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.
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Lo
Lisa Hannigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm wide awake
Because I feel
That every last mistake
That I have made
Has me in pieces
I smile to your face
A lie just the same
(As if I)
I washed it all away
(And showed)
My empty plate
With every hour that passes
I try to tell myself
What I know
That nights are only ashes
Of days gone by burned
Black and broken
I wear them on my skin
Ahead when I begin
To run I chase until it follows
These lyrics are from Lisa Hannigan's song "Lo," a melancholic and introspective track about regret and the weight that past mistakes can carry. The singer admits to being unable to sleep at night because she feels like every mistake she has made has left her shattered into pieces. Despite putting on a smile and pretending that everything is okay when facing others, she acknowledges that it's all a facade and that she feels empty inside.
As time goes by, the singer reflects on the fact that nights are only a remnant of the past, a pile of ashes from the days that have gone by, black and broken. She wears her regrets on her skin and is always running away from them, but they continue to follow her wherever she goes.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that we are all human and that we all make mistakes. It's important to remember that these mistakes do not define us but are a part of our journey towards growth and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night of late
Recently, every night I find it difficult to sleep
I'm wide awake
I cannot fall asleep
Because I feel
I have a strong belief
That every last mistake
All the errors of my past
That I have made
Which were my own doing
Has me in pieces
Have broken me completely
I smile to your face
Even though I am struggling inside, I pretend to be happy when I see you
(And it is)
(And in reality)
A lie just the same
It is still a falsehood
(As if I)
(As though I)
I washed it all away
I erased all my problems
(And showed)
(And displayed)
My empty plate
My superficial facade or emptiness
With every hour that passes
As time goes by
I try to tell myself
I attempt to convince myself
What I know
What I believe
That nights are only ashes
That dark times are insignificant as they become consumed by brighter ones
Of days gone by burned
Remnants of past times consumed by flames
Black and broken
Destroyed and devoid of life
I wear them on my skin
I carry these scars with me at all times
Ahead when I begin
As I initiate an action or begin a project
To run I chase until it follows
I pursue an objective, relentlessly ensuring that it comes to fruition
Writer(s): LISA MARGARET HANNIGAN, AARON DESSNER
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MaryChrisMaryCdiliapo
💖ヽ🦋♡｀♪
Every night of late
I'm wide awake
Because I feel
That every last mistake
That I have made
Has me in pieces
I smile to your face
(And it is)
A lie just the same
(As if I)
I washed it all away
(And I showed)
My empty plate
With every hour that passes
I try to tell myself
What I know
That night are only ashes
Of days gone by burned
Black and broken
I wear them on my skin
Ahead when I begin
To run I chase until it follows
@ZEMWZ
Every night of late
I'm wide awake
Because I feel
That every last mistake
That I have made
Has me in pieces
I smile to your face
(And it is)
A lie just the same
(As if I)
I washed it all away
(And I showed)
My empty plate
With every hour that passes
I try to tell myself
What I know
That night are only ashes
Of days gone by burned
Black and broken
I wear them on my skin
Ahead when I begin
To run I chase until it follows
@NeverStoppedSinging
How is this not popular, God! it's outstanding!
@joshkillerjay257
I don’t know what I was searching but I just found this masterpiece yoo❤️🔥
@andre725
lisa, your voice it's so great and sweet! ❤️❤️
@tonepoetlives
Work that ever expanding voice, timbre, harmonics and VIBRATO love . We are all behind you ,supporting you with love. Thank you for enriching my musical world Lisa. oxoxox
@abiradn2046
I love your work Lisa. You inspire me a lot !
Keep it up ! <3
@Parssel
The song is beautiful and Myles O'Reilly is brilliant. What fantastic collaborations they produce. This is totally different to the Little Bird video, but equally transfixing and sympathetic to the music.
@munrhymeswithrunes
From now on, whenever I think I have trouble sleeping, I'll remember this guy. 😂 Another genius MV, Lisa! 🙌
@nicolepoirier6896
This embodies what horrible anxiety feels like. Just wow!
@winstonjames1741
I
Love
@somegem6344
Lisa's voice is so beautiful! It purifies my ears just hearing it!