self-released her Jon Brion-produced debut album Wishbone in 1998. Thrill followed in 2000 on Zedtone Records - the label that has released all of her subsequent full-length albums: Snakebite, the all-country album Country for True Lovers, Afternoon, Miracle of Five, and Artificial Fire. I Can See the Future is her first release on Yep Roc. Mandell also has several releases on the Minneapolis based Heart of a Champion record label: vinyl pressings of Snakebite and Country for True Lovers, two 7" singles, and a limited edition jazz vocal CD EP titled Maybe, Yes. Mandell's songs have appeared in several movies and television shows (including Six Feet Under), and she received much acclaim for her cover of the song "I Love Paris", which was used in a fast food commercial starring Paris Hilton. Mandell also sings, plays guitar, and writes for the L.A. pop supergroup The Grabs. She is also one-third of The Living Sisters.

Sylvia
Eleni Mandell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the river runs wild
And the big fish quarrel
I know he will see me
He calls me by name

When the water is high
That's where I will follow
And I know he can see me

He calls me by name

Sylvia
For certain
Yes, I see he wrote it down
Sylvia
For certain
Her eyes were wild and her hair was brown

Will we wash away
Well, I never was sorry
And I know he can see me
He calls me by name

Sylvia
For certain
Yes, I see he wrote it down
Sylvia

For certain
Her eyes were wild and her hair was brown

Overall Meaning

In "Sylvia" by Eleni Mandell, the singer appears to be in a place of uncertainty or danger - she references a "wild" river with quarrelling fish, and the possibility of washing away. And yet, she seems to find some sort of comfort in being seen and called by name by a mysterious figure. The repetition of the name "Sylvia" creates a sense of urgency and importance, as if the singer is trying to convince herself or someone else of the significance of this person. The line "her eyes were wild and her hair was brown" adds a layer of visual detail and possibly even sensuality to the song.

Line by Line Meaning

When the river runs wild
During tumultuous times

And the big fish quarrel
When those in positions of power disagree or fight

I know he will see me
I know that the person I care about will notice me

He calls me by name
He recognizes me as an individual with my own identity

When the water is high
During times of abundance or prosperity

That's where I will follow
I will seek out opportunities and pursue them

Sylvia
Referring to a person named Sylvia

For certain
Definitely

Yes, I see he wrote it down
Confirmed through written evidence

Her eyes were wild and her hair was brown
Describing Sylvia's appearance

Will we wash away
Will we be forgotten or erased