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/
Rosary
Marissa Nadler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know
You don't know me at all
And in my life of a girl
Of the troubles and love
I'm a troubled, troubled heart
Thought I'd sing with the boats
That they'd swim back to me today
My troubles are never going to leave me alone
A prayer told me
The rosary
That I wear on my neck
Stare out to sea
Ghosts overhead
Bird in a tree
I feel numb and cold, rosary
Numb cold and free, rosary
Rosary
In Marissa Nadler's song "Rosary", the singer is communicating to an unknown listener, likely a love interest or confidant, about her feelings of loneliness and troubles. The first few lines reveal the singer's vulnerability as she explains the disconnect between her and the person she is speaking to. The singer emphasizes that the other person does not know her, and this implies a sense of longing and unfulfilled connection. The rest of the verse tells us about the singer's life as a girl and the difficulties she has faced in love. These lyrics are especially poignant because they convey the idea that despite the singer's efforts to reach out or connect with others, she remains troubled and alone.
In the chorus, the singer shares her coping mechanism for dealing with her troubles- praying the rosary. The imagery of staring out to sea, ghosts overhead, and a bird in a tree creates an eerie and cathartic atmosphere. The repetition of "numb and cold, rosary" and "numb cold and free, rosary" emphasizes the emotional release the singer gets from her prayers. Overall, this song is both melancholic and beautiful, as it captures the bittersweet feeling of finding solace in a lonely heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night that I spend alone
Each time I am by myself at night
You don't know
It is unknown to you, you are unaware
You don't know me at all
You have no understanding or familiarity of me
And in my life of a girl
In the experience of my girlhood
Of the troubles and love
Concerning issues and affection
I'm a troubled, troubled heart
I am a heart that is deeply disturbed
Thought I'd sing with the boats
I anticipated singing alongside the boats
Trouble all away
Problems gone, every worry resolved
That they'd swim back to me today
That they would eventually return to me
My troubles are never going to leave me alone
My worries will constantly be with me
A prayer told me
A petition instructed me
The rosary
The prayer beads used in the Catholic tradition
That I wear on my neck
That I keep around my neck
Stare out to sea
Gaze towards the water
Ghosts overhead
Otherworldly apparitions above
Bird in a tree
An avian creature resting on a branch
I feel numb and cold, rosary
I am experiencing a sensation of being emotionally detached and chilly, rosary
Numb cold and free, rosary
Numb, cold, and wandering without hindrance, rosary
Rosary
Rosary
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARISSA NADLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@analogR
Marissa is beautiful, so shy and wonderful lady, I saw her 2 weeks ago in Shepherd's Bush here in London, my husband wasn't very happy about going to "my depressive music" concert, but soon he was completely in love, every time I think about that wonderful few hours of her magical voice and presence makes me a little bit more sure that there are some great female vocalists after Billie Holiday, she is beyond beautiful, and I wish her all the best.
@JeffroTas
I've just discovered Marissa Nadler, what a sublime singer / musician. The video clip is breathtaking and ethereal - thanks!
@semiserioussam
A beautiful voice amplified by a beautiful soul.
@DonSulis
Constantly surprised how Marissa isn't WAY more well known. I'm glad I'm in on the secret. Her music is so healing.
@modeldaughters
a marissa nadler video featuring marissa nadler...?! patrick, how did you do it!!? wow... this is a dream come true for me - i have loved this woman and her music for years... wow. just...wow! -frank- / model daughters
@robdunn8615
Gorgeous song - etheral!
@clairedelune49
Rosary by Marissa Nadler: Every night that I spend alone You don't know You don't know me at all And in my life of a girl Of the troubles and love I'm a troubled, troubled heart Thought I'd sing with the boats Trouble all away That they'd swim back to me today My troubles are never going to leave me alone A prayer told me The rosary That I wear on my neck Stare out to sea Ghosts overhead Bird in a tree I feel numb and cold, rosary Numb cold and free, rosary Rosary
@vigilaki
patrick fraser created a beautiful video as well.
@mimikaspilioti182
So beautiful🖤✨
@adelbertvondeyen
Awesome. Thumbs up!