Richards grew up in San Francisco, the daughter of Ted and Teresa Richards, stars of the underground comics revolution. Her father created The 40 Year Old Hippie; her mother was one of the founding editors and contributors of Wimmin’s Comix in the 1970’s. “Growing up, I got the message that if you do what you love to do, money will follow, just not a lot of it.” It was a very Bohemian upbringing to put it lightly.
Richards played in school bands, but never considered music as a profession until her senior year of high school, when fate offered a unique hand. Her best friend began dating Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Hammett taught Richards a few songs on guitar. “As soon as I knew how to play, I started writing and everything just clicked. Eventually I got a piano to expand my musical repertoire.”
Richards recorded her first demo in Hammett’s basement studio. Dave Deresinski, the then manager of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, passed the recording along to singer Anton Newcombe, who asked Richards to sing with the group. Shortly thereafter, Ondi Timoner began filming the BJM for her seminal documentary DIG! (2004). In one scene, a hiker observed the all white-clad members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre and friends gathered on a mountain top location. “Excuse me,” he asked, “is this a cult or a photo shoot?” Miranda ------then candidly replied, “Honestly sir, I don’t know the answer to that question.”
Richards had since moved down the coast to LA to further pursue a music career. “I played clubs and open mics while I worked odd jobs and made demos. A mutual friend introduced me to Rick Parker (producer/musician who went on to work with BRMC and The Von Bondies), and we’ve been working together ever since.” After recording a few sets of demos, she signed with Virgin, and began tracking her debut, The Herethereafter.
The Herethereafter (credits include Jon Brion and David Campbell) enjoyed critical acclaim, and over 40 film and TV licenses that allowed her to continue playing music full time. Since it’s release, Miranda has collaborated in the studio with Tricky, Tim Burgess (Charlatans), Neil Halstead (Mojave Three), Joe Firstman, and The Shore. She joined The Jesus and Mary Chain for the West Coast leg of their 2007 tour, singing duets with Jim Reid on “Sometimes Always” and “Just like Honey.” In the fall of 2007, she toured the UK in support of a vinyl single called “Life Boat” on Sonic Cathedral; in early 2008, she supported Tim Finn (Crowded House), and in late August she supported Neil Halstead, both on solo acoustic tours. The Early November EP was released digitally November 4, 2008 on Nettwerk Records; the full-length sophomore effort, Light of X, is due for worldwide release February 10, 2009.
Light of X is moody and introspective, the kind of music to play while you’re getting dressed up at night, sitting by the phone, and waiting for it to ring. The album fairly shimmers with folk, country, psychedelic, and even classical influences. Richards and Parker assembled a top-notch group of players including Eva Gardner (Mars Volta, Tim Burgess) on bass; main drummer Keith Mitchell (Mazzy Star); Ben Peeler (Wallflowers, Shelby Lynne) on pedal steel, and Josh Schwartz (Beachwood Sparks) on guitar. Rick Parker produced, engineered, mixed the record, and played guitar; Richards composed the material including string arrangements, and played acoustic guitar, piano, and organ.
As a songwriter, Richards has an uncanny knack of finding the diamonds in the dust of every day life and the relationships within. She’s able to look at an average moment and describe it in a way that transforms it into something much more powerful, a talent evident on every tack of Light of X. The album balances Richards’ beautiful, close to the heart vocals, with music that has the wide open, spacious feel of a desert sky or an empty church. Call it Ambient Americana, or Richards’ self coined term ‘Psychedelic Chamber Folk Rock’ if you like, Light of X is an album full of love and loss, desolation and salvation, both moody and comforting.
“Courtney Taylor from the Dandy Warhols calls my genre ‘Pixie Fairy Dust Chick Music,’” Miranda Lee Richards laughs, from her home in Los Angeles. “But I think another fitting description for Light of X might be ‘Psychedelic Chamber Folk Rock.’”
Golden Gate
Miranda Lee Richards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine on blades of grass
Purpose dance beneath us
Perfection comes to reign
Arrive at the Golden Gate
Ride ever high
There's no turning back now
But you were living in the void
Feeling low
Yes you
Tree of Life give or take
Free as you will
Patterns sorting rearrange
Sequence falls in line
But you
Were living in the void
Feeling low
Yes you
Who dare disturb the beast?
Warriors of the Golden Army
Setting intentions in their bows
Piercing the heart of the unknown
Staking claim upon higher ground
Roses of victory in your crown
In all that ever was
In all that's ever been
An unveiling of eternity
Accountability and honor
The polarization of words
Intuition versus experience
The randomness of perfection
Beyond the fear of the unknown
Your presents within your presence
Your will and the highest will manifest
Spanning the bridges of time and space
That visceral sense of wonder and magic
Summoning the spirit and all that it means
To find joy and fascination in what you are creating
You are free, and you have always been free to choose again
Is there such thing as integration of
Heart and mind, conscious and subconscious?
Do you view right and wrong in terms of absolutes?
Why does the voice of the heart reign supreme?
Have you learned to love unconditionally?
Do you let your higher self be your guide?
Are you able to give AND receive?
Do you embrace the unexpected?
Is morality subjective or sacred?
Why do you want those things?
Where does darkness reside?
What is your true desire?
What are you creating?
Why are you here?
OM
OM
BREAK FREE!
The lyrics to Miranda Lee Richards's song Golden Gate showcase a sense of hope and empowerment. The song speaks to the idea that no matter how low you may feel, there is always an opportunity to arrive at a better place and be free. It suggests that by living in harmony with the natural patterns of life, we can unlock greater potential within ourselves and tap into a higher level of consciousness.
The opening lyrics describe the beauty and purpose of the natural world ("See the light that's here today/Shine on blades of grass/Purpose dance beneath us"), and how we can align ourselves with this energy ("Perfection comes to reign"). The chorus speaks to the idea of arriving at the Golden Gate, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for reaching a state of enlightenment or higher consciousness. It suggests that once we've begun this journey, there's no turning back and nothing that can stop us from reaching our destination ("There's no turning back now/There's nothing in the way").
The second verse speaks to the idea of the Tree of Life and the power we have to rearrange the patterns of our lives ("Tree of Life give or take/Free as you will/Patterns sorting rearrange/Sequence falls in line"). The chorus repeats, and then the final section of the song speaks to the idea of overcoming obstacles and achieving victory ("Who dare disturb the beast?/Warriors of the Golden Army/Staking claim upon higher ground/Roses of victory in your crown"). The song ends with a series of questions addressing topics such as personal growth, morality, and the nature of existence, culminating in the exhortation to "BREAK FREE!"
Line by Line Meaning
See the light that's here today
Recognize and appreciate the beauty and positivity in the present moment
Shine on blades of grass
Bring light and warmth to all areas of life, even the smallest and most overlooked
Purpose dance beneath us
The world is imbued with meaning and energy that supports and uplifts us
Perfection comes to reign
In moments where everything feels aligned and harmonious, there is a sense of perfection that reigns
Arrive at the Golden Gate
Embark on a journey of self-discovery towards a higher state of being
Ride ever high
Maintain a positive and uplifted outlook, even in the face of challenges or uncertainty
There's no turning back now
Once the quest for self-discovery has begun, it cannot be undone
There's nothing in the way
Obstacles may arise, but they can be overcome with determination and intention
But you were living in the void
Before embarking on the journey, there was a sense of emptiness or lack in one's life
Feeling low
This emptiness manifested as feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Yes you
The singer is addressing the listener directly, acknowledging their struggle
Tree of Life give or take
Life can be both giving and taking, ebbs and flows of energy and experience
Free as you will
Each individual has the power to make choices and determine their own path
Patterns sorting rearrange
As life progresses, patterns emerge and can be shifted or reorganized to support growth and transformation
Sequence falls in line
When things fall into place, there is a sense of order and rightness
Who dare disturb the beast?
What obstacles or challenges lie ahead on the journey towards self-discovery?
Warriors of the Golden Army
Those who are brave and committed to the journey forward
Setting intentions in their bows
Focusing energy and attention towards a specific goal
Piercing the heart of the unknown
Facing fears and stepping into the unknown to gain deeper understanding
Staking claim upon higher ground
Making progress towards a higher state of being
Roses of victory in your crown
Recognition and reward for overcoming obstacles and making progress
In all that ever was
Throughout all of history and time
In all that's ever been
All experiences and events that have ever occurred
An unveiling of eternity
The deeper mystery and wonder of existence is always present and waiting to be discovered
Accountability and honor
Living with integrity and taking responsibility for one's actions
The polarization of words
The duality and inherent opposition between different concepts or ideologies
Intuition versus experience
The interplay between instinct and learned knowledge
The randomness of perfection
Perfection is not a static, unchanging ideal, but rather can manifest in unexpected ways
Beyond the fear of the unknown
Letting go of fear and embracing the mystery of existence
Your presents within your presence
Your personal energy and essence can have a powerful impact on the world around you
Your will and the highest will manifest
When individuals align their personal desires with the greater good, greatness can be achieved
Spanning the bridges of time and space
Connecting people, places, and events across vast distances and time periods
That visceral sense of wonder and magic
A deep and unexplainable feeling of awe, reverence, and appreciation for the world around us
Summoning the spirit and all that it means
Calling on internal strength, wisdom, and guidance to move forward
To find joy and fascination in what you are creating
Approaching life with a sense of curiosity, excitement, and delight in the act of creation
You are free, and you have always been free to choose again
Even when faced with difficulty or challenging circumstances, individuals always have the power to choose a new path forward
Is there such thing as integration of
Implies a larger concept or philosophical question
Heart and mind, conscious and subconscious?
Can different aspects of one's psyche be integrated or reconciled?
Do you view right and wrong in terms of absolutes?
Is morality an absolute code, or is it more flexible?
Why does the voice of the heart reign supreme?
Why is it important to listen to one's intuition or inner voice?
Have you learned to love unconditionally?
Can individuals love without expectation or judgment?
Do you let your higher self be your guide?
Can individuals learn to connect with and allow for guidance from a higher power?
Are you able to give AND receive?
In relationships or other situations, is it possible to balance giving and receiving?
Do you embrace the unexpected?
Can individuals find joy or opportunity in unexpected situations?
Is morality subjective or sacred?
Continues the philosophical inquiry into the nature of morality
Why do you want those things?
Encourages self-reflection and critical thinking about one's desires and motivations
Where does darkness reside?
Asks a broader question about the nature of darkness and evil
What is your true desire?
Encourages deeper introspection about what one truly wants or needs
What are you creating?
Examines the role individuals play in creating their own life and experiences
Why are you here?
Asks a more existential question about the meaning and purpose of life
OM
A spiritual chant often used in meditation or yoga
BREAK FREE!
A rallying call to break free from limiting beliefs or self-imposed limitations
Writer(s): Miranda Richards, Derek Brown, Jeffrey Gross
Contributed by Gabriella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@simplechronology2605
Why don't more people know and love her music?
@HarikrishnanHG
When I first heard this, I got that sense of false nostalgia I get when I listen to songs from the 90s. The guitar parts may as well have been written by The Verve. The vocals actually sound like Lush. I was really surprised to find out that this came out in 2017. Brilliant stuff!
@JavRivera
Damn...this has such an intense ending. For me, it's the stand out track from the album. Love it!
@RAMrkry
thank you so much light worker
@MTBSelfieStickGuy
Lyrics are so good. Came here to find out what she might be abstracting for golden gate (heaven maybe). And either golden army
@mercerino
Just heard this on the radio today. Epic! We'll be listening to more Miranda, excited to hear something new.
@seanstrider2185
My favourite song from the album. Brilliant.
@RAMrkry
Wow !!!
@thegatsbys6309
wonderful work
@jeffroberts_tunes
Too funny to find you loving this also, or maybe no surprise at all... : )