Their first release was a double-A-side 7" single on Off The Wall (later signed to Peacefrog) that had two tracks: "Twice" and "Test".
Nagano was born and raised in Göteborg to a Japanese father and American mother. She grew up listening to American folk, but always had an affinity for R&B. Keyboardist Wirenstrand spent his childhood in Småland before moving to Göteborg where listened to a lot of Swedish folk music before getting into electronic music. Bodin grew up listening to early hip-hop and jazz. Fredrik was influenced by experimental, noise and electro house.
Nagano and Bodin play live with José González. Bodin also drums with Peps Perrson, a Swedish blues/reggae artist. Swedish electronic jazz duo Koop's albums Waltz for Koop and Koop Islands feature Yukimi Nagano's vocals on several tracks.
The band collaborated with Gorillaz on two tracks ("Empire Ants" and "To Binge") from their 2010 released album, Plastic Beach. Little Dragon also collaborated with Maximum Balloon (the solo project of David Andrew Sitek, producer and member of TV On the Radio), for one track entitled "If You Return". In 2011, the band's collaboration with SBTRKT on "Wildfire" was released as the lead single from his self-titled début LP.
Turn Left
Little Dragon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now fogging up a blur I can't recall
How many times have I been here before?
Could this be my birth town? Oh
Now as I am searching for a soul
Crossing country looking for a real job
Nothing seems to suit me, no
Walking down the stairs
Anonymous, detached
On the corner I turn
I turn, I turn left
Looking out at the waves
I could stand here for ten more days
Crushing stones with my toes
That woman looking at me
Could she be my relative? Oh
Would she be my best friend? Oh
Wonder if she's seen me here before?
Could she be my relative? Oh
Walking down the stairs
Anonymous, detached
On the corner I turn
I turn, I turn left
The song Turn Left by Little Dragon is an introspective reflection on the artist’s struggle with identity and sense of belonging. The song starts with the artist admitting to not having a clear understanding of her roots, and how she feels disconnected from her past. The line “Now fogging up a blur I can't recall” suggests the confusion and frustration that comes with not being able to clearly recollect one’s heritage. The artist goes on to describe her wanderlust, as she keeps moving from place to place in search of a “real job” that will suit her. She feels like she is lost and doesn’t know where she is going.
The chorus is about turning left, a metaphor for taking a new direction that may lead to self-discovery. The artist is anonymous and detached, as she feels she is not recognized by the people around her. The line “Walking down the stairs, on the corner I turn” suggests that she is in a transitional phase in her life, moving towards something new. The second verse repeats the artist’s restlessness, as she wonders if the woman she sees by the waves could be a relative or a friend. The song ends with the artist turning left once more, perhaps indicating that she is still on the journey of self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I thought I knew where I came from
I was confident in my understanding of my origins
Now fogging up a blur I can't recall
Now my memory is hazy and unclear
How many times have I been here before?
I am not sure if I have been here previously
Could this be my birth town? Oh
Perhaps this is where I was born
Now as I am searching for a soul
As I am searching for purpose and meaning
Crossing country looking for a real job
Traveling through the country to find meaningful work
Nothing seems to suit me, no
Nothing seems to be the right fit for me
Guess I'll keep doing what I did before
I will continue the same routine I have had
Walking down the stairs
Descending a flight of stairs
Anonymous, detached
Feeling disconnected and detached from my surroundings
On the corner I turn
Navigating a corner while walking
I turn, I turn left
Turning to the left
Looking out at the waves
Observing the waves of the ocean
I could stand here for ten more days
I could stay here and admire the view for a longer period of time
Crushing stones with my toes
Pressing stones with my feet
That woman looking at me
A woman noticing me
Could she be my relative? Oh
I wonder if she is related to me
Would she be my best friend? Oh
I wonder if she could be my closest friend
Wonder if she's seen me here before?
I wonder if she has encountered me in this location previously
Walking down the stairs
Descending a flight of stairs
Anonymous, detached
Feeling disconnected and detached from my surroundings
On the corner I turn
Navigating a corner while walking
I turn, I turn left
Turning to the left
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Erik Oskar Bodin, Fredrik Daniel Wallin, Hakan Wirenstrand, Yukimi Eleanora Nagano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind