Dawson became well known as a member of The Moldy Peaches. Since the Moldy Peaches took a break from performing and recording in 2004, Dawson has released a string of lo-fi homemade albums, and toured widely in North America and Europe.
In 2005 the Pharmacy and Matty Pop Chart performed as her backing band on a U.S. tour. In 2006 she collaborated with a number of friends to make a group, Antsy Pants, that recorded and released an album on Plan It X Records.
Dawson's songs are featured in the films The Guatemalan Handshake and Glue, both of which were shown at the Olympia Film Festival in November 2007. There is also some of her music in the cult movie Juno, which is the fastest selling film soundtrack since Saturday Night Fever.
Kimya's "kid's album" Alphabutt was released in 2007, and recording for her new album "Thunder Thighs" is wrapping up as of Fall 2010. The mean time she has spent writing and touring, as well as spending time with her family and singing with the Olympia Free Choir.
Caving In
Kimya Dawson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause he wants to see you smile, have a good time, be inspired
And he doesn't want for you to cry or know he cries inside
So he hides behind his great triumphant rock and roll disguise
We want things to be real but you really can't deny
We feel excited and on fire is it wrong to lie and say he's fine
When the reason he's not fine is the pressure of the power changing lives
And just for an hour all these people will be better people
take this job and shove it, adios I'm a ghost
I am leaving for the coast and I'll never work for anyone again
I am not your savior or your heavenly host
I'm just a piece of zwieback toast
Getting soggy in a baby's achin' mouth
I'm going south like the geese
I just goosed you and so maybe I seem loose to you
But I don't even want to screw
And I did once
But I don't now
Now that I see how you do things
The way you play and sing's amazing
But the way you play the game is crazy
You don't have to say you're sorry you don't owe me anything
Don't owe me anything
sometimes it seems like I've got all the answers
But the answers aren't the same when the questions keep on changing
Like how will I react when I see my mother crying
Every single day 'cause she is afraid of dying?
And how will I contain my anger
When Delila plays Unchained Melody instead of Lost In Your Eyes?
And where will I go where I can feel safe
When my family sells its place and we all split up and move away?
I'm trying to be brave 'cause when I'm brave
Other people feel brave
But I feel like my heart is caving in
I'm trying to be brave 'cause when I'm brave
Other people feel brave
But I feel like my heart is caving in
I'm trying to be brave 'cause when I'm brave
Other people feel brave
But I feel like my heart is caving in
The first verse of Kimya Dawson's "Caving In" explores the complex emotions of a rocker who wants to be honest with himself and his fans, yet also doesn't want to let anyone down. The rocker described in the song is someone who is usually the life of the party, someone who is inspiring and brings joy to others. However, behind the "great triumphant rock and roll disguise," he is hurting and hiding his true emotions from everyone. He feels pressure from the power he has to change people's lives through his music, but also feels like he can't show his vulnerability. The verse asks the listener whether it is wrong to lie and pretend everything is fine when it's not, simply to make others feel better. The verse highlights that often, people put on a brave face even when their heart is "caving in," and that it takes courage to open up and be honest about not feeling okay.
The second verse in "Caving In" touches on the idea of running away from problems, responsibilities, and even reality. The singer voices her frustration with the 9-5 work culture, and expresses a desire to escape it and become a "ghost." She emphasizes that she does not consider herself a savior or a heavenly host, but rather a "piece of zwieback toast" - something simple and unimportant. She then goes on to talk about how she's seen behind the curtain of the music industry, and recognizes that while the music itself is amazing, the way it's marketed and sold is often unethical. This realization has changed her priorities, and she no longer wants to be a part of the system. Finally, the verse touches on the idea of changing priorities and relationships, how it can be challenging to adapt to new situations and new places, especially when they upset one's sense of safety and comfort.
Overall, "Caving In" is a song about the challenges of being honest with oneself and others, and the complexities of managing expectations, pressure, relationships, and changing circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever been swindled by a swindler who lies
Has anyone ever told you lies and tricked you for their own benefit?
'cause he wants to see you smile, have a good time, be inspired
They did it so you would be happy and motivated.
And he doesn't want for you to cry or know he cries inside
They didn't want to upset you or let you know they were also struggling.
So he hides behind his great triumphant rock and roll disguise
They pretend to be successful and tough to impress you and hide their true feelings.
We want things to be real but you really can't deny
We want honesty, but it's hard to ignore the allure of a good story.
We feel excited and on fire is it wrong to lie and say he's fine
We get caught up in the excitement of success and may overlook the struggles that come with it.
When the reason he's not fine is the pressure of the power changing lives
Behind the confident performer lies a vulnerable person struggling with the pressures of fame.
And just for an hour all these people will be better people
Their performance can inspire and move people, but it's only temporary.
I am leaving for the coast and I'll never work for anyone again
The artist is quitting their job and leaving for good.
I am not your savior or your heavenly host
The artist doesn't see themselves as anyone's salvation.
I'm just a piece of zwieback toast
The singer feels insignificant.
Getting soggy in a baby's achin' mouth
The artist feels useless and forgotten like a baby's discarded food.
I'm going south like the geese
The singer is heading south, like migrating geese.
I just goosed you and so maybe I seem loose to you
The singer's actions might have seemed inappropriate to some.
But I don't even want to screw
The singer isn't interested in sex.
And I did once
The artist had sexual experiences in the past.
But I don't now
But they don't have the same desires anymore.
Now that I see how you do things
The singer has learned something new about the person they are addressing.
The way you play and sing's amazing
The singer admires the person's musical talents.
But the way you play the game is crazy
The artist thinks the person's approach to life is risky.
You don't have to say you're sorry you don't owe me anything
The artist doesn't have any expectations or claims on the person they are addressing.
Sometimes it seems like I've got all the answers
The artist can come across as having it all figured out.
But the answers aren't the same when the questions keep on changing
Their confidence wanes when they face new challenges.
I'm trying to be brave 'cause when I'm brave Other people feel brave
The artist feels a responsibility to be strong for others.
But I feel like my heart is caving in
Despite their efforts to be brave, the singer feels overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind