After the Pharrell video went viral, several different record labels tried to sign Rogers. She ended up negotiating a contract with Capitol Records where "she licenses her music to them through her own imprint, Debay Sounds." As a result, she has more control over her sound and image than many artists at a similar place in their music careers.
Rogers's EP, Now That the Light Is Fading, was released on February 17, 2017. She released her major-label debut album, Heard It In a Past Life, in January 2019. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200.
She made her television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 15, 2017, Saturday Night Live debut on November 3, 2018 and Today Show debut on July 12, 2019.
She cites Carrie Brownstein, Patti Smith, Kim Gordon, and Björk as her musical inspirations, while prominent singers Brandi Carlile and Sharon Van Etten - who she calls her "musical big sisters" - have become mentors. She also mentioned in her initial conversation with Williams that she has synesthesia, a benign condition where one or more senses is perceived at once. In her case, she is able to perceive colours as a response to hearing music.
Little Joys
Maggie Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Ooh
Bonfire of awe and a thirst was burning
Heart like a house, the floorboards were turning
Dark river beds where slumber was decay
The only heir of the breaking day
Made words an arrow only you could aim
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess
I loved you once, but none to blame
A foggy peak in the august rain
A humid heat that would never dissipate
The wind it hunted our stray calls
Combined with dragging from the hull
But that was then when you gripped tight on me
And with no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
Lunar, solar, thought that things were over
Midnight, twilight, thought that things were alright
And don't you take my heart away
I'm a big mess of little joys
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
And lunar, solar, thought that things were over
Midnight, twilight, thought that things were alright
And don't you take my heart away
I'm a big mess of little joys
The opening lines of Maggie Rogers’ “Little Joys” speak of a spiritual experience -- a bonfire of awe and a thirst was burning. It feels like she is talking about a moment of intense connection, and this intensity is mirrored in the dramatic, ominous instrumentation that sounds like it could be from a vintage horror film. She captured the feeling of being overwhelmed by her emotions as represented by a “heart like a house,” which is just one of many vivid and striking images that make up the song’s lyrics.
As the song progresses, there is a sense of reflection and reminiscence. The imagery changes as well. No longer are we confronting a beautiful but intimidating bonfire; now we are situated in more mundane settings like foggy peaks and humid heat. However, the emotional force of this nostalgia is no less potent, and the chorus repeats the idea that she is “a big mess of little joys.” This line is beautiful and heartbreaking, a poetic way of saying that even happiness can be overwhelming. The lyrics are ambiguous enough to allow for multiple interpretations, but it’s clear that Rogers is grappling with personal experiences that are layered with emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Bonfire of awe and a thirst was burning
A feeling of both wonder and need was ignited
Heart like a house, the floorboards were turning
Emotions were shifting and stirring like the floors of a home
Dark river beds where slumber was decay
Sleep was like a decaying current
The light it wrapped you in its flame
A bright glow surrounded you
The only heir of the breaking day
You were the sole survivor of dawn's approach
Made words an arrow only you could aim
Your words held a unique power and focus
With no injury to claim
Without any wrongs to right or harm to heal
I'm a big mess of little joys
A chaotic mix of small pleasures makes up who I am
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
My eyes appear muted and subdued
I loved you once, but none to blame
Our love ended without fault on either side
A foggy peak in the august rain
A hazy summit during summer showers
A humid heat that would never dissipate
A sticky warmth that lingered
The wind it hunted our stray calls
The breeze carried away our lost cries
Combined with dragging from the hull
In addition to the pull of the boat's weight
But that was then when you gripped tight on me
At that point in time, you held me close
Lunar, solar, thought that things were over
Belief that both the moon and the sun had set on things
Midnight, twilight, thought that things were alright
In the middle of the night or the brink of dawn, things seemed okay
And don't you take my heart away
Please don't break my heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAGGIE ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lucía Reyes
Lyrics
Bonfire of awe and a thirst was burning
Heart like a house, the floorboards were turning
Dark river beds where slumber was decay
The light it wrapped you in its flame
The only heir of the breaking day
Made words an arrow only you could aim
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
I loved you once, but none to blame
A foggy peak in the august rain
A humid heat that would never dissipate
The wind it hunted our stray calls
Combined with dragging from the hull
But that was then when you gripped tight on me
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
Lunar, solar, thought that things were over
Midnight, twilight, thought that things were alright
Don't you take my heart away
I'm a big mess of little joys
Lucía Reyes
Lyrics
Bonfire of awe and a thirst was burning
Heart like a house, the floorboards were turning
Dark river beds where slumber was decay
The light it wrapped you in its flame
The only heir of the breaking day
Made words an arrow only you could aim
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
I loved you once, but none to blame
A foggy peak in the august rain
A humid heat that would never dissipate
The wind it hunted our stray calls
Combined with dragging from the hull
But that was then when you gripped tight on me
With no injury to claim
I'm a big mess of little joys
My blue eyes are wrapped in grey
I'm a big mess of little joys
Lunar, solar, thought that things were over
Midnight, twilight, thought that things were alright
Don't you take my heart away
I'm a big mess of little joys
Maggie Rogers
Thanks for being a fan!!! I just wanna appreciate you in particular for being a fan. I'm blown by the show of love and support towards my career. Where are you from? I'll really love to keep in touch on email. Would you? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Gia Lâm HUYNH
Your songs will be in my playlist for my future trips. They are just perfect for my travel mood.
Maggie Rogers
@Gia Lâm HUYNH Go ahead and drop your email address and I'll email you right away.
Gia Lâm HUYNH
@Maggie Rogers
I would be honored to keep in touch with you by email ! Of course I support your career ! I love your songs and I hope you will go on writing, composing, singing, producing ! You have so much talent.
Maggie Rogers
Thanks for being a fan!!! I just wanna appreciate you in particular for being a fan. I'm blown by the show of love and support towards my career. Where are you from? I'll really love to keep in touch on email. Would you? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Cassia Gardner
really obsessed with this one! ❣️
Maggie Rogers
Thanks for being a fan!!! I just wanna appreciate you in particular for being a fan. I'm blown by the show of love and support towards my career. Where are you from? I'll really love to keep in touch on email. Would you? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
kerbdog74
Keep going Maggie. you're a breath of fresh air!
Margot EC T
This is my absolute favorite from the new record. All of them are awesome though! 😭😍😭😍