The two families, the Watkinses and the Thiles, met after Sean Watkins and Chris Thile had mandolin lessons with the same music instructor, John Moore. Sara Watkins studied with Moore's bandmate, Dennis Caplinger. The band name came from a song by Byron Berline, who was Sara Watkins' fiddle instructor.
Nickel Creek's first performance was at That Pizza Place in Carlsbad, California in 1989 with Scott Thile, Chris's father, playing string bass. Sean Watkins was only twelve years old at the time. At the start Chris Thile played guitar and Sean Watkins played mandolin but later they decided to switch instruments. The band played many bluegrass festivals throughout the 1990s, and the band members were home-schooled to accommodate their tour schedule. Nickel Creek's first two albums were Little Cowpoke (1993) and Here to There (1997).
The group received two Grammy nominations: Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Instrumental for the song "Ode to a Butterfly". The trio was nominated at the CMA Awards for Best Vocal Group and the Horizon Award and were named one of the "Five Music Innovators of the Millennium" by TIME Magazine in May 2000. Nickel Creek's "The Lighthouse's Tale" video was nominated for a CMT "Flameworthy Video Award" for Group/Duo Video of the Year.
In 2002 the band released their fourth album, This Side, produced by Alison Krauss. It was a departure from their previous releases which were purely bluegrass. Although the core influence of bluegrass remained, other genres such as indie rock and folk rock were present in their music included cover songs Spit on a Stranger by Pavement, and Should've Known Better by Carrie Newcomer.
In 2005 the band released their fifth album, Why Should the Fire Die? with more rock and pop influences. The album debuted and peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard bluegrass chart.
In late summer 2006, via Billboard and their official website, Nickel Creek announced that at the end of the year they would no longer be recording as a group and their tour, scheduled through 2007, would be their last for an indefinite period of time so band members could expand their musical horizons.
The band had plans to record its final performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November 2007 but the idea was later "scrapped".
The band released a new album in the spring of 2014. They also played a handful of live shows and festival dates, including a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, the last venue the band played when it played its last show.
Eveline
Nickel Creek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grips the railing as her lover calls her to the sea
Won't you sail with me?
She can't hear
Guilt just a step away
From happiness
And sanity blurs
And drives her crazier
Eveline
Take care of your father
I cared for you
Words her dying mother spoke
Kill her too
Eveline stays
The lyrics of Nickel Creek's song Eveline depict the internal conflict of a woman named Eveline, as she stands on the threshold of a major life decision. Her lover calls her to the sea, asking her to sail away with him. However, Eveline is unable to move, gripped by the railing, and unable to hear him even though he is right there. The reason for her indecisiveness is suggested by the line "guilt just a step away from happiness." It implies that there is some unresolved issue in Eveline's past that prevents her from moving forward.
The song then hints at the root of Eveline's turmoil with the lines "take care of your father, I cared for you," which are said to have been spoken by her dying mother. The suggestion here is that Eveline's father may be dependent on her, and it is her responsibility to take care of him. The fact that her mother's dying words are to "kill her too" adds a layer of complexity to the already complicated situation. The words suggest that Eveline's mother felt trapped by her responsibilities and hopes Eveline would have the strength to make a different choice.
Overall, Nickel Creek's "Eveline" is a deeply emotional song that explores issues of responsibility, loyalty, and the weight of decisions. The evocative lyrics are matched by the song's haunting melody, making this a beautiful, melancholy composition that is sure to resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Eveline
The singer's name, and the title of the song.
Grips the railing as her lover calls her to the sea
Eveline is holding onto the railing while her lover is inviting her to come to the sea with him.
Won't you sail with me?
Her lover insists on sailing with him and wants her to come along.
She can't hear
Eveline is not listening to her lover's proposal, as she is lost in thought.
Guilt just a step away
Eveline is feeling guilty about leaving her father behind, but the opportunity to be with her lover is at hand.
From happiness
Eveline is considering sacrificing her happiness to look after her father.
And sanity blurs
Eveline is feeling confused and conflicted about what she wants.
And drives her crazier
Eveline is slowly losing her mind because of the dilemma she is in.
Eveline
The refrain, emphasizing the focus of the song.
Take care of your father
Eveline's mother's dying words, reminding her of her duty to her father.
I cared for you
Her mother expresses her love and concern for her daughter in her deathbed.
Words her dying mother spoke
The origin of the reminder to take care of her father.
Kill her too
Eveline feels trapped and suffocated by her family and her home life, as evidenced by her mother's death, and she may feel like she would effectively 'kill' herself if she were to stay in Dublin.
Eveline stays
The song ends with Eveline remaining where she is, the decision in her hands and the consequences of her choice unknown.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: CHRIS THILE, SEAN WATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind