A stunning vocalist, Hannigan regularly performed live with Rice from early 2001 until March 2007 when Rice's official website announced that his professional relationship with Hannigan had "run its creative course". During 2005 Hannigan and Rice co-wrote Unplayed Piano which was released to support the Free Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday Campaign. Hannigan also appeared on backing vocals on Mic Christopher's album Skylarkin, as well as the soundtrack to "Goldfish Memory".
In 2006 Hannigan featured as part of The Cake Sale, a collective of mostly Irish, but featuring some international artists, formed by Brian Crosby of Bell X1. On 3rd November 2006 they released a self-titled album in Ireland to raise money for Oxfam and the Irish Make Trade Fair campaign. The album was so successful that it was given an international release the following year; released 10th September 2007 in the UK and 16th October 2007 in the US.
Hannigan has since gone on to pursue her own solo career, releasing her first album Sea Sew in Ireland on September 12th 2008, debuting at number 4 and earning her a Choice Music Prize nomination, two Meteor Music Award nominations and has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2009. The album's first single was Lille followed by I Don't Know.
Sea Sew got an official US release on February 3rd 2009 and a UK release on May 4th 2009. On 21 July 2009, two days after a triumphant performance in torrential rain at the Latitude Festival, it was announced that Sea Sew had been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in the UK.
The O Sleep Songfacts reports that Hannigan began writing for her second album in late 2009 and only completed it in March 2011. However, she and producer Joe Henry spent a mere week laying down the tracks in Wales. Passenger was released in the US and Canada on September 20, 2011 and in the Republic of Ireland on October 7, 2011.
http://www.lisahannigan.ie/
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I Don’t Know
Lisa Hannigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or what countries you've been to
If you speak any other languages other than your own
I'd like to meet you
I don't know if you drive
If you love the ground beneath you
I don't know if you write letters or you panic on the phone
All the same, if you want to
I am game
I don't know if you can swim
If the sea has any draw for you
If you're better in the morning or when the sun goes down
I'd like to call you
I don't know if you can dance
If the thought ever occurred to you
If you eat what you've been given or you push it 'round your plate
I'd like to cook for you
All the same, I would want to
I am game
If you walk my way
I could keep my head
We could creep away
In the dark or maybe not
We could shoot it down anyway
I don't know if you read novels or the magazines
If you love the hand that feeds you
I assume that your heart's been bruised
I'd like to know you
You don't know if I can draw at all
Or what records I am into
If I sleep like a spoon or rarely at all
Or maybe you would do
Or maybe you would do
If you walk my way
I will keep my head we will feel our way
Through the dark
Though I don't know you I think that I would do
I don't fall easy at all
Ah at all (oh oh)
Ah at all (oh oh)
Ah at all (oh oh)
Ah at all (oh oh)
If you walk my way
I will keep my head
We will feel our way through the dark
Though I don't know you I think that I would do
I don't fall easy at all
The song "I Don't Know" by Lisa Hannigan is a heartfelt and vulnerable expression of desire to connect with her unnamed subject. The lyrics convey the singer's curiosity about this person, their interests, personality, and physical traits. She lists out the things she doesn't know about the person, including their smoking habits, travel experiences, linguistic abilities, and their preferred timing of activities. Despite not knowing all these details, the singer is willing to take a chance on this person, communicate with them, and possibly cook for them. Hannigan then addresses the unnamed person directly, saying that even though they are not familiar with each other, she feels drawn to them and is open to the possibility of exploring a relationship.
The overall tone of the song is gentle and introspective, with the emphasis on the potential for a powerful connection between two people. The lyrics manage to capture the complexities of relationships, especially the fear of the unknown when it comes to meeting and getting to know someone new. Through the use of conditional phrases and hypothetical questions, Hannigan portrays the sense of self-doubt and ambivalence that often comes with taking a risk on a new relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what you smoke
I have no idea about your habits, what you smoke or whether you smoke at all
Or what countries you've been to
I am unaware of the places you have visited or traveled to
If you speak any other languages other than your own
I don't know if you are bilingual or if you can speak any other language apart from your mother tongue
I'd like to meet you
Despite not knowing much about you, I would still like to have the chance to meet you
I don't know if you drive
I am not certain whether you are capable of driving or not
If you love the ground beneath you
I am curious to know whether you feel attached to the places you are in or you tend to be detached from your surroundings
I don't know if you write letters or you panic on the phone
I am clueless as to whether you are the kind of person who prefers written communication or someone who freaks out on phone calls
I'd like to call you
It would be great to have a conversation with you to understand you better
All the same, if you want to
But at the same time, it is your decision whether you want to communicate or not
I am game
Either way, I am ready for whatever happens
I don't know if you can swim
I am uncertain if you can swim or even enjoy water sports
If the sea has any draw for you
I am curious to know if you find oceanic activities attractive and interesting
If you're better in the morning or when the sun goes down
Whether you are a morning person or a night owl is a mystery to me
I don't know if you can dance
I don't know if you can groove to music or whether you care about dances
If the thought ever occurred to you
I wonder if you have ever thought about it, dancing or not
If you eat what you've been given or you push it 'round your plate
I am not sure if you are picky about your meals or easy when it comes to food
I'd like to cook for you
Cooking for you seems like a fascinating idea to me
All the same, I would want to
But then again, it's entirely up to you if you would like me to cook for you or not
If you walk my way
If you happen to come my way and cross paths with me
I could keep my head
I will make sure to stay sane and act rationally despite the excitement of meeting you
We could creep away
We could sneak out of our respective lives and try to make something work together
In the dark or maybe not
We could explore our feelings and possibilities in the dark or in plain sight
We could shoot it down anyway
Either way, we could give it a shot without any fear or hesitation
If you read novels or the magazines
I am curious to know your interests, whether you like reading novels or lifestyle magazines
If you love the hand that feeds you
I wonder if you are generally grateful for what you have or you often take things for granted
I assume that your heart's been bruised
Given human nature and experiences, I suppose you have had your fair share of heartbreaks and sorrows
I'd like to know you
Despite assuming things, I would still like to get to know you better, your life and experiences
You don't know if I can draw at all
Similarly, you don't know anything about me, my skills, what I like to do or what I am passionate about
Or what records I am into
You have no idea what kind of music I enjoy and what tunes I get lost in
If I sleep like a spoon or rarely at all
You have no idea whether I am a heavy sleeper, a light sleeper or someone who barely gets any sleep
Or maybe you would do
Or maybe you could tell me how you like to sleep or you would like to explore with me
If you walk my way
Again, if our paths cross and we have the chance to meet each other
I will keep my head we will feel our way
I will try to remain sane and level-headed as we explore our feelings and interests
Through the dark
Despite obstacles and uncertainties, we will try to find our way to each other
Though I don't know you I think that I would do
In spite of not knowing you too well, I have a good feeling that we could make a connection
I don't fall easy at all
But I won't fall for anyone easily, and it will take time and effort to establish a bond with me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LISA MARGARET HANNIGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankenviews4069
Possibly the most underrated YouTube music video of all time. Several years on and still the coolest "indie" thing that I revisit that never did eventually become mainstream. A diamond in the rough.
@treborsirrah7916
Blue diamond
@indiefab
The view count is getting impressive, even though a couple million of those are mine.
@naiyomotion
@Ryan Norman nearly 4 million views but only 24K likes suggested that indeed a lot of those views are the same crowd coming back to watch it for the umpteenth time 😂. I wish I could give it an extra like every time I come here!
@stefancurran9380
Laaaaads. My bestie just reminded me that I used to play this song back in University College Cork. Many many years ago. What a delight and joy.
@alecmclaughlin7594
I’m on my at least 500th view. 😂 1:50
@antonymification212
This is without a doubt, the absolutely best thing in the world... You have won the internet. Not just for the song and musicianship, the nonchalant drum kit, adorable kids and wonderful barman, it sounds great and is well shot...The fact that your all playing in a cupboard is perfect... This is where I come when I need to smile. Thank you all.
@bid84
They are playing in a part of the Irish pub known as the “snug” traditionally this is where the women would drink together and chat.
@forced-into-Google-Handle
First saw this video years ago and loved it. Just rewatched. It's like the definition of "authentic". Lisa & her band are amazing... But I guess the coolest thing of this video is to know that real old fashion Pubs may still exist. Makes you want to visit ☺️🇮🇪
@CP-ll6qg
and the way her beanie slides off because she's feeling it so much, and the way one of the guys says "rock n' roll" joking at the end...yeah, this video is magic.