Nadler studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she began her performing career after writing songs for many years.
The foundation of her sound is her haunting mezzo-soprano, and a delicate 6-string acoustic guitar, often accompanied by a variety of instruments, including electric guitar, theremin, and piano. Nadler writes strange, yet classic, melancholy songs. Her voice is often bathed in a wash of reverb and space echo and creates a ghostly, atmospheric feeling to the music.
She has American Gothic leanings; her songs often take place in an imagined, idealistic time with a cast of characters of her own creation.
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marissa-Nadler/300932499775
Bandcamp: http://marissanadler.bandcamp.com/
Firecrackers
Marissa Nadler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
July Fourth of last year, we spilled all the blood
How'd you spend your summer days?
I know better now I don't call you up at night
'Cause baby your ghost and I have changed
I saw your face everywhere I looked, you sat across from me
I told you all about my days, you told me where you lived
And we have drunk all our summers away
We have drunk our summers away
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
Saturday, maybe you'll come down to see me, we'll walk around
I know better now I don't get as high
That I can't see the leaves turn from green to brown
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
"Firecrackers" by Marissa Nadler is a song that deals with themes of nostalgia, lost love, and the passage of time. The opening line of the song, "Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor," sets a haunting tone right from the beginning. The reference to fireworks exploding on the floor suggests a feeling of chaos and destruction, which is reinforced by the repetition of the line "My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for." The singer seems to be grappling with some kind of guilt or inner turmoil.
The song then shifts into a recollection of a past relationship, which was marked by long drunken summers spent together. The line "We have drunk our summers away" suggests a sense of regret, as though the singer realizes that those happy times are now gone forever. The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the singer's sense of loss and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
Explosive devices set off on Independence Day, burning bright and loud, as if reaching up to the heavens, littered the ground
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
The singer realizes that the people she thought were her attackers are actually just reflections of herself that she is trying to run from
July Fourth of last year, we spilled all the blood
The memories of last year's Fourth of July are still fresh, with an intense emotional connection to the event
How'd you spend your summer days?
Asking someone how they spent their summers, a reflection on the passing of time and the activities that fill it
I know better now I don't call you up at night
The artist has learned from past mistakes and no longer seeks comfort from someone who is not there for her
'Cause baby your ghost and I have changed
The presence of the person she used to seek comfort in is still with her, but they have both changed and moved on
I saw your face everywhere I looked, you sat across from me
The person she used to confide in is everywhere she goes, a constant reminder of what she's lost
Baby I'm a ghost when you're away
The artist feels like a ghost when the person she used to confide in is not around, as if a part of her is missing
I told you all about my days, you told me where you lived
Sharing intimate details of their lives with each other, creating a deep connection
And we have drunk all our summers away
Relaxing and losing themselves in the moment, enjoying the carefree days of summer with their close friend
Saturday, maybe you'll come down to see me, we'll walk around
Hoping to see the person she used to be close with and experience life with them again
I know better now I don't get as high
The artist has learned to control her urges and not turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms
That I can't see the leaves turn from green to brown
The singer is present in the moment and aware of the changing seasons, appreciating the beauty of nature around her
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
Repeating the opening line, emphasizing the enduring impact of the Fourth of July fireworks and their connection to the singer's memories and emotions
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
Repeating the same line as before, highlighting the theme of self-reflection and realization that the person she is running from is herself
Firecrackers burned into heaven on the floor
Repeating the opening line once more, creating a sense of finality and conclusion to the song
My attackers, it's me it's me it's me you're looking for
Closing with the same line as before, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and learning from past mistakes
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bret Helm's Life On This Planet Blog
One of my favorite albums of 2014 so far.
David Evers
Anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to the imagery of the first part of this video… that endless replaying and retracing of the past, trying to discover where things got so broken but with an imperfect memory blurred by pain and a longing to undo the damage. The psychedelic eruption of colours in the second part is a nice antidote.
Naps And Snacks Rule
Ethereal in every way. <3
ליאור נגר
🔝🎼❤Marisa you are amazing
praisethelove
love this entire album. one of her best
M
superbe ambiance !!
Leo olho
My best one!! Haunting!!
Natalia Abril
Me encantas 🖤
Rachel Kowalczyk
Kind of a fucking amazingly beautiful video, lil bit
High Noon
Fi i-i-i-i-recrackers, My-y-y-y-y-attackers - that's what makes it for me. Haunting.