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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Tender
Lisa Hannigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Askew at the root
My love
You came up swinging
Every morning
Through it all
While the dancers dip and twist
Under lights in the darkness
We take the long way round again
Tender, as a shadow
So fast to follow
A swallow to the summer
Tethered, like a mirror image
A cup and string message
One to the other
Tender is a kiss
While the dancers dip and twist
Under lights and the dark
We take the long way round again
You came up swinging
Every morning
Through it all
Tender is a kiss
While the dancers dip and twist
Under lights and the dark
We take the long way round again
The lyrics of Lisa Hannigan's song "Tender" convey a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in a relationship. The first verse describes the feeling of something being loose or askew, suggesting unease or uncertainty. But this is tempered by the declaration of love in the line "My love," which implies a desire to hold onto the relationship despite its imperfections. The second verse speaks to the perseverance required in a relationship, using the image of someone coming up swinging every morning, suggesting a determination to face whatever challenges come their way.
The chorus, with its repeated reference to the tender kiss, evokes a sense of connection and closeness between the two people in the relationship. The line "Under lights in the darkness" suggests that this connection is something that shines brightly even in difficult times. The final verse uses metaphorical language to describe the bond between the two people in the relationship, likening it to a shadow or a cup and string message passed between two people. Overall, the lyrics of "Tender" convey a sense of vulnerability, perseverance, and intimacy in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Tender as a loose tooth
My love is delicate and fragile like a loose tooth that can easily be knocked out of place.
Askew at the root
My love may be unsettled and unsteady, but it is deeply rooted within me.
You came up swinging
Despite the challenges we face, my love perseveres and is always ready to fight for what it believes in.
Every morning
My love is a constant presence in my life, greeting me each morning as I wake up.
Through it all
My love endures through the highs and lows, the good and bad times.
Tender is a kiss
There is a softness and vulnerability in the intimacy shared through a kiss.
While the dancers dip and twist
The romantic dance between two people involves a power dynamic where each partner dips and sways, but it's a beautiful and tender moment.
Under lights in the darkness
Even in the darkest moments, love can light the way and create a magical atmosphere.
We take the long way round again
We may encounter obstacles and detours, but my love and I will always find our way back to each other and take the scenic route.
Tender, as a shadow
Like a shadow that is barely there, my love can be subtle and understated but still present and important.
So fast to follow
My love is quick to react and responsible when needed.
A swallow to the summer
Like the arrival of the first swallows of summer, my love brings warmth and joy into my life.
Tethered, like a mirror image
My love and I are connected like reflections of each other, bound together by a strong bond.
A cup and string message
The communication between my love and I is like a message sent by two cups and a string, clear and direct.
One to the other
Our love is reciprocal and mutual, with each partner giving and receiving.
Writer(s): Lisa Margaret Hannigan
Contributed by Tyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.