She signed to Source Records/Virgin in 2001 and issued the folksy 4.35am EP and the more band-orientated Work to a Calm EP before releasing her debut album, Night on my Side, in 2002. The album was subsequently nominated for that year's Mercury Music Prize, now called the Barclaycard Mercury Prize.
After touring for Night on my Side Hayes took 2 years out from the music business; "All I do know is that I didn't want to listen to music at all. I stopped listening to the radio. It was like I'd overdosed on music".
In late 2005 Hayes returned with her second album, The Roads Don't Love You, and picked up the Best Irish Female Artist award at the 2006 Meteor Ireland Music Awards shortly before completing a small tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. She also co-wrote the song "Hazy" with Adam Duritz for the Counting Crows' live album, New Amsterdam in the same year.
Following the departure from Source/Virgin after her second album she released her third effort The Hollow of Morning on her own label in May 2008.
Let It Break is Hayes' fourth studio album, released in May 2011. The album was recorded in Westland Studios in Dublin, Ireland, Black Box Studios in Noyant La Gravoyère, France and in Los Angeles.
Her fifth effort, Bones + Longing, was released in November 2014.
Hayes' music has been featured on a multitude of films and television shows, including Grey's Anatomy, ER, and Mr. And Mrs Smith.
Don't Forget
Gemma Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now let it comfort you
Don't forget
The light never left
Dont forget this aint the truth
Dont forget yourself so soon
Dont Forget
Its just a light a you miss
Dont Forget this aint the truth
Dont forget yourself so soon
I cant believe it
Late at night the air is beaten black, we're lying,
You've got your head on my stomach
Dont forget this aint the truth
Dont forget yourself so soon
Dont forget yourself, dont forget yourself so soon
In this song, Gemma Hayes seems to be addressing someone who seems to be struggling with difficult circumstances. The first few lines of the song suggest that the person has been distant for a while, but the singer is finally able to reach them with a message that they hope will bring comfort. The repeated phrase "Don't forget" is intended to be a reminder that even when things seem bleak, there is always hope. The singer acknowledges the pain that the person has been through, but also wants to remind them that their current state is not permanent.
The second verse reiterates this message of hope and reminds the person that even though they may have been hurt in the past, they should not forget who they are and the potential they have within themselves. The line "Its just a light a you miss" is somewhat cryptic, but could be interpreted as a reference to the fact that even in the darkest times, there is often a glimmer of hope or a chance for things to get better.
The final verse paints a picture of intimacy and comfort, with the suggestion that the singer and the person they are addressing are lying together in bed. The song ends with a repetition of the message to not forget themselves, a reminder that even though they may feel lost, they still have control over their own lives and identities.
Overall, the song is a touching reminder to hold onto hope, even when everything seems to be falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, what took you so long to receive our transmission
Greetings, why did it take so long for you to hear what we have to say?
Now let it comfort you
Let our message bring you peace.
Don't forget
Remember what we have told you.
The light never left
There is still hope, don't give up.
Dont forget this aint the truth
Remember that this situation is not the reality.
Dont forget yourself so soon
Don't lose sight of who you truly are.
I see the state you're in, felt too much and now you dont feel anything
I recognize the state that you're in, you have experienced too much pain and now you're numb.
Its just a light a you miss
The positivity you're missing is right in front of you, it's just hard to see.
I cant believe it
I am incredulous or in disbelief.
Late at night the air is beaten black, we're lying,
In the middle of the night, the darkness outside feels suffocating and we are lying down.
You've got your head on my stomach
You are resting your head on my stomach.
Dont forget yourself, dont forget yourself so soon
Remember who you are, don't lose yourself too quickly.
Contributed by Caden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.