Beam was raised outside Columbia, South Carolina, United States where his father worked in land management and his mother was a schoolteacher. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor's degree and the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Until the first Iron & Wine album, Beam's main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend lent him a four-track recorder. His friends handed out copies of demos that he had made, and the owner of Sub Pop Records personally contacted Beam and proposed a deal.
Beam released his first album, The Creek Drank the Cradle, on the Sub Pop label in 2002; Beam wrote, performed, recorded, and produced every track on the album by himself at a studio in his home. The album features acoustic guitars, banjo, and slide guitar; its music has been compared, variously, to that of Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young, Elliott Smith, and Ralph Stanley.
In 2003 The Sea & The Rhythm was released, an EP collecting other home-recorded tracks along the same lines as those on the debut. Beam's second album, Our Endless Numbered Days (2004), was recorded in a professional studio with a significant increase in fidelity. The focus still lies on acoustic material, but the inclusion of other band members gives rise to a very different sound.
Beam released an EP titled Woman King in February 2005, and the EP In the Reins, a collaboration with Calexico was released in September 2005. This joint work mostly features new full-band versions of previously recorded Iron and Wine rarities.
One of his most famous songs is a cover, which was featured on a commercial for M&M’s candies and in the 2004 film “Garden State” (and on its popular soundtrack), of "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service.
"Kiss Each Other Clean" is the fourth studio album by Iron & Wine, released January 25, 2011. The album's title is taken from the lyrics of track 10, "Your Fake Name Is Good Enough for Me". The album marks a further change in style – in an interview with SPIN magazine, Beam said “It’s more of a focused pop record. It sounds like the music people heard in their parent’s car growing up… that early-to-mid-’70s FM, radio-friendly music."
http://www.ironandwine.com/
Joy
Iron & Wine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's innie binnie boy talking hard at your hand
Born bitter as a lemon, but you must understand
That you've been bringing me joy
And now in lie, no, you don't want the truth
I'm only fighting cause you finally gave me something to lose
And it's as loud as a thunder cloud and you will, too
Deep inside the heart of this crazy mess
I'm only calm when I get lost within your well darkness
Born crooken as a creek now you've come to contest
That you've been bringing me joy
When I'm love I'm living for you
When I've been blue but dying got me singing the blues
And it's a hard up silly song and bumbling tune
But now you're bringing me joy
The song "Joy" by Iron & Wine is a beautiful and introspective piece. The lyrics delve deep into the psyche of a troubled man and his relationship with a woman who has brought him joy. The singer addresses his inner turmoil and the inner child within, using metaphors of bitterness, darkness, and crookedness. The message that runs throughout is how the person he is addressing has brought him true happiness among all the chaos of his life.
The first verse sets the tone for the track. The singer admits to having inner turmoil but acknowledges the presence of an inner child, an "innie binnie boy" who is struggling within him but eager for connection. This child-like personality is bitter, and it's easy to see the suffering that the singer has experienced in his life. However, he concedes that despite these challenges, his relationship with the woman he is addressing has brought him joy. The second verse builds on this idea, and the singer points out that he's "only fighting 'cause you finally gave me something to lose." In other words, he's hung onto hope and a reason to live because of her.
The last verse alludes to the idea of love, loss, and rebirth. The singer is honest in her communication, asserting that she's "only calm when I get lost within your well of darkness." While the metaphor of the well is a little cryptic, it points to the idea that the singer's partner is a grounding force, providing him with a sense of comfort and a sense of belonging. The ending of the song is uplifting, as the singer points out that this person has "been bringing me joy," a sentiment that echoes throughout the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep inside the heart of this troubled man
This man is going through a rough time, and it's affecting him deeply on an emotional level.
There's innie binnie boy talking hard at your hand
Despite his outer struggles, there's a voice in his head telling him to keep going and persevere through the tough times.
Born bitter as a lemon, but you must understand
He's always had a tough exterior and hasn't always been the easiest person to deal with, but it's important for others to understand him for who he is.
That you've been bringing me joy
Despite all that, this person has brought him happiness and joy in life.
And now in lie, no, you don't want the truth
Sometimes the truth hurts, and in this situation, he thinks it's better to lie and avoid the pain altogether.
I'm only fighting cause you finally gave me something to lose
He's only putting up a fight because he's scared of losing something important to him for the first time.
And it's as loud as a thunder cloud and you will, too
His feelings are so intense that they're impossible to ignore and they're affecting others around him too.
But you've been bringing me joy
Despite the conflict, this person has also brought happiness and positivity into his life.
Deep inside the heart of this crazy mess
He's aware that his inner thoughts and emotions can be overwhelming and chaotic at times.
I'm only calm when I get lost within your well darkness
Despite the chaos, he finds peace and solace in this person's darker side.
Born crooken as a creek now you've come to contest
He has always been seen as an oddball, but this person challenges that perception and embraces him for who he is.
That you've been bringing me joy
This person has been a steady source of happiness and positivity in his life.
When I'm love I'm living for you
He finds purpose and meaning in life through his love for this person.
When I've been blue but dying got me singing the blues
Even when he's going through a rough patch, he's able to find strength and resilience through music and the joy this person brings him.
And it's a hard up silly song and bumbling tune
His life may feel difficult and confusing at times, but he realizes that it's all part of the journey and finds joy in the process.
But now you're bringing me joy
Overall, this person has brought immense joy and positivity into his life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMUEL ERVIN BEAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@holetoanotheruniverse4690
Deep inside the heart of this troubled man
There's an itty bitty boy tugging hard at your hand
Born bitter as a lemon but you must understand
That you've been bringing me joy
And I'll only lie when you don't want the truth
I'm only frightened cause you finally gave me something to lose
And it's as loud as a thunderclap and you hear it, too
But you've been bringing me joy
[Interlude]
Deep inside the heart of this crazy mess
I'm only calm when I get lost within your wilderness
Born crooked as a creek bed and come to confess
That you've been bringing me joy
When I'm alive I'm living for you
Another blue bird dying but singing the blues
And it's a heartfelt silly sort of bumbling tune
About how you're bringing me joy
@eltonrodrigues8517
Iron and wine - traducao Joy
Bem no fundo deste homem perturbado,
há um garoto puxando com força a sua mão
Nascido azedo como um limão, mas você deve entender
Que você tem me trazido alegria
E eu só minto quando você não quer a verdade
Eu só estou com medo porque você finalmente me deu algo a perder
E é tão alto quanto um trovão que você também ouve
Mas você tem me trazido alegria
[Refrão]
[Verso 2]
Bem no fundo desse coração em toda essa bagunça
Eu só me acalmo quando eu me perco dentro do seu deserto
nascido torto como um riacho, eu vim para confessar
que você tem me trazido alegria
Quando eu estou apaixonado, estou vivendo por você
mais um pássaro azul morre, mas cantando o blues
E é um tipo bobo de melodia sincera
Mas como você me traz alegria
@teddy2596
I know a lot of people don't like the direction he went with this album, but I thought he took an amazing risk and it really paid off! It's a very whimsical sound. It's not like the 'old' Iron and Wine, but that's okay, because he's not the 'old' Sam Beam. I really, really liked this album :)
@holetoanotheruniverse4690
Deep inside the heart of this troubled man
There's an itty bitty boy tugging hard at your hand
Born bitter as a lemon but you must understand
That you've been bringing me joy
And I'll only lie when you don't want the truth
I'm only frightened cause you finally gave me something to lose
And it's as loud as a thunderclap and you hear it, too
But you've been bringing me joy
[Interlude]
Deep inside the heart of this crazy mess
I'm only calm when I get lost within your wilderness
Born crooked as a creek bed and come to confess
That you've been bringing me joy
When I'm alive I'm living for you
Another blue bird dying but singing the blues
And it's a heartfelt silly sort of bumbling tune
About how you're bringing me joy
@nobody_gtk
one of the most underrated songs & records of all time
@willharris3798
One of the many beautiful songs Sam has written over the years. I picked this for my birthday morning, 2019. Ghost on Ghost is still my favorite album by Iron & Wine. I like to think so far...
@TallPainters
Sam is definitely trying new things. This one has some psychedelic and jazz influences. It really puts you in a trance, it's so beautiful.
@Beruthiel1990
This song couldn't describe me better! Thank you Sam!
@lindajoify
Absolutely the best acoustical vocals and rhyme. Love it.
@jordangagnon2099
This album is absolutely amazing can't wait for the live renditions
@geesealyse
This is awesome. I wasn't the biggest fan of your newer stuff until this. I love this song, and I love this music video. Bravo.
@LeDINOZAVRE
So gorgeous. I am never ever disappointed by Iron and Wine