They began work as Ellery in 2005. Their style has been compared to the that of Sarah McLachlan, Ben Folds, and alternative folk, the Cincinnati-based couple wrote, recorded, and released the Make Your Troubles Mine EP which they recorded with the help of producer and guitarist - Ric Hordinski - (formerly of Over the Rhine). Their debut was received with positive reviews in local newspapers, and their local public radio station WNKU put them in regular rotation. After a feature in Performing Songwriter magazine, Virt Records contacted the band, signed them, and sent them back into the studio to turn the EP into a full-length album. The result, Lying Awake, was released in 2006.
Although they are normally described as a duo, backing music is provided by Ric Hordonski - electric guitars, loops, keyboards, Amos Heller - bass, and Josh Seurkamp - percussion, drums.
pieces
Ellery Lyrics
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It's nothing but a wish, oh we all dream of something greater
Ever a doubt, if there was ever any doubt
You find out what you are, yeah, you find out sooner or later
Kept my mouth shut, I should have kept my mouth shut baby
It's nothing but trouble - oh, it's had me here before
No matter what, no matter what I hear me saying
Pieces, I'm in pieces I'm in pieces
Let it all go, I should have let it all go
Me and all my taking myself so seriously
Enough to know, you've been around enough to know
I'd make a mess of plenty more if it was up to me
Pieces, I'm in pieces I'm in pieces,
I'm invisible
Pieces, I'm in pieces I'm in pieces
I'm invisible
The same lies, the same fears
I don't hide; I disappear
I close my eyes; no one's here
I say I'm fine that's what you want to hear
It's what you want to hear
The song "Pieces" by Ellery is a reflection on human vulnerability, self-doubt, and the emotional turmoil that results from hiding one's true emotions while trying to fulfill a role they had willingly or unwillingly taken on in life. It starts with the realization that the singer hasn't figured it out yet, whatever "it" might be, but it's instead just a wish or a dream, like we all have something greater we aspire to be or have. The song's chorus expresses the sense of falling apart, both emotionally and physically. The singer realizes that he/she is in pieces, trying to hold it together, but it's becoming increasingly challenging. The second verse emphasizes the importance of keeping emotions in check, especially when trouble strikes. However, the singer admits to speaking more than he/she should have, and that only caused more problems. The bridge of the song reveals the underlying fear of being invisible or irrelevant. The singer feels that whatever he/she says or does may not matter to anyone around him/her. He/she hides behind the falsehood of pretending to be fine when, in fact, the opposite is true.
The song is an emotional plea to recognize that we all have our limits and vulnerabilities, and it's okay to show them. The choice of words, tone, and melody all contribute to the effectiveness of the song in conveying the message of human fragility.
Line by Line Meaning
Figured it out, I should have figured it out by now
I realized I should have understood the situation earlier and dealt with it accordingly
It's nothing but a wish, oh we all dream of something greater
Everyone has desires for achieving something bigger and better
Ever a doubt, if there was ever any doubt
If anyone had any uncertainty or skepticism about it
You find out what you are, yeah, you find out sooner or later
Eventually, everyone discovers their identity and true nature
Kept my mouth shut, I should have kept my mouth shut baby
I should not have spoken my mind and kept my thoughts to myself
It's nothing but trouble - oh, it's had me here before
Speaking up has led me into problematic situations previously
No matter what, no matter what I hear me saying
Despite everything, I still make mistakes in my communication
It's never what I should have said on the other side of your door
After thinking about it, I always realize that I should have said something else
Pieces, I'm in pieces I'm in pieces
I'm mentally and emotionally broken into fragments
Let it all go, I should have let it all go
I must release my worries and anxieties instead of holding onto them
Me and all my taking myself so seriously
I have a tendency to be too self-important and concerned with my own status
Enough to know, you've been around enough to know
Through experience, you've acquired a certain level of knowledge and understanding
I'd make a mess of plenty more if it was up to me
If given the chance, I would still mess up more situations
Pieces, I'm in pieces I'm in pieces
I'm feeling shattered and helpless
I'm invisible
I feel like no one can see or understand my pain
The same lies, the same fears
I keep experiencing similar falsehoods and worries
I don't hide; I disappear
I don't deliberately avoid others, but I seem to disappear from their notice
I close my eyes; no one's here
I feel alone and unnoticed even when people are around
I say I'm fine that's what you want to hear
I deceive others by saying I'm okay because that's what they expect to hear
It's what you want to hear
People generally prefer hearing a convenient lie over an inconvenient truth
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.