2) US ; country singer
1) Singer, writer and concertina player based in the North East of England. With a BBC Folk Award nomination for her work with harmony trio The Devil’s Interval, Emily is already an established musician on the UK folk scene, commended by Shirley Collins and annually touring with Waterson:Carthy. Emily has recently appeared at The Southbank Centre as part of their ‘Folk Roots, New Routes’ series and debuted her new songs at The Sage Gateshead. She is also fast making waves beyond the folk scene, being featured as a soloist on the BBC's adaptation of 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' as well as appearing on alt-folk songwriter Alasdair Roberts’ forthcoming album.
Emily originally hails from Glastonbury, where, raised on a diet of fairytales and deep Somerset folklore she began songwriting at the age of six, starting out with a keyboard, a tape recorder and a thirst for blood-curdling stories. After years immersed in traditional songs, Emily's return to songwriting has already grabbed the attention of the BBC, with Radio 3’s 'Late Junction' recently previewing her new music and ‘Words and Music’ broadcasting live performances of songs from the album at their 'Free Thinking' Festival. Inspired by folktales and Ballads, Emily weaves harmony-rich narratives relaying female experience, accompanied by Viola player Lucy Farrell (fresh from touring with The Unthanks) and Harpist Rachel Newton of BBC folk Award Nominees The Shee. These visceral visions of a darker Albion conjure landscapes where mythical sirens collide in urban backstreets. Emily's debut solo album ‘The Glamoury’ was released in March 2010.
2) US ; country singer : http://www.last.fm/music/Emily+Portman/Country+Girl+Like+Me
Hinge of the Year
Emily Portman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the the nightclubs spill onto the street
There's vodka and wine and blood in the gutters
The drunkards they mutter unsteady on their feet
Wouldn't it be fine to climb up on the roof
See the lights of the city spread out like a galaxy
And with a little Dutch courage inside of me
I'll take a leap of faith in search of proof
Here I sway as the hinge of the year swings around
One sip from the hip flask just might bring the ground a little nearer
Might bring these swirling lights clearer
Might just topple this fear
as the hinge of the year swings around
Searching for proof as these
That these feathers are no flight of fancy
For they've never been flown(?)
Been hiding them under my coat all the winter
But lately how they've grown
So have I, shot up like a weed through the concrete
I'm sweeter than honey dad, that's what they tell me
I make them so heady, a little unsteady on their feet
Until they run from me
Here I sway as the hinge of the year swings around
One sip from the hip flask just might bring the ground a little nearer
Might bring these swirling lights clearer
Might just topple this fear
as the hinge of the year swings around
I won't be anyone's stone carved angel
I'm gristle and feather and bone
I won't be anyone's bird in a cage
No freaks how on a stage
So leave me alone
I knew I was different ever since I hatched out
And I don't need to stumble on rooftops and shout
But here I sway as the hinge of the year swings around
One sip from the hip flask just might bring the ground a little nearer
Might bring these swirling lights clearer
Might just topple this fear
as the hinge of the year swings around
Here I sway as the hinge of the year swings around
One sip from the hip flask just might bring the ground a little nearer
Might bring these swirling lights clearer
Might just topple this fear
as the hinge of the year swings around
I'll take my first footing and part with my old friend the ground
The song "Hinge of the Year" by Emily Portman talks about taking a leap of faith and facing fears. The lyrics describe the aftermath of a night out, where the streets are filled with drunk and unsteady people. The singer of the song contemplates climbing up on the roof to see the lights of the city and find the courage to take a leap of faith. As the hinge of the year swings around, she hopes to prove to herself and others that her feathers, which she has been hiding, are not just a flight of fancy. She has grown and changed in a way that people around her notice and the singer wants to show them that she won't be anybody's stone-carved angel trapped in a birdcage. She will take her first footing and leave her old friend, the ground, behind.
The song has a clear metaphorical meaning that talks about taking risks and shedding old skins to become something more beautiful and meaningful. The hinge of the year can be interpreted as a pivotal moment, either in one's personal life or in the world, that signals change and growth. Emily Portman uses vivid imagery to describe the mood and atmosphere of the song, including the drunkards muttering and the feathers hiding under her coat. The use of the hip flask and Dutch courage also highlights the themes of bravery and taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
After a heady night out on the tiles
After having an enjoyable and lively night out
As the nightclubs spill onto the street
As people leave nightclubs and take to the streets
There's vodka and wine and blood in the gutters
There is alcohol and possibly violence on the streets
The drunkards they mutter unsteady on their feet
The intoxicated people stumble and speak incoherently
Wouldn't it be fine to climb up on the roof
Wouldn't it be nice to go climb a rooftop
See the lights of the city spread out like a galaxy
See the city lights that resemble a galaxy
And with a little Dutch courage inside of me
And with a little alcohol to bolster my courage
I'll take a leap of faith in search of proof
I will take a risk to find evidence or confirmation
Here I sway as the hinge of the year swings around
I am unstable as the year turns
One sip from the hip flask just might bring the ground a little nearer
A drink from my flask may make me feel closer to the ground
Might bring these swirling lights clearer
It might make these lights appear more distinct
Might just topple this fear
It might help me overcome my fear
Searching for proof as these
Looking for proof as I do this
That these feathers are no flight of fancy
That these feathers are not just a whimsical idea
For they've never been flown(?)
They may have never been used for their intended purpose
Been hiding them under my coat all the winter
I have been concealing them under my coat all winter
But lately how they've grown
But recently they have been growing
So have I, shot up like a weed through the concrete
I too have grown rapidly despite adversity
I'm sweeter than honey dad, that's what they tell me
People say that I am charming and attractive
I make them so heady, a little unsteady on their feet
I have a strong effect on people, making them feel intoxicated
Until they run from me
Until they want to escape from me
I won't be anyone's stone carved angel
I refuse to be someone's idealized figure or statue
I'm gristle and feather and bone
I am a living being, composed of flesh and bone
I won't be anyone's bird in a cage
I refuse to be trapped or controlled like a caged bird
No freaks how on a stage
I will not be displayed as a spectacle or oddity on a stage
So leave me alone
Leave me be, I wish to be independent
I knew I was different ever since I hatched out
I have known since birth that I was unique
And I don't need to stumble on rooftops and shout
I don't need to engage in reckless behavior to affirm my identity
I'll take my first footing and part with my old friend the ground
I will take a new step in my life journey and leave behind what has been familiar
Contributed by Hailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.