Taylor started her musical career at the age of fifteen in the band Little Red Rocket with Orenda Fink which released two albums on Geffen, Who Did You Pay (1997) and It's in the Sound (2000). The group disbanded during the merging of Geffen with Universal Music Group.
Taylor later moved to Athens, Georgia along with her musical collaborator, Fink where they formed the band Azure Ray.
Taylor released her first solo album 11:11 on Saddle Creek Records on May 24, 2005. The album features Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Gretta Cohn of Cursive, Andy LeMaster and Mike Mogis as both musicians and producers. Grey's Anatomy named its March 31, 2011 episode Song Beneath the Song after a track from the album and also featured the song on the original soundtrack. Taylor later recorded a new song for Grey's Anatomy's 2005 Christmas episode entitled Christmas After All. Her second solo album, Lynn Teeter Flower, was released on March 6, 2007, also on Saddle Creek. A Good Start, the first track, was subsequently named one of NPR's 10 best songs of the year for 2007. The Ballad of Sean Foley was co-written with Conor Oberst. The following year she released an acoustic album titled Savannah Drive with Andy LeMaster which includes stripped-down versions of songs from her first two albums, plus one new track, Tell Me. On March 31, 2009 she released her third full length, LadyLuck via Nettwerk Music Group featuring the song Cartoons and Forever Plans, co-written by and including guest vocals from Michael Stipe of R.E.M.. LadyLuck reached number 48 on Billboard's "Heatseakers" charts.
Overlook, Maria's 4th solo album, was released August 16, 2011. After moving back to her hometown of Birmingham, Taylor was unable to write for nearly a year, eventually composing the entire album over two weeks during a break in touring with Azure Ray. This release marks the first time Taylor produced her own album. Paste called Overlook "her best, most animated collection in years." [19]
Maria Taylor released her fifth solo record, Something About Knowing on October 29, 2013 on Saddle Creek Records.
After moving back to Los Angeles, Taylor wrote and recorded In the Next Life, released December 9, 2016 on her own label, Flower Moon Records. The album features guest appearances from familiar collaborators Joshua Radin, Conor Oberst, among others. If Only (featuring Conor Oberst) was prominently featured in NBC's This Is Us. NPR, who premiered the full album stream, called it "her warmest and most affecting album... filled with gorgeous, touching songs about family, legacy, fear and the pursuit of contentment."
In November 2017, Taylor joined Ben Lee and an all star band of other musicians as Daniel Johnston's back band during the Los Angeles stop of his final tour.
In April 2018, Paste premiered Real Life (Trump Era) from the Friends and Family Vol. 1 compilation, put out on her label, Flower Moon Records. Released May 11, 2018, other contributors included Azure Ray bandmate Orenda Fink, Nik Freitas, Louis Schefano, Jake Bellows[/artist, and more. Flower Moon Records has since re-released Taylor's earlier albums, 11:11 and LadyLuck. On November 11, 2019, Taylor released her self-titled album, Maria Taylor.
Speak Easy
Maria Taylor Lyrics
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And lie in violet lilac beds
And through the darkness of the night
We'll watch our future shining bright
And out of everyone I've met
It's you I can't forget
And there was a time my heart was aching
Under a lucky star our love was born brand new
And in the shadows of the night
I'll trace your silhouette in candlelight
And if you fall asleep when you rise
I'll be there to kiss your eyes
And now my heart is in your hand
So baby, understand
And there was a time my heart was aching
Yes there was the day I swore it was breaking
Under a lucky star our love was born brand new
So don't cry, Angel
I will stay the whole night through
Forevermore, I'll be loving you
And there was a time my heart was aching
Yes there was the day I swore it was breaking
Under a lucky star our love was born brand new
So don't cry, Angel
I will stay the whole night through
Forevermore, I'll be loving you
Forevermore, I'll be loving you
The lyrics of "Speak Easy" by Maria Taylor are a beautifully crafted love song that speaks to the themes of love, devotion, and intimacy. The singer of the song talks about their love as they bathe in rose petals and lie in violet lilac beds. Their future looks bright, and they can't forget the person they have met, who holds their heart. We get a sense of how precious and vulnerable love can be as the singer talks about how their heart was once aching and breaking, but now it's in the hands of someone they trust.
The chorus talks about the lucky star under which the love between the singer and their partner was born. The shadows of the night provide a backdrop for the candlelit scene where the singer traces their beloved's silhouette. The lyrics depict a situation where if the partner falls asleep, the singer will be there to kiss their eyes and reassure them.
The lyrics of "Speak Easy" are a poignant reminder of how deep and meaningful love can be. The singer gives themselves fully to their partner, and the song is a promise to be there for them through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll bathe in rose petals, red
We will indulge in luxurious experiences and enjoy the finer things in life.
And lie in violet lilac beds
We will rest and rejuvenate in comfortable surroundings surrounded by beautiful flowers.
And through the darkness of the night
Even during difficult times, we will stay together.
We'll watch our future shining bright
We will remain optimistic and hopeful about our future together and see the potential for great things.
And out of everyone I've met
Despite meeting many people, there is only one person who stands out to me.
It's you I can't forget
I can't get you out of my mind and heart.
And there was a time my heart was aching
I experienced heartbreak and pain in the past.
Yes there was the day I swore it was breaking
At one point, I thought my heart had completely shattered.
Under a lucky star our love was born brand new
Despite the pain, our relationship began under lucky, fortuitous circumstances and was fresh and new.
And in the shadows of the night
When it's dark and quiet, I am focused on you and your presence.
I'll trace your silhouette in candlelight
I will take time to admire and appreciate the beauty of your form in the soft glow of a candle.
And if you fall asleep when you rise
No matter what you do or at what time, I will be there for you.
I'll be there to kiss your eyes
I will express my love and affection through little, intimate gestures like kissing your eyes.
And now my heart is in your hand
I have entrusted my heart and my love to you.
So baby, understand
I hope you can see the depth of my feelings and how much you mean to me.
So don't cry, Angel
Don't be sad or upset, my love.
I will stay the whole night through
I will be with you every step of the way, and will not leave your side.
Forevermore, I'll be loving you
My love for you will never die or fade, and will only continue to grow stronger with time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PAUL TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind