Veirs was raised in Colorado, studied geology and Mandarin Chinese at Carleton College, worked as a translator for a geological expedition in China, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Veirs has said that she didn't seriously listen to music until she was in her 20s; instead, she just heard what was in her environment. She listened to folk / country / classical / pop, around the house & on the radio, during her youth.
Attending Carleton College in rural Minnesota, Veirs latched onto feminist punk rock from the Pacific Northwest, eventually starting an all-female punk band called "Rair Kx!". Veirs studied geology and Mandarin Chinese. After college, she embraced older country and folk music. Her first foray into songwriting started with a geological expedition in China, where she served as translator. She was miserable and immersed herself into writing lyrics as a way of coping.
She put out her own self-titled album Laura Veirs, recorded live and featuring just her and guitar, in 1999. She has since made five highly acclaimed records with producer Tucker Martine. 2003 saw the release of Troubled by the Fire, a full-band effort that found the artist sharing the studio with such luminaries as Bill Frisell and violist Eyvind Kang. She signed to Nonesuch Records the following year with the atmospheric follow-up Carbon Glacier. Year of Meteors followed in August of 2005. She collaborated with The Decemberists on "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)", from their 2006 album The Crane Wife. Her sixth record, Saltbreakers, was released worldwide on Nonesuch Records in April 2007. Her seventh album July Flame was released in January 2010.
In November 2011, Veirs released the album Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs For Children. The album presents mostly traditional songs, and features an array of guest musicians, including Colin Meloy, Jim James, and Bela Fleck. The album won a Parents' Choice Award in 2012.
In September 2012 her first feature film soundtrack was released: Hello I Must Be Going.
Veirs tours frequently in Europe, the US and Australia both solo and with her backing band Saltbreakers, consisting of Karl Blau on bass, guitar, and backing vocals, keyboardist Steve Moore, and Tucker Martine on drums.
Riptide
Laura Veirs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My toes dangle for a place to stand and be
Oh starry night, come and chart a course
Or send me a boat with an anchor set
I'll pull myself ashore
Left with essence
There's no other route
I cannot take self to flight
I'll float here with the shrimp and brine
And on my cheeks and hair
The salt will always shine
And with this phosphorescence map
A sailor's chart, a mermaid's hand
Something I'll find
Oh starry night, come and chart a course…
The song Riptide by Laura Veirs tells the story of a person who is being pulled out into the open sea by the powerful force of a riptide. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and the feeling of being at the mercy of nature. The singer's toes are searching for a place to stand and be, but the treacherous sea won't allow it. The riptide is a metaphor for life's challenges that drag us away from our comfort zone, leaving us feeling vulnerable and exposed.
The lyrics address the starry night, calling upon it to chart a course or send a boat with an anchor set to pull the singer ashore. However, the sea is not yet ready to release its grip on the singer. Left with the essence of the moon, stars, and night, the singer has to accept that there is no other route to safety than to float there with the shrimp and brine. The salt on their cheeks and hair will always shine, and with the phosphorescence map, the singer will find their way home.
The song's theme is a message of resilience and the human spirit's ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The lyrics are rich in imagery and metaphors, creating a vivid picture of the singer's struggle with the riptide. The song's relatability to life's challenges makes it an inspiring and uplifting piece of music that resonates with many.
Line by Line Meaning
Riptide pulls me out into the open sea
The dangerous current in the sea is pulling me away from the shore, leaving me with no control over my movements.
My toes dangle for a place to stand and be
I'm desperately seeking for a solid ground to secure my feet and gain a sense of stability in the tumultuous water.
Oh starry night, come and chart a course
I'm calling upon the guiding power of the night sky to help me navigate safely through the unpredictable sea.
Or send me a boat with an anchor set
If I can't make it on my own, I'm hoping for a rescue mission by a reliable ship with a firm anchor to keep me protected.
I'll pull myself ashore
With sheer determination and willpower, I'll try my hardest to swim towards the shore and save myself from the perilous waters.
Left with essence
Stranded without any tangible possessions or resources to aid me in survival.
Of the moon and stars and night
All I have with me are the celestial entities of the sky, reflecting on the water's surface as a hopeful sign of guidance.
There's no other route
There's no other option or escape route that I can see or rely on.
I cannot take self to flight
I don't have the ability or means to fly away from this situation, and must face it head on.
I'll float here with the shrimp and brine
Surviving off the meager resources of the sea, I'll keep afloat in the company of the small creatures.
And on my cheeks and hair the salt will always shine
The constant exposure to the salt water will leave a trail of residue on my skin and hair, serving as a constant reminder of the hardships faced.
And with this phosphorescence map
Despite the overwhelming darkness, I'm fortunate to have a map created by the glowing life forms in the water to guide me towards safety.
A sailor's chart, a mermaid's hand
The map is a combination of both human and mythical knowledge, reminding me of the vastness and unpredictability of the sea.
Something I'll find
Despite the struggles, I hold onto the hope and belief that I'll find a solution or way out of this situation eventually.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA VEIRS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Di L.
Beautiful song. 1st time hearing it brought such calmness, beautiful.
Jeff Cox
Hard to believe there's only one other comment on this masterpiece of a song. Laura Veirs, with her oceanic fantasies on Carbon Glacier, is a true artist. I love her work.
Jeffrey Lyons
Damn! She's just so great. I never tire of any of her songs.
lodwar
One of my favourite songs. Thank you for posting
brightphoebus
super good.
kanal6 nostalji
greats!
A Victor Bell
My favourite Laura Veirs song and my favourite of all her albums
A Victor Bell
My favourite Laura Veirs song off my favourite album, it's even better live