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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Song Of The Sea
Lisa Hannigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The wishful thinking in my life, I see so
And he's like the wine on the weekend
And though he is like the sea and it's right he be so
If I hold tight he'll wash over me
There's one girl I like she's a smile on a Monday
And she'll fight to stay so
And though she is like the sea and she's right to be so
Still I like that she sails with me
Didn't we all break down
Didn't we all fake
Isn't it alright now
Didn't we all break out
There's one man so bright he blocks the light
And he'll always be so
He's like no sleep on the weekend
And though he is like the sea and he's right to be so
When I hold tight I sink down deep
Didn't we all break down
Didn't we all fake
Isn't it alright now
Didn't we all break out
And though we are like the sea and it's right we be so
We could chase tails all the years I've been given
In Lisa Hannigan's song "Sea Song," she speaks of three different people who each represent something significant in her life. The first person is described as being like "wishful thinking" and "wine on the weekend." This person is like the sea, and if she holds on tight, he will wash over her. The second person is a girl whom Hannigan likes. She is described as being a "smile on a Monday" and "the sun on the weekend." This person is also like the sea, and even though she sails with Hannigan, she is right to be herself. Lastly, Hannigan speaks of a man who is so bright that he blocks the light. This person is like "no sleep on the weekend," and though he is like the sea, when she holds tight, she sinks down deep.
Overall, Hannigan expresses how each of these individuals has affected her life, and though they are all unique, they are all like the sea in some way. The chorus repeats the phrase "Didn't we all break down, didn't we all fake, isn't it alright now, didn't we all break out," emphasizing that each of us has gone through hardship and struggle, but ultimately, we have all come out stronger.
Line by Line Meaning
There's one man, he's like
Referring to a man who has a significant presence in the singer's life
The wishful thinking in my life, I see so
He represents the hopes and dreams she has for her life
And he's like the wine on the weekend
He brings joy and relaxation like a drink enjoyed on weekends
And though he is like the sea and it's right he be so
The man's unpredictable nature is compared to the vast and unpredictable ocean, and it's right that he should remain that way
If I hold tight he'll wash over me
If she clings to him, he will engulf her and take her with him on his journey
There's one girl I like she's a smile on a Monday
Referring to a girl who is a source of happiness and optimism for the singer, particularly on a dull day
And she'll fight to stay so
She is determined to remain a part of the singer's life
And she's like the sun on the weekend
She brings warmth and light like the sun on a weekend
And though she is like the sea and she's right to be so
Her independent and unpredictable nature is compared to the sea, and it's right that she should remain that way
Still I like that she sails with me
The artist enjoys having the girl in her life and feels that they are on a journey together
Didn't we all break down
Referring to a time when everyone experienced a period of emotional or mental struggle
Didn't we all fake
Referring to a time when everyone pretended to be someone they were not
Isn't it alright now
Asks if it's okay to move forward or leave the past behind
Didn't we all break out
Referring to a time when everyone broke free from their comfort zones or normal routines
There's one man so bright he blocks the light
Referring to a man who is a source of intense emotion, possibly causing the singer distress
And he'll always be so
The artist expects this man to continue to have a strong hold on her emotions
He's like no sleep on the weekend
This man is constantly on the artist's mind, much like the lack of sleep experienced on a busy weekend
And though he is like the sea and he's right to be so
The singer acknowledges this man's unpredictable nature and believes that he should remain that way
When I hold tight I sink down deep
If the singer clings to this man, she fears she will be pulled down with him
And though we are like the sea and it's right we be so
All of the people mentioned in the song, including the artist, are compared to the sea and are embraced for their independent and unpredictable nature
We could chase tails all the years I've been given
The artist realizes that life is short and that she and the others mentioned in the song could spend their entire lives chasing their own desires and goals
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LISA MARGARET HANNIGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind