Where McKeown cites The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as an influence on her music, the Philadelphia Weekly recently described McKeown's music, saying:
"More singer-songwriters should follow the lead of Erin McKeown, the kooky songbird who's proved both playful and daring throughout her career. With a lilting delivery and chameleonic instrumentation, she even slipped into French for "Coucou", a gem off her unlikely standards album Sing You Sinners. But with McKeown, is anything really unlikely?"
McKeown's latest record, Hundreds of Lions, was released under Righteous Babe Records on October 13, 2009. Additionally, "CabinFever", a series of web concerts recorded in 2009 are available at McKeown's website.
McKeown began her career in the folk scene. She released her first album, Monday Morning Cold, on her own label (TVP Records), travelling throughout New England while still a student at Brown University in order to promote the record. Although she had begun studying ornithology, she graduated from Brown with a degree in ethnomusicology.
Earlier works include the roots and folk-orientated Distillation (2000), mainly pop and swing-orientated Grand (2003), We Will Become Like Birds (rock and pop, 2005) and the jazz and swing-orientated Sing You Sinners (2006, USA: 2007)
Considering she's praised for vivid and entertaining live shows, Erin McKeown released several live records such as an EP featuring live performances on KCRW Radio in 2006 and live recordings from Sirius FM by the end of 2009.
Air
Erin McKeown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But what I lack for guts and blood
I make up for in dreams
Love! And you're wondering how it works
The heart in the natural world
It's a wonder that science can hurt
You are made for flight
From the structure of our cells
To the chambers we share inside
So let's become like birds
We will become like birds
Hope! It's the one thing that science will prove
What you don't have hope for you lose
Evolution is what you choose
I am made to fly
You are made for flight
From the structure of our cells
To the chambers we share inside
So let's become like birds
We will become like birds
Air! In my bones where the marrow should be
But what I lack for guts and blood
I make up for in dreams
The song "Air" by Erin McKeown is a beautiful tribute to the power of dreams and hope. The first verse talks about the air being present in the bones where the marrow should be, indicating the singer's yearning to fly and transcend boundaries. The lack of guts and blood can be interpreted as a metaphor for being afraid and being unsure when it comes to taking risks. However, the singer makes up for this deficiency by putting her faith in her dreams, which drive her forward towards her goals.
The second verse delves deeper into the power of love and its mysterious workings. The natural world is often portrayed as a place where science and logic reign supreme, but love defies all of that. The singer marvels at how love can be the cause of such joy and pain, and how these experiences shape us as human beings. The chorus brings together the themes of flight and transcendence, with the singer and her listener both being made for flight. This flight can be physical or metaphorical, but the important thing is to embrace it fully and become like birds, who are free to soar above the world.
The third verse talks about hope, which is one of the most powerful human emotions. It is hope that enables us to keep going in the face of adversity and to believe in a better future. The singer encourages her listener, and all of us, to hold on to hope, even when it seems impossible. Evolution, she says, is a choice, and it is up to us to make the most of the opportunities we have been given.
Overall, "Air" is a song about the power of human potential and the importance of following our dreams. It encourages us to embrace our inner bird and to fly higher than we ever thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Air! In my bones where the marrow should be
My passion for life and adventure runs deep within me, as if it were a part of my very being.
But what I lack for guts and blood
Although I may not have the courage and conviction of a warrior, I possess the imagination and creativity of an artist.
I make up for in dreams
I find solace and inspiration in my dreams, which fuel my ambition and drive me to pursue my goals with passion and purpose.
Love! And you're wondering how it works
The mystery and complexity of love never cease to amaze me, and I wonder if we will ever truly understand its power and beauty.
The heart in the natural world
Even in the midst of chaos and destruction, love endures and brings hope, healing, and joy to those who embrace it.
It's a wonder that science can hurt
Despite the many advances of science and technology, some of its discoveries and applications can cause harm, pain, and suffering, especially when they conflict with our core values and beliefs.
I am made to fly
I have a natural inclination to explore, experiment, and take risks, to push beyond my limits and reach for the sky.
You are made for flight
You have a unique potential and purpose in life, to soar above the ordinary and embrace your true calling and destiny.
From the structure of our cells
Our physical and biological makeup reveals a deep connection and unity with all living things, and a profound mystery and wonder at the complexity and diversity of life.
To the chambers we share inside
Our innermost thoughts, feelings, and desires reflect the shared experiences and emotions that bind us together as human beings, and give us a common ground to build relationships and community.
So let's become like birds
Let's embrace our innate curiosity, creativity, and courage, like birds do, and take flight towards new horizons and discoveries.
We will become like birds
We have the power and potential to transcend our fears, limitations, and doubts, and to transform ourselves and the world around us by embracing our true nature and purpose.
Hope! It's the one thing that science will prove
Despite the many uncertainties and challenges we face in life, hope remains a powerful force that can sustain us, inspire us, and help us to overcome adversity and achieve our dreams.
What you don't have hope for you lose
Without hope, life can feel empty, meaningless, and without purpose, and we can easily lose our sense of direction, motivation, and resilience in the face of setbacks and challenges.
Evolution is what you choose
We can either stagnate, regress, or decline in our personal growth and development, or we can adapt, evolve, and thrive, by embracing change, learning from our mistakes, and pursuing our passions and goals with courage and perseverance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind