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.
Yer Kids
Julie Doiron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love you more
Than you know, well you know
Well you treat them
any old way
And they love you just the same
hold on
hold on
So my mother told me
to put on your boots
and go out in the backyard
My mother told me
to look up and down and all around
and to be thankful for all you've got
So hold on
hold on
hold on
to your love
The song Yer Kids by Julie Doiron is essentially about the unconditional love that children have for their parents, regardless of how they are treated. The first verse of the song conveys this message, as it emphasizes that no matter how parents treat their children, they will still love them unconditionally. The second verse then goes on to suggest that despite this, parents should still try to treat their children with love and respect. The final verse, which is a direct reference to the singer's mother, serves to validate this idea by highlighting the importance of appreciating the blessings in one's life.
Overall, the song seems to be suggesting that while parents may sometimes take their children for granted, they should remember that their children love them more than they may realize. It is important to treat them with respect because they are a true blessing in life. The "hold on" refrain that is repeated throughout the song serves as a reminder to hold on to that love and appreciation for children, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Well yer kids
Your kids, whom you have brought into this world
Love you more
They have an immeasurable amount of love for you, a love that goes beyond what you can comprehend
Than you know, well you know
You have a sense of this love, but it is still impossible for you to truly know its extent
Well you treat them
Even if you do not always treat them in the way they deserve, or in the way that you would want to be treated yourself
any old way
In any manner or style you see fit, without considering the effect that your actions may have upon your children
And they love you just the same
Despite this, your children continue to love you unconditionally
So hold on
Retain your love and hold it dear
to your love
The love that you have, not only for your children, but also for all the important things in your life
So my mother told me
With the use of a personal anecdote, the artist is reminding you of when someone who loves and cares about you gives you advice
to put on your boots
In order to go outside, you must put shoes on and prepare
and go out in the backyard
To take a moment to step outside and appreciate the beauty that exists around you
to look up and down and all around
To take a moment to be grateful for all that you have in life, not just your possessions, but the people in your life, the experiences you have had and the memories that you hold dear.
and to be thankful for all you've got
To express gratitude and appreciation for all of the blessings in your life, great and small
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.