A native New Yorker with a captivating voice and a clear gift for songwriting, Meredith began playing both piano and violin from an early age, switching to guitar through high school and college. She began playing solo shows in small venues around New England, and made a few cds to hand out at shows which proved incredibly popular. Word spread fast, and the 2006 heyday of myspace added rocket fuel to the fire. When we talked with her about working together after the Southpaw show, we had no idea that her songs had already sold 15,000 copies, had not seen the 17 pages of cover versions on youtube, and had never been to one of her (more common) solo shows.
The name Gregory And The Hawk was conceived in 2003, initially devised to avoid her being perceived or pigeonholed as a female singer-songwriter (though, perhaps ironically, when pressed for a list of influences Meredith cites Nick Drake, Liz Phair, PJ Harvey). Meredith remained playing alone under that name for a few years, until she met Mike McGuire in New York in 2005. The two played live shows together for several months before teaming up with bassist Jeff Ratner and drummer Adam Christgau (both of New York band Paper And Sand). The four of them recorded the 'Boats And Birds EP', which they self-released in 2006.
Soon after, the four friends moved apart, and so Meredith began playing live with just Jeff on upright bass, and herself on acoustic guitar and vocals. This was how she played most of the shows to support 'In Your Dreams,' the debut album, again self-released in 2007. The only players on 'In Your Dreams' were Meredith, Mike McGuire (who also engineered most of it), and Susan Ambrose. The recording of 'Moenie and Kitchi' was somewhat different; while Mike, Susan and a host of others contributed, many of the instruments were played by the album's producer Adam Pierce (Mice Parade).
The gentle, hook-laden songs of Gregory And The Hawk's mostly solo/acoustic sets have received much of their considerable attention through internet streaming and downloads, resulting in a groundswell of support that belies the fact that up until now, there has been no label, no manager, or indeed any other supportive network to help them on their way. Gregory And The Hawk have but one thing on their side - the ability to craft spellbinding, idiosyncratic pop songs, that sound at once suggestive, familiar, and yet very much of themselves.
‘Moenie and Kitchi’ was released in October 2008, with US and European tours embarked on in support of this.
Gregory and The Hawk are currently writing new material for an album set to be released in 2010. Leche is schedule for release on Nov. 9th in the US and Nov. 15th in the UK.
Discography:
Gregory and the Hawk (demo quality) - c. 2002; re-released 2005
8-track demos - 2005
Boats & Birds EP - 2006
In Your Dreams - 2007
Moenie and Kitchi - 2008 - Fatcat
Leche - 2010 - Fatcat
Come, Now - 2012
Stone (EP) - 2012
A Selection of Demos - 2014
On the Orange Mountain - 2017
Three Weeks No Songs - 2020
Texas Collectious - 2022
Singles:
Ghost - 2008 - Fatcat
Olly Olly Oxen Free - 2010
Some White Mountain - 2023
Bootlegs:
Live at Olives - 4/4/04
Super Legend
Gregory and the Hawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And no one knows that you used to go
Sing yourself to bed
I'm a better better friend
To win your love
It's all I'm not
Two tiers above
All I see of you is smooth (smooth), smooth (smooth)
And hot (hot), hot (hot)
Get lost in the rotteness of it all
Now, come on
I'm a crutch
In a pinch
And you're too much
Get ahold of yourself
Get over yourself, man
To win your love
It's all I'm not
Two tiers above
The best I've got
The best I've got
The song Superlegend by Gregory and the Hawk is a poignant representation of the struggles of feeling inadequate towards someone you deeply love. The first line of the song states that the person singing is too young to be a “superlegend” and feels like they are not good enough for their love interest who is probably older and more experienced. The second line “And no one knows that you used to go” potentially means that the singer feels like they do not know or understand their love interest fully, and the growth their love interest has gone through in the past.
The chorus, where the singer says “To win your love, It's all I'm not, Two tiers above, The best I've got” reflects how the singer feels like they are not good enough for their love interest, who is likely out of their league. The line “All I see of you is smooth (smooth), smooth (smooth), And hot (hot), hot (hot), Get lost in the rottenness of it all” means that the love interest appears flawless to the singer, but everything else around them seems flawed, which is a frustrating contrast.
The third stanza is a reflection of the singer asking the love interest to see themselves as they really are, instead of putting themselves on a pedestal. The final chorus repeats the sentiment of the first chorus, showing that the singer feels like they are not good enough for the love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Too young to be superlegend
You are not old or experienced enough to be a legendary person.
And no one knows that you used to go
Nobody is aware of your past or your whereabouts.
Sing yourself to bed
You sing songs yourself to calm yourself down and go to sleep at night.
I'm a better better friend
I am a friend who is better at being supportive and helpful.
To win your love
I would do anything to make you love me back.
It's all I'm not
Unfortunately, I do not possess the qualities that you are looking for in a partner.
Two tiers above
You are much better and superior to me.
The best I've got
I am giving you the best that I can offer.
All I see of you is smooth (smooth), smooth (smooth)
I perceive you as being very smooth, with no rough edges or imperfections.
And hot (hot), hot (hot)
You are attractive and desirable.
Get lost in the rotteness of it all
Be consumed by the unpleasantness and decay of the situation or environment.
Now, come on
Encouraging someone to act or behave in a certain way or to hurry up.
I'm a crutch
I am someone or something that helps you get through a difficult time or situation.
In a pinch
If necessary or in an emergency situation.
And you're too much
You are too extreme or intense for me to handle.
Get ahold of yourself
Get back control of your emotions or actions.
Get over yourself, man
Stop thinking that you are better and more important than others.
Contributed by Evelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@xKitKit
This song is a lullaby for my heart.
@SLOTHIGER
Too young to be
Super legend
And no one knows that years ago
You'd sing yourself to bed
I'm a better, better friend
To win your love
It's all I'm not
Two tiers above
The best I've got
All I see in you is new, smooth
And I, I get lost
In the rottenness of it all
Come on I'm a crutch in a pinch
And you're too much
Get a hold of yourself get over yourself
Man
To win your love
It's all I'm not
Two tiers above
The best I've got
The best I've got
@zerato4454
Masterpiece
I can't say more...
@ThePlanetes
Very great !
@justinmorgan9040
"the women in this town are miserable, steve-o"