In 2005, frontman Baker arrived home from a road trip with a suitcase full of poems and melodies. Hey Rosetta! was formed soon after with the addition of a string section (cellist Romesh Thavanathan and violinist Kinley Dowling) and rhythm section (bassist Josh Ward, drummer Phil Maloney, and guitarist Adam Hogan). Since that time, they blossomed into a powerful group whose explosive live shows earned them a devoted following.
The band's album, Seeds, was produced by Tony Doogan (Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, Wintersleep) and revealed a maturing lyrical depth and an atmosphere rooted to the band's passion for epic musical experiences.
It was while recording 2008's breakthrough album Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood) that Tim Baker began to fully realize his vocal and lyrical abilities, and the band made a huge creative leap forward. Into Your Lungs garnered a slew of awards and critical accolades, was short-listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, and Hey Rosetta! were named one of Billboard's Top 5 new Canadian acts.
During the three solid years of touring after Into Your Lungs was released the concept of Seeds was born. "The title track, "Seeds", came about while out on the highway a few years ago" muses Baker. "In a way it's about what our lives had become, and how we're like seeds that float around into different fields and cities, bringing something and trying to build something for the people that come to see us."
The group developed the sonic landscapes found on Seeds while maintaining an extensive tour schedule that took them to Australia, China, Europe, the US and on numerous tours of Canada (including a tour of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut). The band then holed up in Newfoundland to finish the songs before traveling to Halifax, NS to record with renowned producer Tony Doogan at The Sonic Temple. "Tony was really incredible at getting all the sounds and tones we'd dreamt up. He's an amazing engineer and for all his Scottish bluster and pop-rock dogma, he is very sensitive, patient, and a gifted producer," says Baker (who wrote all of the songs except "Downstairs", "Young Glass", and "Seeds" which were co-writes with guitarist Adam Hogan).
Thematically, Seeds explores everything from depression to procreation. "Young Glass" was written after reading J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey". Baker explains:
"It's sort of directed at the novel's main character, Franny.. it describes a sleepwalking scene that didn't actually occur in the book, but one that I imagined. We spent a lot of time flying and sleeping on planes and in airports and I was always finding myself in half-waking states, feeling, as one does, all alone somewhere between dream and reality. When I'd wake up, I was always surrounded by people, going about their business. I like that; a sort of evidence that even when we think we are completely alone, we are not. So I wrote Franny, a character who is plagued by such thoughts, a song about it. but it's really about everyone".
First single "Welcome" is a song about Baker's close friends who were expecting a baby:
"I wrote a song for the little soon-to-be, who now is a 18 month old girl named Madeleine; healthy and beautiful, just like her parents" explains Baker, "I was just sitting with them talking to the unborn baby in a sort of cynical, joking way. You know, like "stay in there as long as you can kid. Sorry, but it's a mess out here..." and so on. Later, alone, I was thinking about what it means to bring new life into the world, how it's sort of sad but also so hopeful and kind of religious".
Hey Rosetta! decided to break up at the end of 2017.
Open Arms
Hey Rosetta! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was starved
White desert ground
I was dry
A hungry child
I lived my life dotted 'I's
Knotted fingers toed the line
I lived my life dotted 'I's
These knotted fingers toed the line
Then your open arms, your open arms, your open arms
I've been crying all of my life I guess
And all my smiles were just cringing and tired
Now your sleeves are drying my eyes
I find these bleary sights are cuff polished and bright
I've been crying all of my life
But here entwined in sinew and fire
The lyrics to Hey Rosetta!'s song Open Arms describe someone who has been living their life in a very systematic and rule-bound way. They have always followed the rules and done everything they were supposed to, but they have never been truly happy. They feel as though they have been starving and living in a dry, white desert, like a hungry child. However, once they encounter the love and support of someone else (represented by the "open arms"), everything changes. Their tears start to dry and they are able to see the world in a new, bright way. They can finally let go of the strict rules and regulations that have been holding them back and live their life in a more free and fulfilling way.
The metaphorical language in this song is very powerful, as it highlights the contrast between the singer's life before and after finding love and support. The "dotted 'I's" and "knotted fingers" represent the strict rules and regulations that the singer has been living by. However, once they embrace the love and support of another person, represented by "your open arms," they are able to let go of these restrictions and live their life in a more positive and fulfilling way. The language surrounding tears and crying is also very powerful, as it represents the emotional pain and distress that the singer has been feeling for years. However, once they find love and support, that pain begins to dissipate and they are able to see the world in a new and brighter way.
Line by Line Meaning
Open arms
Welcoming embrace
I was starved
I was deprived of spiritual and emotional nourishment
White desert ground
A barren and desolate place
I was dry
I was parched and in need of sustenance
A hungry child
An individual seeking fulfillment and satisfaction
I lived my life dotted 'I's
I lived my life carefully, adhering to rules and standards
Knotted fingers toed the line
I followed the prescribed path with diligence and determination
Then your open arms, your open arms, your open arms
Then a person reaches out to embrace me
I've been crying all of my life I guess
I have been experiencing emotional pain and sorrow for a long time
And all my smiles were just cringing and tired
My attempts to be joyful were forced and not sincere
Now your sleeves are drying my eyes
Another person comforts me and helps me to feel better
I find these bleary sights are cuff polished and bright
I am starting to see life through a new, more optimistic lens
But here entwined in sinew and fire
My newfound sense of self is connected to my passion and strength
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BAKER, CLIMIE, RANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Austin A Liboiron
This is an incredible ride of a song. Massive fuckin thank you right now. Love you Hey Rosetta.
Victor Martinez
PRimero