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"Hayley Beth has been smouldering away on the Perth scene for years now, accumulating more buzz than Whitney Houston's nostril hairs. Listening to her EP, it's easy to see why. The diminutive Beth houses an intimidating big, deep voice, and she delivers kitchen sink lyrics with a bluesy honesty that you cold just get lost in. Part Aretha and part Billy Bragg, Hayley Beth has a talent for vocal melody and lyricism that most 50-year-old blues maestros would kill for. If you could bottle this EP, it'd get you drunker than you've been in years and leave you open to all kinds of unwise suggestions. Mesmerising." - Drum Magazine, Single of the Week
"Drink up,, it's a long weekend! A large glass of Jameson Whiskey, gnarly and harsh yet full bodied - a fair comparison to our opening act and admittedly her preferred gargle of choice. Our visitor from WA, Hayley Beth, possesses a powerful voice, one a veteran bluesman would be proud of. Though Etta James springs to mind, her inspiration surely reaches further back - think Bessie Smith or Memphis Minnie. We are treated a snarlin' bluesy set with some deft acoustic playing highlighted by tracks such as Crooked Spine, A Mouth Shut, El Capitan and Don't Come Home." - InPress, Melbourne
"Quite simply, they don't make 'em like Hayley Beth any more. Just a few notes of her powerful, hint-of-whiskey voice reveals an old soul, capable of hinting at something about the universe that the rest of us may not yet have realised." - Xpress Magazine
"Soulful, honest and utterly mesmerising, those who dared to take their eyes from her tender solitary frame were ignorant to the fact that this little lady is a complete dynamo. In the most literal sense... Gorgeous and rich, ironically her vocal style sounds more suited to a delicious black songstress straight out of raging eras past - not a fresh-faced girl from the back quarters of this isolated city. And the stories she spills are most deceiving to her age.." - Fasterlouder.com
"You sound old" - Tomás Ford
Bookings: hayleybeth@iinet.net.au
Seagulls
Hayley Beth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweat stuck to pretty pantyhose
And don’t start, just ‘cause you messed up
Still wasn’t enough. Enough to draw blood
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
Sea gulls at the party
And don’t stand in such a way as to trip the guests up
Knowing your luck
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
You can slow down
And hear the sound
You know what’s real
Got to be real
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
Well I am counting down to culmination
Taking care of them, octogenarians
And sea scapes are so plain
I want the desert, I want the hard rain
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
You can slow down
And hear the sound
You know what’s real
Got to be real
Don’t wake me
Don’t wake me
I wants to stay here
I wants to stay here
The first verse describes a scene of discomfort and tension. The "stark smoke and sore throats" suggest a polluted or smoky environment, perhaps referencing a party or gathering where people are smoking. The reference to "sweat stuck to pretty pantyhose" portrays a sense of discomfort and claustrophobia. The line "don't start, just 'cause you messed up, still wasn't enough" implies a situation where someone has made a mistake or caused a problem, but their actions were not significant enough to have a lasting impact or draw blood metaphorically. Despite this, the singer reassures themselves that they are not doomed.
The chorus introduces the image of seagulls at the party. Seagulls are often seen as pests or nuisances, and here they represent disruptions or annoyances in the singer's life. The line "and don't stand in such a way as to trip the guests up, knowing your luck" can be interpreted as a warning to be mindful of one's actions, as they might have unintended consequences. Again, the singer reiterates that they are not doomed and asserts their resilience.
In the third verse, the singer expresses a desire for something different. The reference to "taking care of them, octogenarians" could imply a sense of responsibility or obligation towards elderly people. The mention of "sea scapes" being plain and the longing for the desert and hard rain suggest a yearning for change and intensity. The repetition of "I'm not d-d-d-doomed" emphasizes the singer's determination to avoid a negative outcome.
The final chorus reinforces the idea of staying grounded and connected to reality. The line "you can slow down and hear the sound, you know what's real, got to be real" encourages the listener to pause and pay attention to their surroundings, recognizing what is genuine and meaningful. The plea of "don't wake me, don't wake me, I wants to stay here" reveals a desire for stability and the reluctance to face the uncertainties of the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
Stark smoke and sore throats
Intense smoke and irritated throats
Sweat stuck to pretty pantyhose
Perspiration clinging to attractive pantyhose
And don’t start, just ‘cause you messed up
And please don't begin complaining just because you made a mistake
Still wasn’t enough. Enough to draw blood
Still, the mistake wasn't sufficient. Not enough to cause harm
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
I am not destined for terrible fate
Sea gulls at the party
Seagulls disturbing the gathering
Pestering my baby boy
Bothering my dear child
And don’t stand in such a way as to trip the guests up
And please avoid positioning yourself in a manner that might cause guests to stumble
Knowing your luck
Considering your unfortunate circumstances
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
I am not destined for terrible fate
You can slow down
You have the ability to decelerate
And hear the sound
And listen to the noise
You know what’s real
You are aware of what is genuine
Got to be real
Has to be authentic
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
I am not destined for terrible fate
Well I am counting down to culmination
Well, I am ticking off the remaining time until the climax
Taking care of them, octogenarians
Looking after elderly individuals
And sea scapes are so plain
And ocean landscapes are unremarkable
I want the desert, I want the hard rain
I desire the desert, I crave the heavy rainfall
I’m not d-d-d-doomed
I am not destined for terrible fate
You can slow down
You have the ability to decelerate
And hear the sound
And listen to the noise
You know what’s real
You are aware of what is genuine
Got to be real
Has to be authentic
Don’t wake me
Please do not arouse me from sleep
Don’t wake me
Please do not arouse me from sleep
I wants to stay here
I desire to remain in this place
I wants to stay here
I desire to remain in this place
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hayley Beth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BethRoarsReactions
Hello everyone! I've started a second channel and I'd love it if you could check out my new video "I learned to Forge Steel"! I had so much fun making it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVlqmS_AFMs
@glacieractivity
This accordionist is never late. Nor early. He always arrives exactly when he means to.
@OFFlyingDutch
Thanks Gandalf :)
@Aurinkohirvi
Hah, hah. Well used quote!
@VivaLaDnDLogs
Don't think we've ever seen Beth so goofy and happy! Part of it is that listening to Thunderstruck without rocking out is impossible. Part of it is just that blistering banjo!
@lanerussell7958
You should have seen her analyzing "Wolf Totem," by The Hu. That one really made her happy.
@Kegnier
Discovered them years ago. Love what they doing. The November rain cover is just beautiful.
@mrolsen6987
X2 on that comment!
@darkiee69
Agreed.
@Arzie81
They pretty much took the legendary song, rearranged it wholly and poured full unit of Finnish melancholy on it, making an excellent cover of G'n'R classic! What makes them great, apart of being great musicians, is that they are pushing themself, have good sense of humor and have great work morale.