In 2006 Isobel released a collaborative LP (Ballad of the Broken Seas) with former Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age singer Mark Lanegan, a mixture of folk and more rock-orientated music. October 2006 also saw the release of her latest album, Milkwhite Sheets, a more acoustic folk album, consisting of a mixture of traditional songs alonside Isobel's own compositions.
Isobel's band The Gentle Waves released its first album on Jeepster Records, titled The Green Fields of Foreverland, in 1999. The second Gentle Waves record, Swansong For You came out one year later. In 2002, she collaborated with Scottish jazz musician Bill Wells on a collection of Billie Holliday songs, released by Creeping Bent.
In 2003 Campbell released Amorino, the first solo album under her own name, to very good reviews. Bill Wells was featured here again, along with other jazz musicians.
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan form a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They have released three albums so far: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. And finally their third album Hawk was released in August 2010.
Saturday’s Gone
Isobel Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be alright to look her up
The faded priestess of the highways and crutch
Calling when you're down on luck
By the disused railroad road station you go
To the house of dirty pearl
Her existential situation you know
She is not like other girls
She may ask you, "Do you believe?"
You can't stay, though you'll never leave
See the sapphire in the skylines so blue
See the diamond in the dirt
When you think the subject won't turn to you
She got demons up her skirt
Isn't sure of her reflection at all
Is seduced by all things past
A pleasure-seeker of dejection
Gazing into her looking glass
She may ask you what you believe
But the mirror doesn't see me
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
She may ask you, "Do you believe?"
You can't stay, though you'll never leave
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone
Now a sundown comes, a new day for her
Tired of dress and ??
You'd be a fool to ask her to lift you up
Why go up when we go down?
You should tire of ties that bind you
Film of fever leaves so fast
You've got trouble far behind you
Well knows nothings' made to last
See how God hears a lion roar
Watch the serpent crossing the floor
Saturday's gone
Saturday's gone...
The song "Saturday's Gone" by Isobel Campbell is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that speaks of a mysterious woman who is unlike any other. The lyrics suggest that this woman is a traveler and has seen many cities and roads in her journey. The line "faded priestess of the highways and crutch" describes her as a spiritual guide of sorts, one who helps those who are down on their luck. The imagery of the "disused railroad road station" and the "house of dirty pearl" suggest that she is someone who resides in the outskirts of society, living a life that is unconventional.
The second verse describes this woman's inner turmoil and her struggle with self-acceptance. She is "not sure of her reflection at all" and is "seduced by all things past". The line "pleasure-seeker of dejection" suggests that she is drawn to the darker, more melancholic aspects of life. The song also draws parallels between gems and the woman's character, with the lines "see the sapphire in the skylines so blue, see the diamond in the dirt". The chorus "Saturday's Gone" is repeated throughout the song, perhaps suggesting that the woman's time has passed, and that she is on the brink of fading away.
Line by Line Meaning
If we're good (???) for dusty highways and such
If we're prepared for the tough journey ahead
Be alright to look her up
It's okay to visit her
The faded priestess of the highways and crutch
She's a former symbol of spirituality and support on the roads
Calling when you're down on luck
She's available to help when you're feeling down
By the disused railroad road station you go
You travel to a neglected train station
To the house of dirty pearl
You go to her house which has some flaws
Her existential situation you know
You understand her position in life
She is not like other girls
She's unique compared to other women
She may ask you, "Do you believe?"
She might question your beliefs
You can't stay, though you'll never leave
You can't permanently stay with her, but you'll always remember her
See the sapphire in the skylines so blue
You see the blue skies and the beauty in them
See the diamond in the dirt
You see the beauty in unexpected places
When you think the subject won't turn to you
When you feel that it's not about you
She got demons up her skirt
She has some inner demons and issues
Isn't sure of her reflection at all
She is not certain of her own self-image
Is seduced by all things past
She's drawn to her history and the past
A pleasure-seeker of dejection
She seeks pleasure in negative emotions
Gazing into her looking glass
She's looking into the mirror
But the mirror doesn't see me
She feels like she's invisible to the mirror
Saturday's gone
Saturday has passed
Now a sundown comes, a new day for her
A new day comes with the sunset for her
Tired of dress and ??
She's tired of her current situation and wants change
You'd be a fool to ask her to lift you up
It would be unwise to ask her for help
Why go up when we go down?
Why bother going up when we can fall instead?
You should tire of ties that bind you
You need to get rid of anything holding you back
Film of fever leaves so fast
The influence of the past fades quickly
You've got trouble far behind you
You have problems in the past that you've left behind
Well knows nothings' made to last
Everything is temporary
See how God hears a lion roar
You see how God responds to nature's sounds
Watch the serpent crossing the floor
You observe a dangerous situation on the ground
Saturday's gone
Saturday has passed
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.