Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. The North Carolina duo have built a steady and growing fanbase with this kind of intimacy, and on Tides of A Teardrop, due out February 1, it is more potent than ever. By all accounts, it is the duo’s fullest, richest, and most personal effort. You can hear the air between them—the taut space of shared understanding, as palpable as a magnetic field, that makes their music sound like two halves of an endlessly completing thought. Singer-songwriter Andrew Marlin and multi-instrumentalist Emily Frantz have honed this lamp glow intimacy for years.
In the last three years, the group has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Rooster Walk, and MerleFest and the Omagh Bluegrass Festival. Mandolin Orange was the featured artist on CBS This Morning's Saturday Morning Sessions on December 7, 2019.
They signed to Yep Roc Records in 2013 and have produced four albums under their umbrella, This Side Of Jordan, Such Jubilee, Blindfaller and Tides of a Teardrop.
Killer
Mandolin Orange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to spot a raindrop in the sea
And I went huntin' a killer, to killer
Someone who thought and taught like me
Now, I sit wondering
Am I lonely, am I home
And how these times, often pull me
I tried to find a lover, never want another
I hope that I'll be happy by myself
Cause we all reach the top, and not the bottom
Is it better yet to leave it on a shelf
Hmm, I sit wondering
Am I lonely, am I home
And how these times, often pull me
To the corner or in the battle I've been in
In Mandolin Orange's song "Killer," the lyrics explore themes of self-reflection and isolation. The opening line, "I left but an honest man, who only lies," suggests that the singer may have left behind a past version of themselves that was not truthful or authentic. The lines, "I try to spot a raindrop in the sea / And I went huntin' a killer, to killer / Someone who thought and taught like me," are ambiguous and could have multiple interpretations. Some may interpret it as the singer trying to find something that's nearly impossible to find, like a raindrop in the sea, or perhaps they are looking for someone who shares their beliefs and values. However, the use of the word "killer" suggests something more sinister - perhaps the singer is looking for someone who is similar to them in the sense that they are also capable of harming others.
The following lines continue to embody the singer's quest for self-discovery and understanding: "Now, I sit wondering / Am I lonely, am I home / And how these times, often pull me / To the corner or in the battle I've been in." The contrast between "lonely" and "home" suggests that the singer is in search of a sense of belonging, but is uncertain if they have found it. The mention of a "battle" implies that the singer has experienced some sort of conflict or struggle in their past. The lines, "I tried to find a lover, never want another / I hope that I'll be happy by myself" reflect the singer's tendency to rely on themselves rather than others, which could stem from past experiences of being let down or betrayed. The final lines, "Cause we all reach the top, and not the bottom / Is it better yet to leave it on a shelf," further reflect the singer's introspective nature and the idea that sometimes it's better to let things go rather than hold onto them.
Line by Line Meaning
I left but an honest man, who only lies
I parted ways with someone who claimed to be truthful but constantly deceived me
I try to spot a raindrop in the sea
I attempt to find a small and insignificant thing amongst a vast and overwhelming amount
And I went huntin' a killer, to killer
Someone who thought and taught like me
I searched for someone who shared my beliefs and mindset, even if they may have harmful intentions
Now, I sit wondering
Am I lonely, am I home
And how these times, often pull me
To the corner or in the battle I've been in
I contemplate my current state of existence and whether I am truly content, as my past experiences continue to affect me
I tried to find a lover, never want another
I hope that I'll be happy by myself
I sought out a romantic partner but do not wish to pursue anyone else; I desire to find happiness on my own
Cause we all reach the top, and not the bottom
Is it better yet to leave it on a shelf
We all strive for success and achievement, but perhaps it is best to leave our desires unfulfilled and simply accept our current situation
Hmm, I sit wondering
Am I lonely, am I home
And how these times, often pull me
To the corner or in the battle I've been in
Once again, I am left contemplating whether I am alone or content, as my past experiences continue to affect me
Writer(s): andrew marlin
Contributed by Alyssa H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.