Her mother is Korean and father is Polish. She grew up in New Jersey, went to Dwight-Englewood high school, and attended Oberlin College, but transferred to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Orzolek has been noted for her sense of fashion. All of her costumes are designed by fashion designer and friend Christian Joy. She is also well known for her outrageous antics during live shows. She is known to often spit water or beer, or sometimes grapes into the crowd. Her on-stage antics have been compared to punk legends like Iggy Pop and Patti Smith. In 2003 at The Metro, Sydney, Australia (prior to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' appearance at the Livid festival), she accidentally danced off the stage at a sideshow and reluctantly had to be taken to hospital - a few days later she appeared at the festival in a wheelchair, pushed by Angus Andrew.
She currently lives in Los Angeles, California, in the Silver Lake neighbourhood.
day go by
Karen O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day break can't wait for the night to fall
Can't sleep I'm wasted, wasted
Can't sleep make it to the dawn
By the way
I really need my fix cause you got me so sick
I know
That I'm burning for you
That I'm burning for you
Don't call the doctor, doctor
God save the doctor, something's wrong
Gonna call the doctor, doctor
Gonna tell him that my pain is gone
Time away
Tearing me apart, I wear it on my heart, I do
Can't sleep, I'm wasted, wasted
Can't stand still, I'm shaking over you
Time away
I really need my fix cause you got me so sick
I know
That I'm burning for you
That I'm burning for you
That I'm burning for you
Don't call the doctor, doctor
God save the doctor, something's wrong
Gonna call the doctor, doctor
Just tell him that my pain is gone
It's gone gone gone gone
Karen O's song "Day Go By" is a poignant story of a protagonist's inability to sleep and her eager anticipation for the nightfall to arrive. In the first verse, she mentions how she is "wasted" and cannot sleep, indicating that she might be struggling with insomnia. As the night goes on, she eagerly awaits the dawn, signalling that perhaps she can finally get some rest. This anticipation, however, stems from the fact that she is burning for someone, as she repeats in the refrain that "she's burning for you." This burning desire seems to be overwhelming her, leading to her inability to rest. As the song progresses, she mentions how something is wrong, but she can't quite place a finger on it. She doesn't ask anyone for help but implies that calling the doctor might be a solution. The song concludes with her declaring that her pain is gone.
Upon closer analysis, the song seems to be an ode to obsession, making it evident that the singer's desire is consuming her, causing her distress. The trembling over the person she's burning for is so intense that it seems to be keeping her up at night. The pain that she struggles with leaves her unable to function, both mentally and physically, leading her to consider calling the doctor.
Line by Line Meaning
Day go by
Time passes by quickly
Day break can't wait for the night to fall
The singer is excited for the day to begin, but also looking forward to the nighttime
Can't sleep I'm wasted, wasted
The singer is unable to sleep due to exhaustion
Can't sleep make it to the dawn
The artist is determined to stay awake until morning
By the way
The artist is changing the subject
I really need my fix cause you got me so sick
The singer is addicted to something or someone and needs their attention
I know
The singer is confident in their feelings
That I'm burning for you
The artist is deeply in love and passionate about someone
Don't call the doctor, doctor
The artist doesn't want medical help
God save the doctor, something's wrong
The artist acknowledges that something is wrong but doesn't want to seek medical attention
Gonna call the doctor, doctor
The singer has changed their mind and is going to get medical help
Gonna tell him that my pain is gone
The artist feels better and no longer needs medical help
Time away
Being separated from someone or something is difficult
Tearing me apart, I wear it on my heart, I do
The singer is emotionally distraught about being apart from someone
Can't stand still, I'm shaking over you
The singer is so consumed by their emotions that they cannot stay still
It's gone gone gone gone
The artist has overcome their pain and is moving on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KAREN LEE ORZOLEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CultRecordsNYC
"Time away
Tearing me apart I wear it on my heart I do
Can’t sleep I’m wasted wasted
Can’t stand still I’m shaking over you"
'Day Go By' by Karen O, taken from 'Crush Songs', out next week on Cult. Counting down!
Vanessa Espino
A lot of the tracks on Crush Songs were released in 2008 for Karen's side project Native Korean Rock. No one else seems to have mentioned that, but you can listen to them all here on YouTube
ueiler
I found a few things about them, do you got some links?
Samuel Smith
Karen O. .one of a kind,and I get the feeling she rarely ,if ever compromised ...long live girl,we need what you do💕
Joaq-Man
Fantastic work as always, Karen. I can't wait to hear the other tracks.
Tim Dreams
it gave me goosebumbs. can't wait for the whole album. I adore you Karen! xxx
Mma Guy
How isn't this girl way more popular?!? She's amazing... find her so unique :)
heydude514
She is already. She's the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Nacho Bru
en seis días sale el disco completo, cuánta felicidá!
Saloni Dahake
I wish I could stop listening to this on repeat.