French Vanilla were formed in the Los Angeles area in 2013 by singer Sally Spitz, guitarist/bassist Ali Day, drummer Greg Shilton, and bassist/saxophonist Daniel Trautfield. The band got their start playing at L.A.'s DIY show spaces, taking inspiration from legendary outsider punk acts like Essential Logic, the Waitresses, and Suburban Lawns for their sharp but danceable sound. The band released a self-titled album in 2017 on Danger Collective Records and toured constantly, playing shows with peers like Priests, Shopping, and Chastity Belt as well as opening slots for influential acts like ESG and the Make-Up.
In 2019, they returned with their sophomore album, How Am I Not Myself?, again released on Danger Collective Records and produced by St. Vincent producer Sean Cook. The band continued to explore themes of gender, female empowerment, and societal turmoil in the album's high-energy grooves.
evolution
French Vanilla Lyrics
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Cold, human outlier
She'll try her hand at making it
Right, but the next time that you see me
I'll be gone gone gone
Gone, gone, gone
For fear, for fear, for fear, for fear, for fear, for fear
I'll turn my mind inside
I'll take a walk in your shoes
At a loss for words
It's so confusing
How she struggles with me
She struggles with tolerating
What I want
I've got a friend and she's got it, she's got it
I've got a friend and she's got it she's got it
I've got a friend and she is not it she's not it
I've got a friend and she is not it she's not it
I've got a friend and she's got it, she's got it
I've got a friend and she's got it she's got it
I've got a friend and she is not it she's not it
I've got a friend and she is not it she's not it
Gurl, I've gotta find my place
The right place, the right place
Gurl, I gotta find my place, the right place
Fantasy is evil it deludes my mind
Fantasy is evil, I go inside
And see that I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
I'm wrong
She didn't even try
Can't waste any time on you
It's simply not the thing to do
It's probably something that you're going through
She didn't even try
She didn't even try at all
But that's out of my control
The lyrics of French Vanilla's song "Evolution" describe a person who is trying to free themselves from a toxic relationship. The opening lines "Cold, cold liar, Cold, human outlier" suggest that the other person is deceitful and different from the rest of society. The singer feels that this person will try to make things right, but ultimately, they will leave them behind. They will turn their mind inside and walk in the other person's shoes, but they are at a loss for words, and it's confusing. The singer struggles with the other person's inability to tolerate what they want.
The song mentions a friend who has found their place and seems content, but the singer still needs to find their own place. The line "Fantasy is evil, it deludes my mind" suggests that the singer realizes that they have been living in a fantasy and that it is time to face reality. The repeated line "She didn't even try" means that the other person did not make an effort to improve the relationship or save it from falling apart. Although the singer knows that they can't waste any more time on the other person, they feel that the situation is out of their control.
Overall, "Evolution" tells a story about someone trying to let go of a relationship that is no longer working. The lyrics express the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape. Nevertheless, the singer acknowledges that it is time to move on and search for their own place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold, cold liar
The person being addressed is a deceitful and untrustworthy individual.
Cold, human outlier
The person being addressed is a detached and emotionally distant human being.
She'll try her hand at making it
The person being referred to will attempt to succeed or improve herself in some way.
Right, but the next time that you see me
Next time the person being addressed encounters the artist, something will have changed.
I'll be gone gone gone
The artist will have left and will no longer be present when the individual is encountered again.
Allow me to demonstrate, and manipulate
The singer is confident in her ability to control or influence others and requests permission to do so.
For fear, for fear, for fear, for fear, for fear, for fear
The repetition of 'for fear' emphasizes the person's apprehension and anxiety regarding something.
I'll turn my mind inside
The artist will reflect deeply and introspectively on something.
I'll take a walk in your shoes
The artist will attempt to understand the other person's perspective or feelings by imagining herself in his/her situation.
At a loss for words
The artist cannot sufficiently express how she feels or adequately respond to something.
It's so confusing
The circumstances or situation are unclear or perplexing to the singer.
How she struggles with me
The artist is having difficulties interacting with the other person in a positive way.
She struggles with tolerating
The other person has a hard time accepting something about the singer or her behavior.
What I want
The singer desires something that the other person is reluctant to give or provide.
I've got a friend and she's got it, she's got it
The singer has a female acquaintance who is capable or successful in some way.
I've got a friend and she is not it she's not it
The artist has other female acquaintances who are not as capable or successful as the mentioned one.
Gurl, I've gotta find my place
The artist is seeking to discover her purpose or identity and where she fits in the world.
The right place, the right place
The singer believes there is a specific location or situation that will be ideal for her.
Fantasy is evil it deludes my mind
The singer views extreme or unrealistic imaginings as harmful and distorting her reality.
Fantasy is evil, I go inside
The artist retreats into her own thoughts or dreams, which she perceives as harmful.
And see that I'm wrong
Upon further reflection, the artist realizes that her thoughts or beliefs were mistaken.
I'm wrong
The artist admits that she was mistaken about something.
She didn't even try
The person being referred to did not make an effort in some way, which is disappointing to the singer.
Can't waste any time on you
The artist does not want to spend time or energy on the other person because it's not worth it.
It's simply not the thing to do
The singer believes it is not logical or productive to invest time or effort in the person being discussed.
It's probably something that you're going through
The singer suspects that the other person's behavior or attitude is influenced by a difficult situation or experience.
But that's out of my control
The singer acknowledges that she cannot change or fix the other person's issues or circumstances.
Writer(s): RICHARD KRUSPE
Contributed by Noah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AspenEmrys
this makes me feel some kinda way
@aijingwong1786
So freaking amazing!!!! Brilliant gal!!!!
@eliezerlogronio
Your sounds is 80-ish :) just like the era of The Go-gos,The Smiths,etc.I so love it.
@ponceje2011
I saw you guys at Echoplex and thought FV was freaking amazing and started to watch any videos you have online... You have all the great elements in your music. Great singer with her own style and energy. Bassist has this punk rock, fresh and nostalgic vibe and the saxoplayer is something else. Everyone is amazing. I can't wait for next show. PS can I direct one of your videos? lol
@MrJuluidum
I'm a contort myself to this. love, from France!
@Liliawenecja
I loooove it so hard
@marktingley6953
way into whatever is happening here
@mhmsure6682
Mark Tingley I wasn’t into French Vanilla until I’d seen them live. They mix such a unique energy on stage.. I’m going to see them every time I can.
@juantrevino5244
Loved your set at the paper tiger in san Antonio texas
@eliezerlogronio
I wanna buy your album guys :) Hope I will get the cassette tape version.