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).
Tightrope
Juniper Lane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no wires to hold me to the rope.
I see it's up to me to walk the line,
to balance on my only hope that
you will meet me on the other side,
you will bring me to the platform,
you'll reach out to grip me in your hands,
you won't let me trip or waver.
I will balance. I will walk the line.
I will tow my debt across now,
I will toe the life line,
I will tow my weight across now
Just hold on.
You'll meet me across the line if I,
I can bear the weight of my debt
pressing down against my chest.
Can I ever show my gratitude?
I will stand here under pressure,
I'll surrender my safety net,
I will walk the line now with
nothing but a pole in my hands.
Don't give up before I get there,
don't climb down before I start to walk,
I'm about to take a step,
to feel the wire between my toes.
One more step before I reach you,
one more step before your arms
reach out to guide my landing,
to pull me patiently to safety.
The song "Tightrope" by Juniper Lane explores the theme of taking risks and trusting someone to support you. The lyrics paint a picture of someone walking on a tightrope, without any safety equipment, hoping that the person on the other side will be there to catch them if they fall. The first verse describes the feeling of being on the tightrope, with nothing to hold onto except the hope that the other person will be there to help. The second verse talks about the weight of responsibility on the person walking the tightrope, and the fear of not being able to handle it. The final verse talks about taking that first step, and trusting that the other person will be there to help.
The song is full of metaphors, with the tightrope representing a difficult situation or challenge that someone is facing. The idea of walking on a tightrope without any safety equipment represents the risk that the person is taking. The other person on the other side represents a source of support and guidance. Overall, the song encourages listeners to take risks and trust in others, even when things seem daunting.
Line by Line Meaning
On my line with no more belt,
Without any safety equipment, I am on the tightrope.
no wires to hold me to the rope.
There are no wires to secure me on the rope.
I see it's up to me to walk the line,
It is my responsibility to walk the tightrope.
to balance on my only hope that
My hope is my only support in balancing on the tightrope.
you will meet me on the other side,
I hope that you will be waiting for me on the other end of the tightrope.
you will bring me to the platform,
I hope that you will help me reach the platform at the end of the tightrope.
you'll reach out to grip me in your hands,
I hope that you will be there to catch me if I fall.
you won't let me trip or waver.
I trust that you won't let me fall or lose my balance.
I will balance. I will walk the line.
I am determined to balance and cross the tightrope.
I will tow my debt across now,
I will carry my burden of debt across the tightrope.
I will toe the life line,
I will carefully step on the tightrope and keep my balance.
I will tow my weight across now
I will bear the weight of my responsibility and cross the tightrope.
Just hold on.
Please be there to support me and help me cross the tightrope.
You'll meet me across the line if I,
I hope that you will be waiting for me on the other end of the tightrope if I successfully cross it.
I can bear the weight of my debt
I can handle the burden of my debt and responsibility.
pressing down against my chest.
My debt is weighing heavily on me.
Can I ever show my gratitude?
Will I ever be able to show my appreciation for your support?
I will stand here under pressure,
I will keep my composure and stay strong even under pressure.
I'll surrender my safety net,
I am willing to take risks and let go of my safety net.
I will walk the line now with
I am going to cross the tightrope with
nothing but a pole in my hands.
only a pole to help me balance.
Don't give up before I get there,
Please don't lose hope in me before I successfully cross the tightrope.
don't climb down before I start to walk,
Please don't abandon me before I start crossing the tightrope.
I'm about to take a step,
I am about to make a move towards crossing the tightrope.
to feel the wire between my toes.
I am going to step onto the tightrope and feel its tension.
One more step before I reach you,
I am getting closer to you with every step I take.
one more step before your arms
I am almost within reach of your arms.
reach out to guide my landing,
Please be there to help me land safely on the other side of the tightrope.
to pull me patiently to safety.
Please be patient with me and help me reach safety on the other side of the tightrope.
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.