Born in California to a musical family, when she was one year old her family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado In college in the summer of 1997, Herzig formed the band Newcomers Home with Tim and Laurie Thornton and Andrew Jed. Two years later, Herzig released Weightless. She produced the album herself, recorded it at home using Pro Tools, and played most of the instruments: electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, keyboards, and percussion, in addition to her singing and songwriting. The song "Jack and Jill" appeared on the TV shows One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars, while several others appeared on Grey's Anatomy.
Her next album, Apple Tree (2008), was more pop-oriented. Her 2011 album was entitled The Waking Sleep. She then released Walk Through Walls (2014) and Moment of Bliss (2018).
Herzig has spent years playing festivals such as Bonnaroo and Summerfest and touring as a headliner and as support for Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, The Fray, and as a member of 10 out of Tenn. She has had her music licensed for innumerable film, TV and commercial uses. Including over 10 songs on Grey’s Anatomy and most recently her song “Lost and Found” was featured in the trailer for Disney's Saving Mr. Banks and in a commercial for Carnival Cruises. Herzig can be heard on RAC's EP with their song collaboration "We Belong," featured on KCRW. Herzig also co-produced songs on Ingrid Michaelson's 2014 Lights Out album, including her first single “Girls Chase Boys.”
I Will Follow
Katie Herzig Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doing dishes at the laundry mat
And then you smiled at me
You said lets hide and seek
I’m gonna count to three
Where did you go
One step forward two steps back
You lead me down the garden path
And I will follow
I will follow
I saw you on a downtown street
Eating peaches in an apple tree
You said take my hand
We’ll be a marching band
They’ll love us in Japan
Where did you go?
One step forward two steps back
So funny I forgot to laugh
You lead me down the garden path
And I will follow
I will follow
The lyrics of Katie Herzig's song I Will Follow seem to be a narration of a dream that the singer had. The singer had a dream about someone with whom they seem to have a close relationship. In the dream, they meet the person while doing dishes at the laundry mat, and the person suggests playing hide and seek. The singer agrees, but when the person starts counting, they disappear. This is where the chorus comes in; the singer seems to be confused about the person, who seems to be one step forward and two steps back, and yet the singer will follow them.
Later in the dream, the singer meets the person again, and this time they are eating peaches in an apple tree. The person suggests that the two of them start a marching band, and the singer seems excited by this. However, once again, the person disappears, leaving the singer confused and unsure about what to do next. Thus, the chorus comes in again with the singer being torn between wanting to follow the person despite their confusing behavior.
In summary, Katie Herzig's song I Will Follow talks about a person's confusion and frustration with a close relationship that seems to be filled with contradictions. Through the use of vivid dream imagery, the singer tries to come to terms with their feelings towards the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
You were in a dream I had
In my subconscious, I saw a version of you.
Doing dishes at the laundry mat
In my dream, you were performing mundane tasks, like washing dishes in a public laundry mat.
And then you smiled at me
Despite the dull setting, you brightened up my dream by flashing a smile my way.
You said lets hide and seek
You invited me to play a children's game, implying a sense of carefreeness and playfulness.
I’m gonna count to three
You took on the role of initiator, setting the rules as to how the game is going to be played.
Where did you go
However, you disappeared after counting, leaving me to wonder where you went and why you left me alone.
One step forward two steps back
You were playing with my emotions, giving me hope only to take it away at the next instance.
So funny I forgot to laugh
Your behavior was so confusing that it became borderline absurd, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
You lead me down the garden path
You took me on a journey, promising excitement and fulfilment, but ultimately led me to a dead-end or disappointment.
And I will follow
Despite all of the mixed emotions and false promises, I am still willing to follow you and see where this journey takes us.
I saw you on a downtown street
In another dream or alternate reality, I came across you in a busy, urban setting.
Eating peaches in an apple tree
You were doing something that didn't quite fit in with the surroundings or expectations, adding an element of surprise and almost whimsy.
You said take my hand
You extended an invitation to join you in your spontaneous, unconventional antics.
We’ll be a marching band
Together, we'll create something beautiful and harmonious, even if it's just the two of us.
They’ll love us in Japan
You had grand aspirations for our future together, even imagining international recognition and admiration for what we do.
Where did you go?
Similar to the previous dream, you once again left me alone and longing for an explanation to your disappearance.
And I will follow
Despite being left behind twice and not having my emotions fully reciprocated, I am still willing to stick around and see where this leads.
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.