After spending a week in a coma, Smith left the hospital to begin the arduous tasks of regaining her memory, rehabilitating her pianist hand, and rebuilding her life. A year later, Juniper Lane reconnected to explore the possibility of their own recovery and found that the drive and dynamic they once possessed was unchanged. It soon became apparent that instead of picking up where they left off, Juniper Lane was back as an even more inspired and motivated version of themselves.
Juniper Lane has mastered that which eludes so many musical acts: the ability to produce a diverse range of well-crafted songs while putting forth an unmistakably signature sound. With the recent national commercial success of bands that straddle the line between indie and mainstream rock (Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol), it seems the music industry has finally caught up to Juniper Lane.
Upon returning to the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore music scenes, the band's impressive live show was met with sold-out crowds and fans soon started clamoring for a new album. The band's latest project is the record Wake From Yourself, throughout which Smith delves into the complications of rediscovering one's direction when faced with life-altering experiences: whether they be falling in love, breaking away from a painful past, or even coming out of a coma. Wake From Yourself is clearly the work of an enormously talented quartet.
The band added a fifth member (John Athayde) in June of 2008, and then opened for Coldplay at the Verizon Center in Washington DC on August 3, 2008. They are currently working on a new album with Ted Comerford and four of the songs have been mixed by Michael Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer, Mute Math). Will Champion of Coldplay recommended the band to Michael (http://twitter.com/mhb850/status/1226881936).
Juniper Lane has toured extensively on the East Coast, including shows at colleges, clubs, and venues such as the 9:30 Club, Recher Theatre, and DC's 99.1 WHFStival, as well as performing in-studio for commercial radio and on live television. The band's incredible song-writing has afforded them the opportunity to work with such industry professionals as producer Ted Comerford (Zox, Army of Me), Joe Zook (Remy Zero, Liz Phair, Anna Nalick), Paul David Hager (American Hi-Fi, Hoobastank, Tracey Bonham), and Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Wilco, Suzanne Vega).
Take Me Home
Juniper Lane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems the fault was mine
All the growing up
Took me too much time
Everything I'd seen
Left me like a child
Trying to forge ahead,
Take me home
I have nothing left to say
I'm at a loss
But you keep listening anyway
It seems our luck may change
I feel it comin' round
So push the doubt aside
And don't let you look down
Can you trust me now
I accept the blame
And I can pin it here
Right next to the shame
Take me home
I have nothing left to say
I'm at a loss
But you keep listening anyway
Take these words
They mean even less today
I'm all worn out
Can you forgive me anyway
I'm tired of climbing out
From the hole we're in
Can we hold on here
Don't let's slip back in
I think the worst has passed
Though we cannot know
Still we both are here
And it's better than alone
The lyrics of Juniper Lane's song Take Me Home appear to describe the singer's reflection on their past and how it has led them to a point of exhaustion and humility. The opening lines suggest that the singer takes responsibility for something that they feel is their fault. It could be interpreted that the singer has taken longer than expected to mature, and as a result is struggling with something they wish they would have outgrown by now. It's as though the singer recognizes they've been naive or foolish, and it's led them to where they are now. The expression of this sentiment with the lines, "All the growing up, took me too much time," seems to imply the singer's acknowledgement of their lack of emotional maturity in certain moments and situations.
Moving further into the song, the chorus creates a sense of desperation to return home. It's unclear what exactly "home" represents to the singer, but it's possible that it symbolizes a childhood or a simpler, more manageable time in their life. The lyrics, "I'm at a loss, but you keep listening anyway," suggest the singer's appreciation for the listener's patience and willingness to support them despite their shortcomings. The bridge of the song is especially poignant, as the singer seems to be begging their listener for forgiveness, pleading, "Can you forgive me anyway?"
Overall, the lyrics of Take Me Home are a vulnerable exploration of the singer's shortcomings, and their desires to return to—or perhaps rediscover—a sense of comfort and safety in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I will spell it out
I will clearly explain everything
It seems the fault was mine
I take responsibility for what went wrong
All the growing up
Maturing and understanding the world
Took me too much time
It has taken too long for me to grow up
Everything I'd seen
All that I had experienced
Left me like a child
It made me feel naive and immature
Trying to forge ahead,
Moving forward despite the challenges
slipping all the while
Facing setbacks and difficulties along the way
Take me home
Bring me back to where I feel safe and comfortable
I have nothing left to say
I have expressed everything I need to
I'm at a loss
I am feeling confused and unsure
But you keep listening anyway
Despite my struggles, you still support and care for me
It seems our luck may change
We may have a turn of fortune soon
I feel it comin' round
I sense a positive shift in our future
So push the doubt aside
Do not let uncertainty hold you back
And don't let you look down
Do not lose hope
Can you trust me now
Can you believe in me after my mistakes?
I accept the blame
I admit my fault in the situation
And I can pin it here
I can acknowledge it here
Right next to the shame
Reconciling alongside the guilt and humiliation
Take these words
Accept my apology
They mean even less today
My words are useless, more is shown through actions
I'm all worn out
I am exhausted and drained
Can you forgive me anyway
Do you still have compassion for me?
I'm tired of climbing out
I am fatigued from trying to overcome our issues
From the hole we're in
From the difficult situation we are currently in
Can we hold on here
Can we endure and persevere?
Don't let's slip back in
Let's not fall back into our bad habits and mistakes
I think the worst has passed
The most difficult times are behind us
Though we cannot know
Even though we cannot be certain
Still we both are here
We are both present now, together
And it's better than alone
Being together in hard times is better than going through them alone
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wintrail
They actually sound pretty good live.
RanMouri82
Congrats to Juniper Lane!!! This song is gorgeous, and will be great paired with Coldplay. ^^
Tris Mamone
Over 20 years ago, I saw them on a local music TV show (I think it was called Megahertz? Alan Scott and Gina Crash were the hosts) and was like, "Hey, they're cool!" Then I forgot about them until a few days ago. Turns out they're still together!
dgritsko
this song is pretty tight
Josh Jarvis
Hope this band opens for Coldplay at Verizon Center.
sergio lopez
hey, i love this song!!!i finally found it,but can u put a download link or something pliS????
Rebel Girlk
Wow con esta canción jugaba Jamlegend
Josh Jarvis
Good song they did well in DC tonight and the chick is so hot.
partdeuxmeg
Actually, that Backwards video is from the same Mhz show that this version of Take Me Home is from. I know "outofrange333" posted a video of Backwards at Coldplay though.
Code Breaker
coldplay ? its not that often that an opening band is better than the headlind but this may be 1 juniper lane blows coldplay away