Native of Mill Valley, California, United States, Linda Perhacs spent many years away from the music industry (mostly spent as dental technician). Her songs have been featured in soundtracks to many films, most recently and notably in "Daft Punk's Electroma". Perhacs also sang backing vocals on "Freely" from Devendra Banhart's "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" and features in Prefuse 73's track "Rain Edit Interlude" from the album "Surrounded by Silence".
In December 2013, Asthmatic Kitty Records announced the March 2014 release of Perhacs' second record The Soul of All Natural Things. The album was recorded in 2012 and 2013 with co-producers Fernando Perdomo and Chris Price. Other collaborators on the album include Julia Holter and Ramona Gonzalez of Nite Jewel. The Soul of All Natural Things was released on March 4, 2014.
Official site: http://www.lindaperhacs.com
Hey Who Really Cares
Linda Perhacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming down for a long time
Changes
Coming down on me
Can't seem to carry them all now
Been wishing there was someone else I could be
Hey, now, who really cares?
Hey, won't somebody listen
Can I bring it out to you
I need someone to talk to
And no one else will spare me the time
I used
To think of ferris wheel light sounds
The Friday
Hum of neons and blue
But now they're like circular cages
Of grated tin and rusted wind
Hey, now, who really cares?
Hey, won't somebody listen
Let me say what's been on my mind
Can I bring it out to you
I need someone to talk to
And no one else will spare me the time
The lyrics of Linda Perhacs's "Hey Who Really Cares?" explore the feeling of isolation and the need for someone to listen and understand. The opening lines suggest that the weight of changes in life has become overwhelming and the persona is struggling to bear it alone. The repetition of the line "hey, now, who really cares?" further emphasizes the feeling of being unheard and neglected.
The second half of the song is characterized by a shift in the persona's perspective towards the things that used to bring them joy. The reference to ferris wheel lights and neon sounds implies a sense of nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and more carefree. However, now they are seen as "circular cages" that trap and suffocate.
The overall message of the song seems to be a call for empathy and connection. The persona desperately needs someone to talk to and share their struggles with, but no one seems to have the time or willingness to listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Been
I have been experiencing something
Coming down for a long time
This feeling has been affecting me for a while
Changes
There are changes happening in my life
Coming down on me
These changes are affecting me in a negative way
Can't seem to carry them all now
I am struggling to cope with everything going on
Been wishing there was someone else I could be
I have been wishing that I could escape my current situation
Hey, now, who really cares?
I am wondering if anyone truly cares about me and my problems
Hey, won't somebody listen
I am asking for someone to listen to me
Let me say what's been on my mind
I want to express my thoughts and feelings
Can I bring it out to you
I am asking if I can confide in someone
I need someone to talk to
I am in need of someone to talk to
And no one else will spare me the time
I feel like no one else is willing to listen or make time for me
I used
I previously thought or felt something
To think of ferris wheel light sounds
I used to find joy in things like the sounds of carnival rides
The Friday
The end of the work week
Hum of neons and blue
The buzzing sound of neon lights
But now they're like circular cages
Now those familiar things feel oppressive and suffocating
Of grated tin and rusted wind
They have become ugly and corroded
Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.