Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the sister of Rufus Wainwright, she has frequently appeared on recordings by her family members, the McGarrigle Sisters and Family and has released several independent EPs. Wainwright released an independent cassette, Ground Floor, in 1997. The following year, her song "Year of the Dragon" appeared on The McGarrigle Hour, an album released by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Shortly after this recording, Martha began singing backup vocals for her brother, and released the six-song EP Martha Wainwright in 1999.
Her full length self-titled first album was released in 2005, followed in 2008 by I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too, and in 2009 by Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. The Prosperpina Songfacts reports that her 4th album, Come Home To Mama, was recorded at Sean Lennon's studio in New York City. Speaking about the album, Wainwright said: "This record is a culmination of my life experiences so far. Everything changed for me a couple of years ago and this record is a representation of that and a return to the reason I started writing songs."
La Foule
Martha Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you know that it hurts
Ball and chain, my ball and chain
Crossing the street you look so fine
Making up everything that's in my mind
Ball and chain, ball and chain
You are the same with
Your balls and your chains
Take me down to Easy Street
Ball and chain, ball and chain
You are the same with
Your balls and your chains
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Why does this always happen?
Why does this always happen?
Why? Why? Yeah
Yeah, her tits were higher than mine
With a waist that is sugar-fine
I heard she could read and write too
And she's getting a degree in fucking you
Sexual psychology
It's easier than philosophy
It's easier than chemistry
Where's my chemistry?
Why does this always happen?
Oh why does this always happen?
Why? Why? Why?
In Martha Wainwright's song "La Foule," the artist speaks of a toxic relationship she's trapped in, where her lover is an emotional ball and chain. The lyrics, "Got your hand up all in my shirt, and you know that it hurts," imply that her partner is invasive and does not respect her boundaries. The lines, "Crossing the street you look so fine, making up everything that's in my mind," suggest that the artist is in love with the idea of this person, despite knowing their true nature.
The song also has a feminist theme, and the lyrics "Yeah, her tits were higher than mine with a waist that is sugar-fine, I heard she could read and write too, and she's getting a degree in f*cking you," positions the female characters as more than just objects of desire or beauty. They can be intelligent and ambitious, yet ultimately still get used as emotional pawns by their male partners. The lines "Sexual psychology, it's easier than philosophy, it's easier than chemistry," further reinforce the idea that the emotions that govern sexual attraction are often more complicated than any academic subject.
Overall, "La Foule" delivers a poignant message about the complexities of love and sexual desire in modern relationships. The song identifies the woman's struggle for equality, and how they must fight back against the patriarchy and its influences on romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Got your hand up all in my shirt
You're getting too close to me and it's uncomfortable.
And you know that it hurts
You're aware that I'm feeling uncomfortable but you're doing it anyway.
Ball and chain, my ball and chain
This relationship is suffocating and I feel trapped.
Crossing the street you look so fine
Even though I know this isn't good for me, I can't resist you.
Making up everything that's in my mind
I'm idealizing you and creating a fantasy in my head that doesn't reflect reality.
You are the same with
Your balls and your chains
You're just as trapped in this relationship as I am.
Bend me over the back of the car seat
You're dominant in this relationship and I'm willing to let you take control.
Take me down to Easy Street
You're offering a temporary escape from the stress and anxiety of our relationship.
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I'm trying to convince myself that this is what I really want, even though I know it isn't.
Why does this always happen?
I'm questioning why I keep getting into toxic relationships like this.
Yeah, her tits were higher than mine
I'm comparing myself to other women and feeling insecure about my body.
With a waist that is sugar-fine
I'm idealizing this other woman's body and feeling inadequate compared to her.
I heard she could read and write too
I'm jealous of this other woman's intelligence and accomplishments.
And she's getting a degree in fucking you
I'm angry and hurt that you're cheating on me with this other woman.
Sexual psychology
I'm trying to understand why I keep getting into relationships like this.
It's easier than philosophy
I'm avoiding the difficult questions about myself and my choices by focusing on something simpler.
It's easier than chemistry
I'm avoiding the real work of building a healthy relationship by focusing on the physical and sexual aspects.
Where's my chemistry?
I'm realizing that this relationship doesn't have the emotional connection and compatibility that I really need.
Why does this always happen?
I'm still questioning why I keep getting into unhealthy relationships and repeating the same patterns.
Oh why does this always happen?
I'm feeling hopeless and stuck, wondering if I'll ever be able to break free from these patterns.
Why? Why? Why?
I'm feeling overwhelmed by my emotions and my inability to understand why I keep repeating these same patterns.
Writer(s): Angel Amato, M. Rivgauche, Enrique Dizeo, A. Cabral
Contributed by Dylan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alisky
amazing cover! love Martha!
Alice MZ
Me encanta =)
Alamo Sabino
bonne chanson!! Très belle!!!
Falkolog Arden Batur
Harikasın 💐💐
UNGAVA PRODUCTIONS
Pas de liaison pour le T'heureux ???? personne ne lui a dit ? Sinon, excellent interprétation.
boybblue
Who is the handsome dude at the piano?
Miraç Güngör
Çok güzelsin!