After fronting several rock bands in his native Idaho, singer/songwriter Justin Ringle moved to Portland, OR in 2004 and began focusing on acoustic music, playing open mics regularly under the moniker Horse Feathers. In 2005, multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick heard a couple of Justin's demos and offered to help flesh them out. In February 2006 the duo went into Skyler Norwood's Miracle Lake studios and recorded their debut album, Words are Dead, which was released that September on Portland label, Lucky Madison. Later that year, Peter's sister Heather Broderick joined the group on cello and by 2007, Horse Feathers began featuring a rotating cast of instrumentalists backing Justin's guitar and vocals.
Justin and the Brodericks returned to Miracle Lake studios in the fall and winter of 2007 and recorded House With No Home, which was released on Kill Rock Stars in the spring of 2008. Around that time, Peter left the country to pursue music in Europe, and Nathan Crockett was enlisted to cover violin duties. Several months later, Heather also left the group to pursue other musical projects and cellist Catherine Odell came on board. The current lineup was rounded out at the beginning of 2009 when Sam Cooper joined as a multi-instrumentalist. As a four piece, the group has been touring extensively and released a new album entitled Thistled Spring on Kill Rock Stars, April 20th, 2010.
In Our Blood
Horse Feathers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are tones you tend to take when you're at home.
Let me be that thorn, thistle, or key.
Let me prove you'll unlock just for me.
It's in your eyes we fail to even try.
It's in our blood to watch each day go by.
It's in our times young men they're living on dimes.
There are things you tend to say when you're alone
There are tones you tend to take when young hearts are broke.
Let me be that thorn, thistle, or key.
Let me prove you'll unlock just for me.
It's in your eyes we fail to even try.
It's in our blood to watch each day go by.
It's in our times young men they're living on dimes.
It's on our minds to put our hands to throats.
The lyrics to Horse Feathers' song In Our Blood explore the deep-seated patterns and behaviors that stem from the culture and environment we are raised in. The first stanza speaks to the ways in which we adapt and change our behavior depending on the situation we find ourselves in. When we are alone, we may say things we wouldn't say in public, or adopt a different tone altogether. The singer suggests that they want to be someone who can break down these barriers and unlock the real person underneath. They offer to be a thorn, a thistle, or a key - all difficult and prickly objects, but ones that ultimately help to reveal what lies beneath the surface.
The second stanza delves deeper into the routine we have in our lives. It is in our blood to simply let days go by without attempting to change our situation, to observe and not participate in life. The idea of young men living on dimes speaks to a lack of opportunity or resources. It is as if they are trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to escape or fight against their circumstances. The line "put our hands to throats" communicates a sense of frustration and anger, perhaps indicating a violent or aggressive response to this situation.
Overall, the song suggests a desire to break free from conventional patterns and routines, to find true connection with others, and to break down barriers that keep us from truly knowing ourselves and each other.
Line by Line Meaning
There are things you tend to say when you're alone.
People often say things when they are alone that they would never say in front of anyone else.
There are tones you tend to take when you're at home.
People often use a different tone of voice when they are at home, perhaps more relaxed or comfortable.
Let me be that thorn, thistle, or key.
Let me be the thing that causes you discomfort or protects you, or the thing that unlocks your potential.
Let me prove you'll unlock just for me.
Let me show you that you will only open up and trust me.
It's in your eyes we fail to even try.
Your eyes show us that we have given up trying to make things work.
It's in our blood to watch each day go by.
We have a natural inclination to let time pass us by without making meaningful changes or progress.
It's in our times young men they're living on dimes.
In our modern times, young men often struggle to make ends meet and live a fulfilling life.
It's on our minds to put our hands to throats.
We can't stop thinking about the power we have to control or hurt others, and we may be tempted to use it.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.