After recording and self-releasing two EPs in 2002, Newsom was signed to the independent label Drag City. Her debut album, The Milk-Eyed Mender, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and garnered Newsom an underground following. She would receive wider exposure with the release of Ys (2006), which charted at number 134 on the Billboard 200.
She released two further albums: Have One on Me (2010) and Divers (2015), the latter of which outsold all of her previous albums. Newsom has been noted by critics for her unique musical style, sometimes characterized as psychedelic folk, and for her prominent use of harp instrumentation. She has also appeared as an actress with roles in the television series Portlandia and in the 2014 film Inherent Vice.
The Things I Say
Joanna Newsom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm ashamed of half the things I say
I'm ashamed to have turned out this way
And I desire to make amends
But it don't make no difference, now
And no one's listening, anyhow
And lists of sins and solemn vows
There's an old trick played
When the light and the wine conspire
To make me think I'm fine
I'm not, but I have got half a mind
To maybe get there, yet
When the sky goes pink in Paris, France
Do you think of the girl who used to dance
When you'd frame her moving within your hands
Saying "this I won't forget"?
What happened to the man you were
When you loved somebody before her?
Did he die? Or does that man endure, somewhere far away?
Our lives come easy and our lives come hard
And we carry them like a pack of cards
Some we don't use, but we don't discard
But keep for a rainy day
In the first verse, the songwriter expresses a deep sense of regret and shame for the words they have spoken. They admit to being disappointed in themselves and wishing to make amends for their behavior and words. However, they feel that it does not matter anymore and that no one is really paying attention or listening to them. They understand that making a list of their wrongdoings and making promises to change their ways does not necessarily lead to gaining friends or support.
The second verse delves into the internal struggle the songwriter faces when trying to deceive themselves into thinking that everything is alright. They describe a trick played by the combination of light and wine, creating an illusion that they are fine, even though they know deep down they are not. Nevertheless, they remain hopeful and have a partial determination to potentially reach a better state of mind and well-being.
Moving on to the third verse, the songwriter refers to the city of Paris in France and asks if someone thinks of a girl they used to dance with when the sky turns pink. This suggests a nostalgic longing for a past relationship or moment, and the songwriter wonders if the person still holds memories of that particular experience. They also inquire about the person they used to be before that relationship, questioning if that version of themselves still exists or if they have undergone a significant change or loss.
The final verse speaks to the ups and downs of life. The songwriter acknowledges that life can be both easy and challenging, comparing it to a pack of cards, some of which are never used but still kept for a rainy day. This implies that even though certain experiences or situations may not be immediately relevant or useful, they are still stored and carried along, potentially for future use or reflection. It emphasizes that our lives are a collection of experiences, both positive and negative, that shape us as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
If I have the space of half a day
When I have a moment to reflect
I'm ashamed of half the things I say
I regret much of what I say
I'm ashamed to have turned out this way
I feel disappointed in the person I've become
And I desire to make amends
I long to apologize and make things right
But it don't make no difference, now
Unfortunately, it won't change anything at this point
And no one's listening, anyhow
Nobody is paying attention or cares
And lists of sins and solemn vows
Compilations of wrongs and promises
Don't make ya any friends
Won't help you gain any companions
There's an old trick played
A familiar deception takes place
When the light and the wine conspire
When the ambiance and alcohol collaborate
To make me think I'm fine
To delude me into believing I am well
I'm not, but I have got half a mind
I am aware of my limited mental stability
To maybe get there, yet
To possibly achieve emotional stability eventually
When the sky goes pink in Paris, France
In moments of beauty in distant places
Do you think of the girl who used to dance
Do you remember the girl who danced before
When you'd frame her moving within your hands
When you held her gracefully in your hands
Saying 'this I won't forget'?
Declaring to remember such moments forever
What happened to the man you were
How has the person you once were changed
When you loved somebody before her?
When you were in love with someone else
Did he die? Or does that man endure, somewhere far away?
Did that version of yourself perish? Or does he exist in a distant place?
Our lives come easy and our lives come hard
Life can be both smooth and challenging
And we carry them like a pack of cards
We bear them like a deck of cards in our hands
Some we don't use, but we don't discard
Some experiences remain unused, yet not forgotten
But keep for a rainy day
To save them for when we might need them in the future
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joanna Newsom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind