She collaborated with Matthew Good for his song "Flight Recorder From Viking 7," which can be found on his album "Loser Anthems" and with fellow Canucks of The Tea Party on "Wishing you would stay".
Darlin'
Holly McNarland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lives change and friends fade away
Such a pretty face with that long blond hair
Deep blue eyes and an 80's ugly stare
Darlin' don't let yourself down again
Pour it all out on the ground
Pour it all out
She's lost but nobody's looking
Always a game and no one to play
A long way from grace
To the lines on her face
Burning up bridges with an 80's ugly stare
C'mon
This time things have changed
And the clocks rearranged
Her days are long and her will is gone
She drinks wine from a cup
When the neighbours are up
Life's way too long when you're
Queen of the prom
Missing steps with a burgundy smile
In Holly McNarland's song "Darlin," the lyrics depict a character who is experiencing a sense of longing and abandonment. The opening lines suggest that the person desires something or someone but feels unwanted in return. Their life is in a state of flux, and friendships have faded away. The description of their physical appearance, with pretty face, long blond hair, and deep blue eyes, juxtaposes with the line "80's ugly stare," implying that this person may still cling to outdated notions of beauty and trends from the past, which further emphasizes their feeling of being out of place or disconnected.
The chorus, "Darlin' don't let yourself down again, pour it all out on the ground," speaks to a sense of self-deprecation and perhaps a tendency for this person to internalize their feelings of not being wanted. They are urged to express their emotions and let them out, rather than holding them in. The following lines describe the person as perpetually missing steps with a "burgundy smile," suggesting that they are navigating life clumsily or without a clear direction. Despite feeling lost, they go unnoticed by others, as if their struggles are hidden from view. The references to burning bridges and the recurring mention of an "80's ugly stare" speak to an element of self-sabotage or destructive behavior, as if this person pushes others away and prevents meaningful connections due to their own unresolved issues.
In the second verse, the lyrics suggest that something has changed in the person's life, noting that clocks have rearranged and their days are long. The repetition of the line "Missing steps with a burgundy smile" emphasizes their continued struggles and lack of direction. The mention of drinking wine from a cup when the neighbors are up signifies a form of escapism or seeking solace in alcohol. The line "Life's way too long when you're Queen of the prom" further conveys a sense of stagnation or living in the past, highlighting the contrast between their current reality and a time of perceived glory.
Overall, "Darlin" portrays a character who grapples with feelings of not being wanted, self-deprecation, and a sense of being lost or disconnected. The song explores themes of self-destructive behavior, the longing for connection, and the effects of holding on to outdated ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
She wants but she's no longer wanted
She desires love and attention, but she feels unwanted and unimportant to others.
Lives change and friends fade away
As time passes, people's lives transform and friendships slowly dissolve.
Such a pretty face with that long blond hair
She possesses a beautiful appearance with her flowing blonde hair.
Deep blue eyes and an 80's ugly stare
Her eyes are a striking shade of blue, but she gazes with a sense of sadness or emptiness reminiscent of the 80s.
Darlin' don't let yourself down again
My dear, please don't disappoint yourself once more.
Pour it all out on the ground
Release your emotions and let them flow freely onto the earth.
Pour it all out
Empty yourself of your troubles and burdens.
Missing steps with a burgundy smile
She stumbles and makes mistakes while maintaining a forced smile, as if hiding her true emotions.
She's lost but nobody's looking
She feels lost and disconnected, yet no one notices or pays attention.
Always a game and no one to play
Her life feels like a constant game, but there is no one to share it with or participate alongside her.
A long way from grace
She is far from experiencing elegance or dignity in her life.
To the lines on her face
The wrinkles and traces of hardships on her face reflect the challenges she has endured.
Burning up bridges with an 80's ugly stare
She is destroying relationships and connections with a harsh, unattractive gaze reminiscent of the 80s.
C'mon
Encouragement to overcome obstacles and move forward.
This time things have changed
Now, situations have taken a different turn compared to before.
And the clocks rearranged
Time has reordered and restructured the way events unfold.
Her days are long and her will is gone
She feels trapped in never-ending days, and her determination has faded away.
She drinks wine from a cup
She indulges in wine as a form of solace and escape.
When the neighbours are up
She drinks while her neighbors are awake, possibly indicating a sense of needing privacy or secrecy.
Life's way too long when you're Queen of the prom
Life feels excessively drawn-out and burdensome when you were once in the spotlight but have now lost that glory.
Missing steps with a burgundy smile
She continues to stumble and struggle while wearing a forced smile, perhaps hiding her pain or inner struggles.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind