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.
Red Heart
Hey Rosetta! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A fish so cold?
Were you born in autumn,
As the river froze?
Cause you shut up
And you're shut in
And I know that
You've got your reasons
Honey, let your red heart show
Won't you? won't you? can't you?
Were you born a closed book,
Full of secret lines? (and bound so tight)
Or did you learn to lock it,
As not to break your spine? (oh! you were bound so tight)
Cause you shut up
And you're all shut inside
And I wanted to get you smiling
And maybe once in awhile you could try
And maybe let your red heart show
Come on
Won't you let your red heart show?
Won't you let your red heart show?
Don't you let your red heart go cold
Don't you let your red heart go cold
We were given so much and we let it go
We were given so much and we're getting old
We were promised so much but we let it go
We were promised so much and it's going I know
But you look so good when you're laughing you know
Yeah you know you look so good when you let it show
Honey you look so good when you're laughing
In Hey Rosetta!'s "Red Heart," lead singer Tim Baker paints a picture of someone who has shut themselves off emotionally, asking if they were "born in water" or "born in autumn." He pleads with them to let their "red heart show," urging them to break free from the binds that have kept them closed off. The idea of being "bound so tight" is repeated, suggesting that this person has become trapped by their own emotional barriers. The chorus becomes a desperate plea for them to finally reveal their true selves: "Won't you let your red heart show? / Don't you let your red heart go cold."
Throughout the song, Baker seems torn between understanding the reasons why this person has shut themselves off and feeling frustrated with their inability to open up. He recognizes that "you've got your reasons," but still wants them to take a chance and show their vulnerable side. The repeated use of the phrase "so much" also emphasizes the idea of missed opportunities and potential unfulfilled. The song ends with a hopeful note, as Baker remarks on how wonderful this person looks when they're able to let go and laugh.
Line by Line Meaning
Were you born in water, A fish so cold?
Were you born with a detached heart?
Were you born in autumn, As the river froze?
Were you born with an unexpressive heart?
Cause you shut up And you're shut in
You hide your true self and don't reveal to others.
And I know that You've got your reasons
I acknowledge that you have your reasons for keeping your heart guarded.
But even still, listen: Honey, let your red heart show
Despite your reasons, it's important to express yourself and let your true feelings be known to others.
Were you born a closed book, Full of secret lines? (and bound so tight)
Were you born with a heart that's closed off and hard to read?
Or did you learn to lock it, As not to break your spine? (oh! you were bound so tight)
Or did you learn to keep your heart locked up to protect yourself from getting hurt?
And I wanted to get you smiling
I want to see you happy and be able to express yourself openly.
And maybe once in awhile you could try
Perhaps, once in a while, you can make an effort to show your true feelings to others.
Come on
Encouraging you to open up and express yourself without any fear.
Don't you let your red heart go cold
Don't keep your heart guarded so much that it becomes cold and unfeeling.
We were given so much and we let it go
We've been blessed with a lot in life, but sometimes we don't appreciate it and let it go.
We were promised so much but we let it go
We were promised great things in life, but sometimes we let go of those promises and don't fulfill them.
But you look so good when you're laughing you know
You look great and happy when you're truly expressing yourself.
Honey you look so good when you're laughing
It's beautiful to see someone truly express their emotions.
Won't you let your red heart show?
Encouraging you again to openly express your true feelings and not keep them hidden.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Timothy John Baker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TlanImass
This record made me fall in love with the TV Show Heartland. It's so memorable!
@shimegami97
Saw them at the EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS and many times between 2005 to 2011. Always had a good time watching them live. Ah youth....
@sg5217
Stunned that there aren't many more comments. Saw them open up for Sarah Harmer at Massey Hall and it was legendary. This song was a highlight.
@shimegami97
@@sg5217 Probably one of the greatest talents to come out of the East Coast in a long time. They always were a crowd favorite.
@user-lr6cd6yu7z
Phenomenal song!
@ashtonhynes2604
Proud of these guys forever-the best music I could even imagine !!
@darrenbesse9825
Saw them live with Stars in Victoria years ago. Such a good show. This song is so good.
@justintrueman2291
Always a fan of the bass
@waynemitchell5428
Love it - underrated!!
@abramomosole7397
This is a great intense song. It builds and builds then calms down slightly.