Growing up surrounded by Southern Baptist preachers, and a spiritual witchcraft embedded within the deep south, Heidi found herself caught between religion and the urges of nature. In constant emotional transit, she began writing songs reflecting the often opposing nature of these two powerful forces and her experience of being ripped between them. “I have a strong faith and a strong human desire. I think we all do in some way. I’ve spent so much of my life and time trying to suppress one or the other only to find that the best parts of me are found in a harmonious blend of both,” states Heidi. It’s from these emotions that tunes of love, anger, and the search for peace are found in her enticing lyrics and in the high energy performances of Heidi Hensley Band shows.
The Band consists of a rocking and talented quintet, settled in Athens, GA. Jeremy Wheatley and Gary Rachel (drums and bass) provide smooth back beats to Heidi’s catchy tunes. Ken Henslee lines those backbeats with unique guitar riffs, and Julie Fiamingo delicately weaves in and out of Heidi’s melodies with smooth perfect harmonies. Every song is told somewhat differently from each musician’s perspective. Those parts, blended together, make each Heidi Hensley song unique. Songs like “Right About You” and “Freedom Comes” have already gained national attention and are slotted to appear in film and television.
The Heidi Hensley Band is finding itself in good rapport with the ever changing music scene and its critics. Heidi Hensley was donned a 2005 Critic’s Pick in the Nashville Scene. Michael McCall writes “This singer-songwriter from Athens, GA, pops up her melodic tunes with a peppy sound that's delightfully out of step with most modern rock. The anti-diva's mix of troubadour wordplay and kickin' guitar arrangements makes her a comfortable match with such disparate acts as alt-rocker Danielle Howle and country star Jo Dee Messina. Hensley's rich arrangements and warm-yet-girlish vocals also tie her to smart folk-rockers like Jill Sobule; just when you've got her pegged, though, she'll turn around and stomp out a crunching guitar break.” Don Alcott of Southeastern Performer states, “[Heidi’s] songs are a mix of light and dark, like a medium-brewed coffee, ready to drink.” And this year they are looking forward to sharing some big stages with national acts like the Indigo Girls.
With the help of producer Glenn Matullo of Orphan Studio (John Mayer – Inside Wants Out, Shawn Mullins – Soul’s Core, Indigo Girls and more) Heidi Hensley Band is releasing their first full length album “Right About You”, set to be released September 2005. The album’s theme is the transit found in Heidi’s life: the emotional roller coasters of the love in life, the heartbreak found in that love, and the demons that haunt us all.
Awake
Heidi Hensley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He gets caught up in this soft light
And I'm confused by the way he moves
Looking down into my soul I hide
I don't know
Does this light shine down on me?
Cause I am lying here awake
I am ying here listening to you
My t.v.'s blaring and I keep staring
At colored eyes of people way too real
And I'm not amused by this light diffused
Across the screen projecting what I feel
Does she notice me like I notice her?
I don't know
Does this light shine down on me?
Cause I am lying here awake
I am here listening to you
I am lying here awake
You're getting through, you're getting through
Ooooh, do you know who I am?
Ooooh, do you see?
Ooooh, do you know who I am?
Ooooh, does this light shine down on me?
Cause I am lying here awake
I am lying here listening to you
I am lying here awake
You're getting through, you're getting through
The lyrics in Heidi Hensley's song Awake describe the feeling of being captivated by someone, while also feeling invisible and unsure if they are reciprocating the same feelings. The opening lines create a sense of movement and energy, with the sky calling and the moon moving. The singer then sees the person they are attracted to caught up in the soft light, and feels confused by the way they move. This confusion is further highlighted by the line "Looking down into my soul I hide," indicating a sense of vulnerability and possibly insecurity.
The second verse shifts focus to the singer watching TV and feeling disconnected from the images on the screen. They are not amused by the light or the people it portrays, and instead seem to be distracted by their own thoughts and feelings. This is conveyed through the repetition of "I am lying here awake" which creates a sense of restlessness and inability to escape from their own mind.
The chorus brings back the question of whether the person they are attracted to notices them, and again highlights the uncertainty and lack of knowledge the singer has. The repetition of "Ooooh, do you know who I am?" adds to the overall feeling of longing and desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky is calling the moon is moving
The beauty of the night sky draws attention to the moon, and its movement is hypnotic.
He gets caught up in this soft light
The singer observes a man being entranced by the gentle glow of the moon above.
And I'm confused by the way he moves
The singer is uncertain about the emotions and thoughts that are going through the man's head.
Looking down into my soul I hide
The artist feels shame and vulnerability as she fears being exposed for who she truly is.
Does he notice me like I notice him?
The artist wonders if the man is aware of her presence and whether or not he feels the same way she does.
I don't know
Uncertainty clouds the singer's thoughts and emotions, leaving her with no clear answer.
Does this light shine down on me?
The singer questions whether or not the moon's light is illuminating her like it does for the man she's observing.
Cause I am lying here awake
The artist is lying in bed with thoughts racing through her head, unable to sleep.
I am lying here listening to you
Despite the ambient noise, the artist is intently focused on listening to the man and the emotions he may be feeling.
My t.v.'s blaring and I keep staring
The artist is absentmindedly staring at the TV screen which is blaring, further drawing attention to the state of her chaotic mind.
At colored eyes of people way too real
The TV shows the singer a version of reality that feels overwhelming and too real to escape from.
And I'm not amused by this light diffused
The artificial light from the TV screen feels dull and uninspiring compared to the natural beauty of the moon outside.
Across the screen projecting what I feel
The TV is mirroring the singer's own conflicted emotions and making her feel even more uneasy.
Does she notice me like I notice her?
The singer questions whether or not the woman on the TV can sense her presence, and whether or not she feels the singer's confusion and distress.
Ooooh, do you know who I am?
The singer reaches out to the man and the woman on the TV, wondering if they can understand her on a deeper level.
Ooooh, do you see?
The artist craves validation and recognition from those around her, seeking to be seen and understood for who she is.
You're getting through, you're getting through
Despite the turmoil within, the artist feels empowered knowing that her emotions are being expressed and received by others.
Ooooh, does this light shine down on me?
The singer repeats her earlier question, reinforcing her desire for a connection and to be seen in the same way the man is by the moonlight.
Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.