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.
Undercover
Gemma Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Takes me from what I never had
Back to what I'll know
Down, hold me, drag me down, hold me
Now I'm left undercover
Only half way there
A gypsy out of nowhere
Undiscovered, I was left for dead
Man you left me undercover
Sleep does not rest easy in this place
The urgency of water only knows how to take
Down, hold me, drag me down, hold me
Now I'm left undercover
Only half way there
Man you left me undercover
A gypsy out of nowhere
Undiscovered, I was left for dead
Man you left me undercover
Doo doo, doo doo, ooh ooh
Now I'm left undercover
Only half way there
Man you left me undercover
A gypsy out of nowhere
Undiscovered, I was left for dead
Man you left me undercover
The lyrics of Gemma Hayes's song "Undercover" contain vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The singer seems to be describing a state of being caught up in something larger than themselves, possibly a relationship, which leads them from what they never had back to what they already know. The undertow is a powerful metaphor for this, suggesting a force that cannot be resisted or overcome, dragging the singer down and holding them there.
The urgency of water "only knows how to take" in this place, which could refer to both physical and emotional exhaustion. There is a sense of helplessness and despair in the song, as the singer seems resigned to being "only halfway there" and "left for dead." The repetition of "Man you left me undercover" underscores this feeling of betrayal and abandonment, as if the singer has been left in a state of limbo, unable to move forward or backward.
Overall, "Undercover" is a haunting and introspective song that explores themes of lost love, disillusionment, and the struggle to find meaning in life. The mournful melody and the raw, emotional vocals of Gemma Hayes make this an unforgettable track that resonates with listeners on a deep level.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught up in the undertow
Feeling overwhelmed and swept away by something beyond my control
Takes me from what I never had
Making me feel like I missed out on something I never even had
Back to what I'll know
Bringing me back to a familiar place or state of mind
Down, hold me, drag me down, hold me
Feeling helpless and vulnerable, desperately seeking comfort or support
Now I'm left undercover
Feeling hidden and unseen, as if I'm hiding something or being kept secret
Only half way there
Feeling incomplete or unfinished, like there's more to come
Man you left me undercover
Blaming someone for keeping me hidden or in the dark
A gypsy out of nowhere
Feeling like an outsider or wanderer, disconnected from a sense of home or belonging
Undiscovered, I was left for dead
Feeling ignored or overlooked, like my talents or potential have gone to waste
Sleep does not rest easy in this place
Feeling restless and uneasy, unable to find peace or calm
The urgency of water only knows how to take
Feeling like something is draining me, taking away my energy or vitality
Doo doo, doo doo, ooh ooh
Vocalizing a melody, adding a musical element to the song
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: GEMMA HAYES, ROGER MANNING, JEFF TROTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arrita Shehu
Omg this song should be more popular,
I heard it on the radio and it blew my mind.
Arrita Shehu
@Joe K because the chorus is so catchy and the melody when shes you left me undercover is always the same but the words that come after this sentence don't sound the same,
The 3 lines after undercover sound different at the end of the melody in the sentence
That is because she adds one more letter like a and i
And it perfectly fits, if you don't pay attention then they sound the same, but if you do pay attention they are a little different
I like it, undercover sounds like'' on the cover'' first i thought that she said ''on the corner''
This made it hard to find the song but then I used shazam
Joe K
What did you find fascinating about it ? ... having heard it myself.
johnnykeano
Thanks everyone for the comments, such a great singer and irish too:)
kirstymarie6987
Why has this not got more view?So underated!She has an amazing voice
Riki Yamashita
One of my ever-lasting favourites for over a decade and going on strong.
Top Physique Analysis
now that's what i call music. beautiful song, beautiful lady.
Sarah Murray, Cork
love it :)
bernard bracken
My god i love her, not only is she beautiful but a great singer too. This is my favoured gemma hayes song. thanks for putting it up.
Brendan Jewell
Awsome! I write music and the layers to this song are complete.Gemma's singing is a bit edited and VST rendered.Even the Bass gets a head in to the song.Boy is she a looker!!!!!