The daughter of Philip M. Hatfield (a radiologist) and The Boston Globe fashion critic Julie Hatfield, Hatfield was born in Maine and grew up in the Boston suburb of Duxbury. She acquired a love of rock music during the 1970s, having been introduced by a babysitter to the music of the seminal Los Angeles punk rock band X, which proved a life-changing experience. She was also attracted to the music of more mainstream artists like Olivia Newton-John and The Police, perhaps explaining the dialectic in her later music between sweet, melodic "pop" songs and more hard rock oriented material. Visualizing herself as a singer since her high school years, Hatfield sang in school choirs and briefly played in a cover band called The Squids, which played Queen and Rush songs.
Hatfield began her solo career following the Blake Babies' breakup in 1991, releasing her first solo album Hey Babe in 1992. The album was one of the highest selling independent albums of 1992. Hatfield recruited a rhythm section comprised of former Moving Targets and Bullet LaVolta drummer Todd Phillips, and Thudpucker bassist Dean Fisher, and thus becoming The Juliana Hatfield Three.
Hatfield achieved alterna-rock stardom with the release of 1993's Become What You Are (recorded under the group name The Juliana Hatfield Three). Several songs from the album received regular airplay on major North American rock stations, with Hatfield's song "My Sister" becoming the biggest hit of her career with the video becoming an MTV staple. Another one of her songs ("Spin the Bottle") was used in the soundtrack of the Hollywood film Reality Bites (1994). Hatfield also made the cover of Spin magazine. Hatfield's popularity coincided with the success, in the mid-1990s, of many other female musicians (such as Liz Phair, PJ Harvey, Belly, Letters to Cleo, Velocity Girl, The Breeders, Hole, Veruca Salt, Poe, Throwing Muses, Magnapop, Bettie Serveert). Although she has always maintained that her gender is of only incidental importance to her music, Hatfield was pleased to have been invited, in 1997, to tour with the first Lilith Fair, a prominent all-female rock festival founded by singer Sarah McLachlan. Hatfield was profiled in a number of girls' magazines at this time and was embraced by many pre-teen and teenage girls as a role model due to the positive way she addressed serious issues faced by young women in her songs and interviews. About this period she says: "I was never comfortable with the attention. I thought it had come too soon. I hadn’t earned it yet." She gained notoriety in 1992 for saying that she was still a virgin in her mid-twenties in Interview magazine. In a 1994 interview for the magazine Vox she said she was surprised by the effect 'outing' herself had: "I think there are a lot of people out there who don't care about sex, but who you never hear from, so I thought I should say it. The magazine I did the interview for is full of beef-cake hunky guys and scantily-clad models, so I thought it would be really funny to say that I didn't care about sex in a magazine that's full of sex and beauty - but no one really got the joke."
In 1995, following the success of Become What You Are she released her followup album, Only Everything, in which she "turned up the volume and the distortion and had a lot of fun". One reviewer describes it as "a fun, engaging pop album". The album spawned another alternative radio hit for Hatfield in Universal Heart-Beat. The video featured Hatfield as an overly demanding aerobics instructor. Prior to the tour for 'Only Everything', Hatfield released Phillips and brought on Jason Sutter (American Hi-Fi, Chris Cornell, Jack Drag), as well as Ed Slanker (Thudpucker, Tinsel) on 2nd guitar, and Lisa Mednick on keyboards. Two weeks into the tour, Hatfield canceled the tour citing exhaustion, and took a month long break. Sutter was replaced by once again drummer Phillips, and touring resumed with Jeff Buckley as the opening act.
In 1996 she traveled to Woodstock, New York where she recorded tracks for God's Foot, which was to be her fourth solo album (third if not counting Become What You Are, which was recorded with the Juliana Hatfield Three), intended for 1997 release. Containing some of Hatfield's finest work to date, the album was unfortunately put on indefinite hold by her record company due to a disagreement with Hatfield. Only substandard bootleg versions of these songs (which do not meet Hatfield's approval) have surfaced and she has rarely featured them in her subsequent live performances.
During this time Hatfield left Atlantic Records and ventured back into indie-world. She recorded a six song EP titled Please Do Not Disturb, along with Todd Phillips and Ed Slanker, and with new bass player Mikey Welsh (Weezer). The EP produced by Hatfield features a tender song "Trying Not To Think About It" which is a tribute to the deceased musician Jeff Buckley who was a friend of Hatfield's. The EP was released on Bar/None Records in 1997.
Following the traumatic experiences surrounding God's Foot and her departure from Atlantic Records, Hatfield recorded the album Bed in 1998 in six days, about which she says on her website: "It sounds as raw as I felt. It has no pretty sheen. The mistakes and unattractive parts were left in, not erased. Just like my career. Just like life."
In 2000, she released Beautiful Creature, an album which was among the most critically well-received of her career. This album left the rockier side of Hatfield's musical personality unexpressed, however, so at the same time she also recorded Juliana's Pony: Total System Failure with Zephan Courtney and Mikey Welsh, which she describes as "a loud release of tension", with "lots of long sloppy guitar solos. And no love songs...a not-at-all attractive reaction to the ugly side of humanity, specifically American culture" The two albums were initially released in a set as a pair. Juliana's Pony: Total System Failure was however received very badly by the critics, who much preferred the acoustic songwriting on Beautiful Creature. On Beautiful Creature Hatfield worked with Austin-based musician Davíd Garza who co-produced much of the album. Wally Gagel a producer for Sebadoh and Tanya Donelly helped Hatfield record her most electronica influenced songs "Cool Rock Boy" and "Don't Rush Me" which added texture to the otherwise acoustic album.
2002 saw the release of Hatfield's first "best-of" album. The album, titled Gold Stars 1992-2002: The Juliana Hatfield Collection, featured the singles from her solo albums. It also contained two of the songs from the previously unreleased God's Foot, a cover of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart, as well as four new recordings.
In 2004 Hatfield released In Exile Deo, which was arguably an attempt at a more commercial sound, with input from producers and engineers who'd worked with Pink and Avril Lavigne. Hatfield did however produce the album herself with David Leanord receiving co-production credits on "Jamie's In Town" and the bright rocker "Sunshine'. The critics loved it, with a couple calling it her best work since the start of her solo career.
By contrast, the 2005 album Made in China was released on her own new record label, Ye Olde Records, and has a much rawer feel. John Doe of the band X described the disc as "A frighteningly dark & beautiful record filled w/ stark, angular, truly brutal songs & guitars. This is surely a 'Woman Under the Influence', though I'm not sure of what". Reviews were very mixed, with some liking the lo-fi sound, but others seeing it as slackness.
In December 2005 Hatfield toured the United States with the band X, whom she idolized during her teenage years.
In 2006, Hatfield released her first live album. Titled The White Broken Line: Live Recordings, the album featured performances from her tour with X. This was Hatfield's third release for her record label.
Hatfield's 9th studio album, How To Walk Away was released on August 19, 2008 on Ye Olde Records. The album's heartfelt subject on the break-up of a relationship resonated with critics, who gave the album largely positive reviews, with some hailing it as her best album since In Exile Deo.
On September 29, 2008 it was followed by her memoir, When I Grow Up.
Hatfield returned 2 years later as her 10th studio album Peace & Love was released on Ye Olde Records, February 16, 2010. The album's composition, arrangement, performance, production, engineering and mixing was solely credited to Hatfield.
There's Always Another Girl was released on August 30, 2011 again independently on her Ye Olde Records label.
In 2013, she joined with Matthew Caws (of Nada Surf) to form the duo Minor Alps.
In 2014, The Juliana Hatfield Three reunited two decades after it disbanded. Hatfield, drummer Todd Philips, and bassist Dean Fisher began practicing new material for an album, which would be their first together since Become What You Are in 1993.
In 2015, Hatfield and American musician Paul Westerberg formed the duo The I Don't Cares.
http://www.julianahatfield.com/
Needle In The Hay
Juliana Hatfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hay stack charm around your neck
Strung out and thin
Calling out some friend
Trying to cash some check
He's acting dumb
That's what you've come to expect
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
He's wearing your clothes
Head down to toes
A reaction to you
You say you know what he did
But you idiot kid
You don't have a clue
Sometimes they just get caught in the eye
You're pulling him through
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Now on the bus, nearly touching this dirty retreat
Falling out, sixth and Powell or a dead sweat in my teeth
Gonna walk, walk, walk
Four more blocks plus the one in my brain
Down downstairs to the man
He's gonna make it all okay
I can't be myself
I can't be myself
And I don't want to talk
I'm taking the cure
So I can be quiet whenever I want
So leave me alone
You oughta be proud that I'm getting good marks
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
The lyrics to Juliana Hatfield's song "Needle in the Hay" depict a relationship going sour. The singer watches as the person they care about spirals out of control with drugs or alcohol. The opening lines describe the person's attempt to seem composed while they're strung out and thin, grasping for any connection or transaction that might make them feel better. The singer recognizes the pattern of their behavior, but is still hurt and disappointed by it. The image of the haystack and charm around their neck suggests both the person's rural roots and a desire to have something to hold onto in difficult times.
The second verse focuses more directly on the singer's relationship with the person. They describe how this person sometimes wears their clothes, which could suggest intimacy and shared experience, but also hints at a loss of identity or a kind of parasitic behavior. The singer mentions that they "know what he did," but also implies that they themselves are "an idiot kid" who doesn't really understand the person's situation. In the chorus, the imagery of the needle in the hay suggests the search for something elusive and dangerous hidden among the mundane.
The final verse takes on a more personal tone, as the singer reveals their own struggles with addiction or mental health. They describe a desire to be quiet and alone, unable to be themselves and seeking a cure. The repetition of the chorus turns the search for the needle in the hay back onto themselves, suggesting a loneliness and confusion that's difficult to articulate.
Line by Line Meaning
Your hand on his arm
You have physically interacted with this guy and are emotionally invested in him
Hay stack charm around your neck
You are wearing something that resembles hay, which could signify your rural upbringing or possibly your affinity for this person
Strung out and thin
You are exhausted and worn out, likely due to emotional or physical strain caused by the situation or the person mentioned in the previous lines
Calling out some friend
You are seeking support or guidance, likely from a mutual friend or someone who knows the situation intimately
Trying to cash some check
You are hoping to get some validation or payment, perhaps for your efforts to make things work with this guy
He's acting dumb
The guy you are interested in is not reciprocating your feelings or acting indifferent towards your advances
That's what you've come to expect
You have become accustomed to his behavior and are resigned to the fact that he may never feel the same way about you
Needle in the hay
You are searching for something elusive or hard to find, similar to looking for a needle in a haystack
He's wearing your clothes
The guy you have feelings for is physically taking something from you, perhaps your identity or your virginity
Head down to toes
He is taking everything from you, top to bottom, leaving you feeling depleted and powerless
A reaction to you
He is responding to your advances or playing off of your emotions, but not necessarily returning them
You say you know what he did
You think you understand his actions or intentions, but you may be misinterpreting them
But you idiot kid
You are young and inexperienced, which may be causing you to over-think or misconstrue the situation
You don't have a clue
You are unaware of what is really happening or how it will affect you
Sometimes they just get caught in the eye
People get blindsided or trapped by their own emotions or desires, which can lead to confusion and disappointment
You're pulling him through
Despite your reservations, you are still hoping to make a connection with this guy and bring him closer to you
Now on the bus, nearly touching this dirty retreat
You are in a grimy, unpleasant situation that you can barely tolerate, and you are surrounded by people who may not understand or care about what you are going through
Falling out, sixth and Powell or a dead sweat in my teeth
You are anxious or fearful about what might happen next, and this fear is manifesting physically in your body
Gonna walk, walk, walk
You are trying to keep moving forward, even if it means walking away from this situation or this person
Four more blocks plus the one in my brain
You are trying to distance yourself from this problem, both physically and mentally
Down downstairs to the man
You are seeking help or guidance from an authority figure or someone who can provide you with comfort and safety
He's gonna make it all okay
You are placing your faith in someone else to solve your problems and make things better
I can't be myself
You are feeling trapped or stifled, unable to express your true identity or desires
And I don't want to talk
You are shutting down emotionally and refusing to communicate your needs or feelings to others
I'm taking the cure
You are seeking some kind of relief or escape from your pain, possibly through medication or other means
So I can be quiet whenever I want
You are trying to gain control over your emotions and your surroundings, so that you can feel safe and secure
So leave me alone
You are asking others to respect your boundaries and give you space to deal with your problems on your own
You oughta be proud that I'm getting good marks
You are seeking validation or recognition for your accomplishments, possibly as a way to distract from your emotional pain
Needle in the hay
You are still searching for something that is hard to find, possibly love, acceptance, or inner peace, but you may not know exactly what it is or where to find it
Writer(s): Steven P. Smith
Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
0zpike
Your hand on his arm
Hay stack charm around your neck
Strung out and thin
Calling out some friend
Trying to cash some check
He's acting dumb
That's what you've come to expect
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
He's wearing your clothes
Head down to toes
A reaction to you
You say you know what he did
But you idiot kid
You don't have a clue
Sometimes they just get caught in the eye
You're pulling him through
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Now on the bus, nearly touching this dirty retreat
Falling out, sixth and Powell or a dead sweat in my teeth
Gonna walk, walk, walk
Four more blocks plus the one in my brain
Down downstairs to the man
He's gonna make it all okay
I can't be myself
I can't be myself
And I don't want to talk
I'm taking the cure
So I can be quiet whenever I want
So leave me alone
You oughta be proud that I'm getting good marks
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
geor67
I love Elliott Smith's original, but Juliana Hatfield's version is just as amazing! I love both versions here! Both Elliott and Juliana are awesome musicians!
Baddie 1 Shoe
geor67 agreed
dbadagna
Whose version was used in the Wes Anderson film?
Rob Ing
@dbadagna The original
Ed Helvey
@dbadagna Elliott's and he didn't like the scene in which it was used (Richie's suicide attempt).
Ian Zulick
She does a very good version of this song, and the synth is actually a nice touch. As a musician myself, it's absolutely criminal how few people have never even heard of Elliott Smith.
David
Ian Zulick No, it's absolutely criminal that people have not heard of Leibniz.
Bhas Davis
Ian Zulick Thank you so much. I agree
Perfectoid
@David is he the mathematician or is he a singer?
Lazar Janic
@Perfectoid philosopher primarily