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.
Welcome
Hey Rosetta! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the doctors blinking hard
You'll be lightning coming out of the storm
It's a message, it's a miracle
You'll do all right
You've got your mother's eyes
You've got your daddy's head
For this hard ride
They'll be strapping you on
All the ups and downs and you can't get off
Yes, trouble we're handing off
And you've got to do better than us
It'll be all right
You've got lots of time
Got your daddy's love
Everything you want
I can feel you and what you're gonna be
You'll be stronger, you'll be smarter than me
Oh baby, I'll say it again
You're the most incredible thing
Sorry, this is it
It's cold and hard and badly lit
And there's no backing out of it
So forget where you've been
It'll never be that good again
And we must only look ahead
Soon you're thirty three
And everything you tried to be
Is pulled apart by fear and greed
Let young hands build you up
And carve your face in honest rock
With sunlight on your noble jaw
May young hands build you up
I'm happy that you've come along
I'm happy that you've come, I'm happy that you've come
Oh baby, I'll say it again
I'll say it again, I'll say it
You're the most incredible thing
The song Welcome by Hey Rosetta! is a heart-warming tribute to a newborn baby by its parents. The lyrics are deeply emotional, conveying the parents' love, apprehension, and hope for their child, as they embark on a journey of life. The opening lyrics, "You'll be a bright light coming out of the dark, all the doctors blinking hard," suggest the baby's arrival into the world, emerging from a dark, unknown place, into the light, as the doctors are amazed by the miracle of birth. The parents go on to assure the baby that they will be there for them, as they face the ups and downs of life, giving them the love and support they need.
The song offers a realistic yet optimistic take on life, acknowledging its struggles and hardships but also reminding us of the joy and beauty that comes with it. The lyrics "It's cold and hard and badly lit, and there's no backing out of it, so forget where you've been, it'll never be that good again, and we must only look ahead" highlights this perspective. It suggests that life can be tough, but we must keep moving forward, with hope, determination, and the support of loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll be a bright light coming out of the dark
You will emerge as a shining beacon of hope through difficult times
All the doctors blinking hard
Everyone around you will be amazed and astounded by your strength and resilience
You'll be lightning coming out of the storm
You will rise up and overcome any obstacles in your path with dazzling speed and power
It's a message, it's a miracle
Your existence is a wonderful and inspiring gift from the universe itself
You'll do all right
You will succeed in the face of adversity
You've got your mother's eyes
You have inherited your mother's wisdom and insight
You've got your daddy's head
You have inherited your father's intelligence and problem-solving skills
Everything you need
You possess all the qualities and tools necessary to succeed
For this hard ride
You will face numerous difficult challenges in life
They'll be strapping you on
You will be supported and prepared for the challenges ahead
All the ups and downs and you can't get off
You will experience both highs and lows, but must persevere
Yes, trouble we're handing off
Previous generations have left a complex and flawed world for you to inherit
And you've got to do better than us
You must strive to make things better and more just than they were before
It'll be all right
No matter what happens, you will be okay
You've got lots of time
You have your entire life ahead of you to accomplish your dreams
Got your daddy's love
You will always have the unwavering love and support of your father
Everything you want
All of your wildest dreams and aspirations are within your reach
I can feel you and what you're gonna be
I sense great things in your future and can see the potential within you
You'll be stronger, you'll be smarter than me
You will surpass me in both strength and intelligence
Oh baby, I'll say it again
I must repeat that you are a truly amazing and special person
You're the most incredible thing
You are an awe-inspiring and unique individual
Sorry, this is it
Unfortunately, life is often hard and harsh
It's cold and hard and badly lit
The road ahead will be difficult, dark, and unforgiving
And there's no backing out of it
You must face the challenges ahead without hesitation or reservation
So forget where you've been
Do not dwell on past failures or experiences, and instead focus on the future
It'll never be that good again
The past will never be as good as you remember, and it is time to move forward
And we must only look ahead
We must focus solely on the future and what we can accomplish
Soon you're thirty three
Time goes by quickly, and before you know it, many years will have passed
And everything you tried to be
The things you work hard to achieve may not always come to fruition
Is pulled apart by fear and greed
External forces such as fear and greed may hinder your progress and success
Let young hands build you up
Allow the next generation to support and guide you
And carve your face in honest rock
Stay true to your values and morality throughout your life
With sunlight on your noble jaw
Always strive to be a kind and honorable person
May young hands build you up
May those younger than you continue to support and uplift you throughout your life
I'm happy that you've come along
I am filled with joy and gratitude that you are a part of the world
I'm happy that you've come, I'm happy that you've come
I am filled with happiness simply because you exist
Oh baby, I'll say it again
Once again, I must express how amazing and special you are
You're the most incredible thing
You are a unique and awe-inspiring individual
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Timothy John Baker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aroryboreallen
This has been stuck in my head for years and now I know what it is :)
@AshesWhiteLives
Funny how I rediscover this song as soon as i find out my wife is pregnant lol.
@YdUnA19
Contrast bruv ❤️
@DWP-01
The slow part is fuckin amazing. Give me more of that
@logantrearty3260
The last melody really is the most incredible thing
@Weaponofmassins
I'm not crying.... You're crying.
@dariopuertasdiago2139
Thank you for this🖤
@Win7ermu7e
Aye, thanks.