Doiron started playing guitar (later switching to bass) in Eric's Trip at age 18, having joined the band under the insistence of her then-boyfriend, Rick White, also of Eric's Trip. Shortly before the band's break-up in 1996, she released a solo album under the name Broken Girl, which followed two previous 7" EPs under that name. All of her subsequent material, however, has been released under her own name.
In 1999, Doiron recorded an album with the Ottawa band Wooden Stars, the first time she had worked with a band since the end of Eric's Trip. She was honoured with a Juno Award for Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars in March of 2000. She has also appeared as a guest musician on albums by The Tragically Hip, Gordon Downie and Herman Düne, and has also released a split record co-credited to the alternative country band Okkervil River.
Although most of her solo material has been written and performed in English, she has also released an album of French language material, Désormais.
Apart from her musical career, Doiron is an avid photographer, having published a book of her photographs entitled The Longest Winter with words by Ottawa writer Ian Roy. She often does her own promotional photos and cover artwork along with her husband, painter Jon Claytor.
Spill Yer Lungs
Julie Doiron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you walk with your hand in my back pocket
And I would joke that you would steal my wallet
And you would laugh and you'd say, no I wouldn't
We could spend our hearts all over this town for nothing
Oh, we could spend our hearts all over this town for nothing
After we were tired of moving
And you would know someone in that tavern
Who could maybe tell us of this coming winter
We could spill our wine all over this town for nothing
Oh, we could spill our wine all over this town for nothing
Well, maybe when we thought that it'd become quite easy
I would make a joke that was not funny
But sincerely quite offensive
From the times when I was reckless
We could scream our lungs out in this town for nothing
Oh, we could scream our lungs out in this town for nothing
Well, maybe I should have set my goals much further
Than the likes of northern star which do burn for just one night
Maybe I should have mentioned that
I was not built for this kind of loving
We're gonna chase each other around this town for nothing
Oh, we're gonna chase each other around this town for nothing
The lyrics of "Spill Yer Lungs" by Julie Doiron depict a casual and carefree relationship between two people. They walk together in the town with their hands intertwined- one holding the other's back and the other holding the back pocket. The exchange between them is light-hearted and whimsical, as they joke about stealing wallets and laughingly dismiss the idea. They enjoy the freedom of wandering around aimlessly, stopping for drinks, and chatting with acquaintances, without a care in the world or a plan for the future. They are comfortable enough to talk about the weather and the coming winter, but they also know when to move on and find more excitement. However, their relationship is not without its flaws. At times, one of them might say something offensive or hurtful, and they might need to "scream their lungs out" to make up for it.
The song speaks to the idea of a relationship that exists in the moment without any long-term goals or expectations, but does not deny the occasional missteps and disagreements that may come along the way. It acknowledges the imperfections in human connection and the need to communicate and reconcile those issues. Overall, "Spill Yer Lungs" is a bittersweet reflection on carefree love, the freedom to wander, and the moments of connection and disconnection that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I would walk with a hand at your back
I would support you and be there for you whenever you needed me
And you walk with your hand in my back pocket
You trust me enough to give me access to your belongings, and we are close enough for physical touch
And I would joke that you would steal my wallet
I would make light of the strong bond we share and the trust we have for each other
And you would laugh and you'd say, no I wouldn't
You would play along with my joke and reassure me that our trust is mutual and unbreakable
We could spend our hearts all over this town for nothing
We could give our all to this town and its people without expecting anything in return
We would stop for a drink later
We would take a break and enjoy each other's company over a drink
After we were tired of moving
After we were tired of exploring and experiencing new things
And you would know someone in that tavern
You are well-connected and know many people in this town
Who could maybe tell us of this coming winter
You have knowledge and insight into the future and can help guide our decisions
We could spill our wine all over this town for nothing
We could have fun and let loose without concerning ourselves with material possessions
Well, maybe when we thought that it'd become quite easy
Perhaps we thought that our relationship would be a breeze, but we were mistaken
I would make a joke that was not funny
I might have used humor as a defense mechanism, even if it hurt you
But sincerely quite offensive
My joke might have crossed a line and hurt your feelings, which I regret
From the times when I was reckless
When I was younger, I wasn't as thoughtful and considerate as I am now
We could scream our lungs out in this town for nothing
We could express ourselves and our emotions without fear of judgement, no matter how intense
Well, maybe I should have set my goals much further
Perhaps I should have aimed higher in life and not been content with mediocrity
Than the likes of northern star which do burn for just one night
Rather than aiming for short-term goals, I should have aimed for something that burns brightly and lasts longer
Maybe I should have mentioned that
Perhaps I should have communicated my desires and aspirations more clearly
I was not built for this kind of loving
I am not cut out for a relationship that requires intense emotions and vulnerability
We're gonna chase each other around this town for nothing
We are going to have fun and enjoy each other's company without any ulterior motives or expectations
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.