Girl in a Coma formed when best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz met in Jr-high school art class over a mutual love of the Smiths, Nirvana, and skipping school. All they needed was a singer. Enter Nina Diaz, Phanie’s little sister. Nina blew them away with her mesmerizing vocals, a powerful voice some critics have compared to Bjork, Patsy Cline, and the band’s hero, Morrissey himself. The trio practiced for three years, gigged at local punk rock clubs, played a High School talent show, one kid’s birthday party, and then hit the road, building up a solid and loyal fan base across the country.
In 2006, the Girls played for Joan Jett and long-time songwriting partner and producer, Kenny Laguna, at New York’s Knitting Factory as part of a cable TV show featuring unknown bands. Jett and Laguna were so impressed with the band that they signed GIAC to their label, Blackheart Records, on the spot.
The band’s 2007 debut album, Both Before I’m Gone, was a critical hit with raves from Alternative Press Magazine, the LA Weekly, Bust magazine, among many others, with the album reaching No. 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 21 on iTunes. “Clumsy Sky,” the band’s first single, won a 2007 Independent Music Award.
In 2009, the band released their follow up album, Trio B.C. The album is a unique amalgamation of eclectic influences: oldies, rockabilly, 90s alternative, and contemporary bands both indie and mainstream.
Just a year later, the band recorded a companion piece to Trio B.C. Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Greg Collins (U2 and Gwen Stefani), Adventures in Coverland. features reinterpretations of songs and artists who have impacted the band. The songs range from a punked out version of Selena’s “Si Una Vez” to a stripped down version of Joy Division’s “Transmission.”
In early 2011, new material was piling up and the band was ready to head back into the studio to work on their upcoming album, Exits & All the Rest.
From sharing stages with their heroes to experiencing Arizona’s controversial laws firsthand, the album was born in an especially intense period for the band. The Girls headed a few miles north to Austin and recorded with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead). It was the band’s first time working on analog tape and all the basic tracks were laid down live. The recording process seemed to help the band capture some of the raw energy and power that they are known for in their live shows.
Clumsy Sky
Girl in a Coma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are we alright now?
something's gonna happen
you're staring off now to the sky
we're staring off now
hush heart just play dumb
you are waiting..
are you waiting for my sign?
bite our lips now
deep in the crowd
you're the matter of my secret heart
whisper codes under the hush sky
smiles light up the night
are you waiting?
you are waiting for my sign
in the back row
we will be alone
as they all walk by
I'm sorry just stop
you say I apologize too much
I'm sorry just stop
I'll only apologize when I'm wrong
are you ready?
are you ready for my sign?
slip away now
bite our lips now
deep in the crowd
you're the matter of my secret heart
whisper codes under the hush sky
and we are the stars that light up the night
The lyrics in Girl in a Coma's song "Clumsy Sky" convey a sense of tension and anticipation between two people who are waiting for something to happen. The first verse describes a moment where the two protagonists are gazing up at the sky, possibly waiting for a sign or an event that will bring them closer together. The line "hush heart just play dumb" suggests that both parties are nervous about revealing their feelings and are playing a bit of a game to delay the inevitable.
The chorus repeats the question "are you waiting for my sign?", emphasizing the idea that the two individuals are waiting for a moment of clarity or a spark that will ignite their relationship. The second verse, which takes place in the back row of a crowd, adds to the sense of secrecy and urgency, as the singers try to carve out a private moment despite the chaos around them. The song ends on a note of hope and promise, with the final line proclaiming "we are the stars that light up the night".
Overall, "Clumsy Sky" captures the tension, excitement, and ambiguity of a potential romance, and uses vivid imagery to convey the emotions of the singers.
Line by Line Meaning
picture me away
Imagine me being somewhere else
are we alright now?
Are we doing okay presently?
something's gonna happen
Something important is about to occur
you're staring off now to the sky
You are gazing at the sky at present
we're staring off now
Both of us are gazing at something at present
hush heart just play dumb
Quiet your emotions and act ignorant
you are waiting..
You are expecting something
are you waiting for my sign?
Are you anticipating me to initiate something?
slip away now
Let us leave discreetly
bite our lips now
Let us not speak and hold our silence
deep in the crowd
Amidst a large gathering of people
you're the matter of my secret heart
You are the subject of my private feelings
whisper codes under the hush sky
Speak in codes under the quiet evening sky
smiles light up the night
Joyful expressions brighten up the dark hours
are you waiting?
Are you anticipating something?
you are waiting for my sign
You are expecting me to initiate something
in the back row
At the back of a space
we will be alone
We will be in solitude
as they all walk by
While everyone else is passing by
I'm sorry just stop
I apologize, but please halt the action
you say I apologize too much
You claim that I say sorry excessively
I'm sorry just stop
I apologize, but please halt the action
I'll only apologize when I'm wrong
I will apologize only when I am incorrect
are you ready?
Are you prepared?
are you ready for my sign?
Are you prepared for me to initiate something?
slip away now
Let us leave discreetly
bite our lips now
Let us keep quiet
deep in the crowd
Amidst a large gathering of people
you're the matter of my secret heart
You are the subject of my private feelings
whisper codes under the hush sky
Speak in codes under the quiet evening sky
and we are the stars that light up the night
We are the shining lights that illuminate the darkness
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tesoros De Tomas
picture me away
are we alright now?
something’s gonna happen
you’re staring off now to the sky
we’re staring off now
hush heart just play dumb
you are waiting..
are you waiting for my sign?
slip away now
bite our lips now
deep in the crowd
you’re the matter of my secret heart
whisper codes under the hush sky
smiles light up the night
are you waiting?…
you are waiting for my sign
in the back row
we will be alone
as they all walk by
I’m sorry just stop
you say I apologize too much
I’m sorry just stop
I’ll only apologize when I’m wrong
are you ready?
are you ready for my sign …
slip away now
bite our lips now
deep in the crowd
you’re the matter of my secret heart
whisper codes under the hush sky
and we are the stars that light up the night
🖤🌹🌹🌹
Matt the Panda
This is like the second coming of The Smiths (sort of). It's hard to believe this sound is coming out of three "gals" from Texas. Just a great tune!
SAINT E.R.
My favorite part is at the end when Nina says "We are the stars that light up the night"
Leemythic
I really like their style, musically and all for me they're up there at the top ~^u^~
LJ Scott
Saw them in LA over the weekend. My fav new band for sure. I cant wait to see them again. Nina promised they would play my favorite song next time :)
Maylee Love
Got to see this band a lot as a kid, my dad booked shows for them, no idea where they are now, saw their name on a concert list in Lubbock Texas about 2ish years ago but the date was 2 days before.
Edith Flores
Love their sound. I will definitely catch them the next time their in Austin.
drakdamen
This song is amazing. I stumbled across it this week and can't stop listening. There's not much music after 1994 that I get excited about either!
McArio1
Wow! I´m impressed I discovered this band. Sigan así muchachacas!!
trinamarie480
They're pretty good, she's got a great voice!
inbigsa
I love these girls! I miss them dearly. Way to rock. Way to roll. I hope the tour is going well.