Melody Gardot (b. 1985) is a Grammy-nominated U.S. jazz singer, writer, and… Read Full Bio ↴Melody Gardot (b. 1985) is a Grammy-nominated U.S. jazz singer, writer, and musician.

Born on the 2nd February 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gardot took up piano and played as a youngster on the nightclub scene of Philadelphia, influenced by jazz, folk, rock, and pop musics. At the age of nineteen she was a fashion student at the Community College of Philadelphia. While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a car whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. In the accident she suffered serious head and spinal injuries, and her pelvis was broken in two places. Because of these severe injuries she was confined to her hospital bed for a year. Her musical beginning was prompted by a tending physician who was concerned with her cognitive impairment as a result of head injury sustained in the accident. He believed that music would help her brain injury improve, as it has been known to show remarkable results in improving people's cognitive ability after such trauma.

Following her doctor's suggestion, Gardot made recordings bedside, while still unable to walk, and eventually released the works as an EP: Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions (2005). Gardot's desire to be well, combined with a bit of luck, brought her to the attention of a local radio DJ at the AAA station WXPN (known for launching the careers of artists such as Amos Lee and Norah Jones). Her cognitive powers slowly but surely became pronounced, leading to the independent recording and release of her debut CD, Worrisome Heart, which was reissued in 2007 by Verve records.

Gardot is hypersensitive to light and noise, so wears dark glasses; she also uses a cane to walk. Onstage she requires a special seating unit, and wears a Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulator, a TENS device, to assist in alleviating her neuralgic muscle pain. Though touring is difficult, she has been performing in major cities on the East Coast of the U.S. to support her recordings. In 2009, working with producer Larry Klein and arranger Vince Mendoza - both known for their work with Joni Mitchell - Gardot followed up her Verve debut with My One and Only Thrill.

In 2012, she released the album The Absence.

Bad News
Melody Gardot Lyrics

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There's a final curtain
There's the dotted line
No more celebration
No rum, no brandy, no sparkling wine
The bad news has arrived
It's closing time

Put on all your armor

March yourself in line
Swallow all your feelings
'Cause it's coming down to hit tonight
The bad news has arrived
It's closing time

Hide your sons and daughters
Keep their fragile minds
Let them read the papers
But cover up the bold headlines
The bad news has arrived
The bad news has arrived

The bad news has arrived
It's closing time

Overall Meaning

In the song Bad News by Melody Gardot, the lyrics depict a scene of finality and acceptance in the face of unwelcome news. The singer speaks of a "final curtain" and a "dotted line," perhaps alluding to death or the end of an era. The absence of celebration with alcohol also suggests a somber occasion. The repetition of the phrase "the bad news has arrived" emphasizes the severity of the situation and the inevitability of its impact.

The second verse brings a sense of urgency as the singer advises listeners to prepare themselves for the impending event. The use of military language such as "armor" and "march" creates a sense of gravity and reinforces the idea of facing a formidable foe. The call to "swallow all your feelings" suggests a need to suppress emotions in order to deal with the situation at hand.

The final verse speaks of protecting the innocent, particularly "sons and daughters" who require special care and consideration during difficult times. The line about covering up the "bold headlines" may represent an attempt to shield them from the worst aspects of the news. The repetition of the phrase "the bad news has arrived" reinforces the finality of the situation and the need to accept what has happened.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a final curtain
It's the end of something significant, like a show or a play.

There's the dotted line
A legal agreement or contract is ending, being signed, or possibly even being broken.

No more celebration
The good times, excitement, and joy usually associated with events like parties or other happy occasions, are now gone or have come to an end.

No rum, no brandy, no sparkling wine
There is no longer any entertainment, pleasure or luxury at the moment as there used to be before.

The bad news has arrived
Something terrible has occurred, which was previously unknown or hidden, and now everybody must face it or its consequences.

It's closing time
Just like the end of the business day or hours of a location, the current event or way of life is over and must be put behind them.

Put on all your armor
Have a thick skin, a strong attitude or mentality, as they are about to face challenges, unfairness or disheartening obstacles.

March yourself in line
Prepare themselves mentally for whatever is about to happen by making sure they are in control and taking charge of the situation.

Swallow all your feelings
The situation requires them to suppress or hide their emotions, particularly the negative ones, as they cope with what is happening.

'Cause it's coming down to hit tonight
This moment is going to be a difficult and painful one, but they must remain resolute in order to face it head-on.

Hide your sons and daughters
Protect the emotional well-being of their children from the news they are about to hear or from the outside world, which may threaten their innocence.

Keep their fragile minds
Due to the innocence and vulnerability of children, parents have to ensure that their minds are not damaged or negatively impacted by the event or situation.

Let them read the papers
Allow the children to have access to information on a need to know basis, specifically information that is age-appropriate for them.

But cover up the bold headlines
Shield children from the more frightening or distressing aspects of the news so that they are not traumatized or inadvertently frightened.

The bad news has arrived
Something terrible has occurred, which was previously unknown or hidden, and now everybody must face it or its consequences.

It's closing time
Just like the end of the business day or hours of a location, the current event or way of life is over and must be put behind them.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELODY GARDOT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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