Background
Lissie was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois, USA - her father is a physician and her mother is an interior designer. She was interested in singing and music from an early age. She played the title role of the musical Annie at the age of nine. "In high school it seems like everyone has more drama than any other time in their life. So that was the time in my life where I really leaned on music as a way to stay sane" she said in an interview.
In her senior year of high school, Lissie was expelled over, what she described, as "something stupid that [she] did, but it was sort of like the culmination of just a lot of negative things that had happened". She got her degree at an alternative outreach center. She spent two years at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, during which time she would open for musicians who visited the city. She collaborated with DJ Harry of SCI Fidelity Records on the song "All My Life", which featured on television shows House, The O.C., Veronica Mars and Wildfire. After spending a semester in Paris, she finished her studies to pursue a career in music. In 2007, she produced a four-song EP that received some airplay on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
In early 2008, Lenny Kravitz invited her to be the opening act for his Love Revolution Tour, after a friend tipped him about her MySpace page. Later that year, "The Longest Road", a song she co-wrote with DJ Morgan Page reached #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. "We met under that idea that he was going to remix a song of mine (...) But we decided to work on a new song together", she told the Quad-City Times. The Deadmau5 remix of the track was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical" category.
Releases
EP - Lissie (2007 and re-released in 2013)
EP - Why You Runnin' (2009)
Her EP, Why You Runnin', produced by Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses, was released in November 2009 on Fat Possum. One of the songs, Oh Mississippi, was co-written with Ed Harcourt, whom she met through a mutual friend. The EP was listed amongst Paste magazine's "Eight Most Auspicious Musical Debuts of 2009". In early 2010, she toured various venues in the United Kingdom supporting Ohio-born singer-songwriter Joshua Radin.
Catching a Tiger (2010)
Lissie signed with Sony Music UK's Columbia Records. Her debut album, Catching a Tiger, was released on June 21, 2010. The album was recorded in Nashville in 2009 and produced by Jacquire King. The first single from the album, In Sleep, was selected as Track of The Day by Q Magazine on 13 March 2010. A second single, When I’m Alone, was released alongside the album; it would later be chosen by iTunes UK as their song of the year 2010.
Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire (2011)
EP - Covered Up With Flowers (2011)
Back to Forever (2013)
Lissie's sophomore album, Back to Forever, was released on September 8, 2013. It features the singles “Shameless” and “Further Away (Romance Police)”
EP - Love in the City (2013).
EP - Cryin' To You (2014)
In March 2014, Lissie released a critically acclaimed independent EP of cover versions called Cryin' To You. The 5-track EP features an eclectic mix of popular covers - Judas Priest’s Electric Eye, One Direction’s ballad The Story of My Life, Mother by Danzig, Hold On We're Going Home by Drake and Bob Dylan's To Ramona.
My Wild West (2016)
On February 12, 2016 Lissie released her 3rd studio album titled "My Wild West". The album has three singles: the promotional single Hero, the lead single Don't You Give Up On Me, and Daughters. My Wild West has an average grade of 73% on Metacritic.
Live at Union Chapel (2016)
Castles (2018)
On March 23, 2018 Lissie released her 4th studio album Castles. Generally receiving favourable reviews it has a rating of 76% on Metacritic. The album has a slower overall feel and includes prominent piano accompaniments on some tracks. The album has 4 singles; Boyfriend, Blood & Muscle, Best Days and Love Blows.
Compilation - When I'm Alone: The Piano Retrospective (2019)
EP - Thank You to the Flowers (2020)
Carving Canyons (2022)
Released September 16, 2022.
Bully
Lissie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catching a tiger
Baiting a bully
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here?
Am I too far from home?
Walk, child, don't run
Go off and have fun
We'll be waiting
Just look before you cross
Take love with the loss
I know it's frustrating
But mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Proud of you, proud of you
Reach, but don't push it away
Say nice words and play
With intention
Practice restraint, yeah
Find out what matters
I know your heart's been broken
But martyrs never open doors
The world is yours
Carry this torch
And use your voice
Who am I, who am I?
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here, here?
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
And all of us who turned into you
We're sure hoping that you pull on through
All of us, into you
We only hope that you pull on through
You pull on through, you pull on through, you pull on through
Your mama's, your papa's here
The lyrics of Lissie's song Bully talk about self-doubt and finding the courage to face one's fears. The first stanza describes the feeling of being worn out and vulnerable while facing the metaphorical "tiger" and "bully." The singer questions whether it was their idea to be in this position and if it was a mistake. The chorus, with the repeated phrase "Mama's here and your papa too," serves as a reassuring reminder that the singer is not alone and has a support system.
The second stanza encourages the singer to take things slowly and not rush into things, but at the same time to enjoy life and have fun. Despite the frustrations and setbacks, the supportive family acknowledges the singer's efforts and is proud of their progress. The line "Who am I, who am I?" suggests inner turmoil and questioning of one's identity and worth.
The final stanza urges the singer to keep pushing forward and to use their voice to effect change. The encouraging words "the world is yours" and "carry this torch" inspire confidence and embolden the singer to overcome their fears and doubts.
Overall, Lissie's Bully is a poignant exploration of finding the courage to stand up to one's fears and overcoming self-doubt with the support of loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Run ragged and wrecked
Feeling exhausted and damaged
Catching a tiger
Facing a difficult and fierce challenge
Baiting a bully
Trying to provoke someone who's intimidating and cruel
Was this my idea?
Questioning oneself and doubting their own decision
Is it a mistake?
Feeling uncertain and anxious about the situation
Why did you take me here?
Asking someone else for an explanation and feeling confused
Am I too far from home?
Wondering if one is out of their depth or in a place of discomfort
Am I really all alone?
Feeling isolated and unsupported
Walk, child, don't run
Take things in a slow and deliberate way, rather than rushing ahead
Go off and have fun
Encouragement to enjoy oneself and pursue happiness
We'll be waiting
Assurance of support and guidance
Just look before you cross
Take caution and consider the consequences before acting
Take love with the loss
Accept failure or disappointment with grace and compassion
I know it's frustrating
Empathy for the challenges faced and the difficulties encountered
But mama's here and your papa too
Family support and presence
And we are so darn proud of you
Pride and admiration for one's efforts and accomplishments
Reach, but don't push it away
Aspire for greatness without being too forceful or aggressive
Say nice words and play
Interact with kindness and positivity
With intention
Purposeful and mindful actions
Practice restraint, yeah
Moderation and self-control are virtuous
Find out what matters
Discover what is truly essential and valuable
I know your heart's been broken
Understanding and relating to emotional pain
But martyrs never open doors
Self-sacrifice won't necessarily lead to success or happiness
The world is yours
The world has a lot of opportunities and possibilities
Carry this torch
Take on a responsibility or a symbolic significance
And use your voice
Express yourself and make your ideas known
Who am I, who am I?
Searching for identity and purpose
Your mama's, your papa's here
Reassurance of love and support from family
And all of us who turned into you
Others who share similar experiences and hopes
We're sure hoping that you pull on through
Wishing and believing in one's ability to overcome challenges
You pull on through, you pull on through, you pull on through
Repeated encouragement and positive affirmation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELISABETH MAURUS, WILLIAM AUBREY REYNOLDS, TYLER RAMSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pan Makser
oh, this is frustratingly good.
so good that you feel kinda sad
TESSA CRESTA
SHE IS SO AMAZING. FAVOURITEEE. <3
aikalabe
RUN RAGGED AND WRECKED CATCHING THE TIGER BAITIN THE BULLY
Inara Canuto
❤
Ghalia Boussida
Yeah , right ... and i'm amy winehouse 's sister :'D
__mau52 Is Love
Ghalia Boussida whose that
Jaffl3
I am Lissie's pet cat. Meow, and shit.
basak kosanay
you're incredibly lucky then :)
a b
this song reminds me of Harry Potter, the forbidden forest scene in DH
BluesPHD
Lion actually