Their self-released debut album, Remember Who I Am, sold 5,000 copies before it was re-released by Daemon Records, the independent record label run by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. Their folk-rock musical style is heavy on close harmony.
Before the three came together as Girlyman, Nate was an award-winning singer-songwriter, and Doris and Ty (best friends since second grade in Princeton Junction, NJ) were the award-winning duo The Garden Verge. Later, they played and clicked with old friend, JJ, gagged her, and threw her in the Girlyvan.
Members:
Ty Greenstein (vocals, guitar, mandolin and percussion)
Doris Muramatsu (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo)
Nate Borofsky (vocals, baritone guitar, bass guitar)
JJ Jones (drums)
Commander
Girlyman Lyrics
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Was it something that only you could see
Was it gold, or even better
Was it weapons-grade metal
Or a glimpse of your god?
Was it whispered right into the bones of your ears
Did you hear what you wanted to hear
When they made you commander and you couldn't be it?
Well the women just didn't like your eyes
And the big boys they cut you down to size
When the war came you ran for your life
As your businesses dried
Were they all there before you just waiting in line
To include you in their crudest design?
You were bad fruit, they knew you wouldn't ripen on the vine
And they made you commander when you couldn't be it
You couldn't be it
As for Jesus, you never felt much, but you prayed
'Cause you needed to believe that you could be saved
Now in private you don't cry but you have doubts
It's just better if you never let them out
Was it all there before you in a dream
Was it something that only you could see?
'Cause it's right there before you when you close your eyes
You would kill it with a pill but it would still rise
It's the pain of a great love you cannot deny
And you may be commander but you don't believe it
You don't believe it
You don't believe it
You don't believe it
The lyrics of Girlyman's song "Commander" communicate a sense of disillusionment with power and the consequences of being thrust into a position of leadership. The singer asks if the idea of power was predetermined, if it was something only they could see, and if it was worth it, alluding to the notion that the idea of power is ultimately an illusion. The lyrics also touch on the theme of religion and the singer's search for meaning in their life.
The song seems to criticize the idea of power as an ultimate goal, which the singer implies is a flawed way of achieving happiness. The lines "And they made you commander when you couldn't be it, you couldn't be it" suggest that being chosen as a leader does not necessarily mean one possesses the qualities required for effective leadership. The lyrics about religion communicate the idea that the search for salvation is often uncertain and requires intense belief in something intangible.
Overall, the lyrics of "Commander" reflect on themes of disillusionment, doubt, and the limitations of power, as well as the search for a deeper meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it all there before you in a dream
Did you envision your future success in a dream?
Was it something that only you could see
Did you have a unique vision of your own success?
Was it gold, or even better
Did you envision immense wealth or an even greater success?
Was it weapons-grade metal
Did you envision a powerful success or a metaphorical weapon of success?
Or a glimpse of your god?
Did you have divine inspiration or a supernatural vision of success?
Was it whispered right into the bones of your ears
Was your vision of success deeply ingrained in your mind?
Did you hear what you wanted to hear
Did you selectively perceive only things that aligned with your vision of success?
Did they take you and make you believe it was clear
Did others persuade you to believe in your vision of success?
When they made you commander and you couldn't be it?
Were you given a leadership role you were unfit for?
Well the women just didn't like your eyes
Did you encounter superficial judgments that hampered your success?
And the big boys they cut you down to size
Did your larger, more influential peers put you in your place?
When the war came you ran for your life
Did you flee from conflict or challenging situations?
As your businesses dried
Did your lack of success lead to financial struggles?
Were they all there before you just waiting in line
Did you perceive others as being envious of your success?
To include you in their crudest design?
Did they manipulate you for their own selfish purposes?
You were bad fruit, they knew you wouldn't ripen on the vine
Did others write you off as being destined for failure?
And they made you commander when you couldn't be it
Were you given a role of authority that you were unqualified for?
As for Jesus, you never felt much, but you prayed
Did you have a religious upbringing but didn't feel a strong connection?
'Cause you needed to believe that you could be saved
Did you seek comfort in the concept of salvation?
Now in private you don't cry but you have doubts
Do you struggle with insecurity and doubt?
It's just better if you never let them out
Do you feel like you need to hide your doubts from others?
'Cause it's right there before you when you close your eyes
Do you still have a vision of success deep in your mind?
You would kill it with a pill but it would still rise
Do you try to suppress your dreams of success but they persist?
It's the pain of a great love you cannot deny
Does your longing for success feel like a deep, passionate love?
And you may be commander but you don't believe it
Do you hold a prominent role but lack confidence and self-belief?
You don't believe it
You lack self-confidence and doubt your own abilities.
You don't believe it
You question whether you're truly fit to hold a leadership role.
You don't believe it
Despite external affirmations, you lack internal confidence in your abilities.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind