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)
I Wonder Where You've Gone
Girlyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since we've said much and then some
Sometimes I feel just fine
There are days I shrug
I think it's not meant at all
And I put down that pen and sigh
You caught me by surprise
And I wonder where you have gone
You have not kept me apprised
Of the tales of your life
And I wonder where you have gone
We lit up the night
But a spark's not a candle
It's as bright as a star's dying tears
When you looked at me
I saw more than just moonlight
I believed every word, every fear
You caught me by surprise
With that look in your eyes
And I wonder where you have gone
You have not kept me apprised
Of the tales of your life
And I wonder where you have gone
Now the wind's picked up
And the trees they are a-heavin'
Do you think that I'm to blame?
You could not bear
To wallow in this despair
You said I tried to make you change
You caught me by surprise
With that look in your eyes
And I wonder where you have gone
You have not kept me apprised
Of the tales of your life
And I wonder where you have gone
The song ‘I Wonder Where You’ve Gone’ by Girlyman is a moving exploration of the nature of friendship, connection and distance. Through the lyrics of the song, the singer acknowledges a long period of silence between two friends, and considers the effect this separation has had on their relationship. The singer expresses a mix of emotions - sometimes feeling fine and shrugging off the distance between them as inevitable, and sometimes more deeply affected by it. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and wonder about what has happened to the other person in their absence - where they have gone, how they are doing, what life has brought them. Throughout the song, the singer also reflects on their own role in the distance between them, wondering if it was their fault or if they could have done more to maintain the friendship.
One of the most poignant moments in the song comes in the second verse, where the singer reflects on a moment when they felt especially close to the other person: “When you looked at me / I saw more than just moonlight / I believed every word, every fear.” This line captures the depth of connection that the singer once felt with their friend, and the sense of loss in its absence. In the final verse, the lyrics take a more bitter turn as the singer wonders if they are to blame for the distance between them, and considers the possibility that they tried to change the other person in some way: “You could not bear / To wallow in this despair / You said I tried to make you change.” This ending leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved tension, and a feeling that the relationship between the two friends may never be fully healed.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time, friend
It has been a significant amount of time since we have had a meaningful conversation
Since we've said much and then some
We have not communicated extensively in quite a while
Sometimes I feel just fine
At times, I am content with our current state of distance
There are days I shrug
Occasionally, I am indifferent to our lack of communication
I think it's not meant at all
I believe it is possible that we are not meant to be close friends
And I put down that pen and sigh
I stop writing letters or messages to you and feel despondent
You caught me by surprise
Your sudden appearance or behavior was unexpected
With that look in your eyes
I noticed something in your eyes that indicated something had changed
And I wonder where you have gone
I am curious about your whereabouts and why we have not been in touch
You have not kept me apprised
You have not kept me informed or updated about your life
Of the tales of your life
The stories and events that have occurred in your life
We lit up the night
We had a memorable experience together
But a spark's not a candle
The initial excitement or connection we shared was not strong enough to sustain a lasting friendship
It's as bright as a star's dying tears
Although we had a powerful initial connection, it was fleeting and now fades away like the light of a dying star
When you looked at me
Your gaze conveyed something significant to me
I saw more than just moonlight
I perceived an intense emotion or meaning beyond the physical surroundings of our meeting place
I believed every word, every fear
I trusted and understood your feelings and concerns completely
Now the wind's picked up
The situation has changed suddenly
And the trees they are a-heavin'
The environment seems to reflect the turbulent emotions between us
Do you think that I'm to blame?
Are you assigning responsibility or fault to me?
You could not bear
You were unable to handle
To wallow in this despair
To remain in this painful and unhappy state
You said I tried to make you change
You accused me of attempting to alter your personality or behavior
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.