Venable performed in numerous theatrical and musical productions as a youth with the San Francisco-based Young People's Teen Musical Theater Company. She was also in the cast of the Lewis Carroll-themed musicals "Right Mind" and "Right Mind is Nowhere" directed by George Coates.
Her original one-act play "Annie Beckstead Does Her Homework" won at the Rocky Mountain Student Theater Project in Telluride, CO. She attended Bennington College as a Dramatic Writing and then a Music major before deciding to pursue music as a career.
In 2004 Venable moved to Brooklyn where she continues to compose and perform with longtime-collaborators Todd Sickafoose and Alan Lin. Her songs are noteworthy for their striking melodies and complex subject matter, and she invites comparison with musicians Elliott Smith and Mazzy Star.
Her albums include You Talking to Me? (1996), No Curses Here (1998), Down Easy (2000), Boots (2002), The World Is Bound by Secret Knots (2003), and The Summer Storm Journals (2007).
Noe is rumoured to have a second new album in the works, "a concept album-rock-opera-story thing" (the first being the recently released SSJ, a collection of songs), as stated on one of her rant room entries on her website.
Woods Part of When
Noe Venable Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and my apple heart
it will grow again
you can take these words
in your lips two hands
you can take these words
from the woods part of when
and a dress too tight
I have pressed my life
against sharpened things
and bled sentences
and shed innocence
like unwanted skin
in the woods part of when
I've wed the sun
and his golden man
just to hold some gold
in my hungry hand
but a silent bride
is a death too tight
so I left by night
for the woods part of when
like a groaning chain
I have worn beliefs
but now link by link
I have shattered them
for a soldier's soul
is a bootless thing
since I found my feet
in the woods part of when
and now love will
take us both apart
like a wave I play
on the shores of him
into sea shell ears
I am blowing words
just a song I heard
in the woods part of when
"you can take my body all apart
and my apple heart
it will grow again
you can take these words
in your lips two hands
you can taste these words..."
The lyrics of Noe Venable's "Woods Part of When" convey a sense of transformation and growth. The song's title itself points to a past place or time, possibly one that was filled with more pain and difficulty than the present moment. Throughout the song, Venable seems to be shedding old beliefs and shedding old skins, becoming more confident and sure of herself as she ventures into the unknown.
The first stanza sets the tone for this transformation, as Venable declares that her body and heart can be taken apart, but they will always grow back. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for resilience, as the physical self is able to renew itself, just as the emotional self can heal and grow stronger over time. She then goes on to speak of taking words from the "woods part of when," which could represent a time of youth or naivety.
In the second stanza, Venable describes her past experiences of conforming to societal expectations, of wearing "steep heels and a dress too tight," and of pressing her life against "sharpened things." Yet, she then speaks of breaking free from these constraints and shedding her old self like "unwanted skin."
The third stanza describes Venable's quest for riches and her eventual realization that material wealth is meaningless if it comes at the cost of her freedom. She speaks of being a "silent bride," constrained by a "death too tight," and eventually leaving everything behind for the "woods part of when."
The fourth and final stanza represents a turning point, as Venable speaks of breaking away from old beliefs and finding her own voice. She compares herself to a "groaning chain" that has shattered link by link, allowing her to find her true self. The final lines, "into sea shell ears I am blowing words, just a song I heard in the woods part of when," could be interpreted as a new beginning, as she sings a song that she found in a place of both peace and transformation.
Overall, "Woods Part of When" is a powerful and introspective song that reflects the journey of self-discovery and transformation. The repeated theme of shedding old skins and breaking free from constraints underscores the idea that growth and change are often difficult, but ultimately rewarding.
Line by Line Meaning
you can take my body all apart
My physical body is vulnerable, and can be dissected and dismembered.
and my apple heart
Even my heart, the essence of my being, is fragile and easily affected by outside forces.
it will grow again
But I will always be able to rebuild and regenerate myself, no matter how many times I am broken down.
you can take these words
My words and my voice are powerful and important, and can be taken from me by others.
in your lips two hands
They can use my words and voice to their advantage, manipulating and controlling me.
you can take these words
My words and voice have roots in the past and are intertwined with memories and experiences.
from the woods part of when
These memories and experiences are linked to a past time in my life, which I call the 'woods part of when.'
I have worn steep heels
I have tried to conform to societal norms and expectations, even at the expense of my own comfort and well-being.
and a dress too tight
I have forced myself into situations and roles that do not fit me, causing discomfort and pain.
I have pressed my life
I have pushed myself to extremes, sacrificing my own well-being and happiness for the sake of others or for a perceived goal.
against sharpened things
I have faced danger and risk in pursuit of my dreams and aspirations.
and bled sentences
I have poured my heart and soul into my writing and communication, even when it has caused pain or vulnerability.
and shed innocence
I have lost my naivety and trust in others as a result of my experiences and personal growth.
like unwanted skin
These losses and sacrifices have left me feeling exposed, raw, and uncomfortable.
in the woods part of when
But these experiences have all contributed to my personal growth and development, which all occurred during the 'woods part of when.'
I've wed the sun
I have pursued wealth and success at all costs, even at the expense of my own happiness and values.
and his golden man
I have sought the glory and validation that comes from societal success and wealth.
just to hold some gold
I have sacrificed my own well-being and values for the sake of material possessions and societal status.
in my hungry hand
But this pursuit has left me feeling empty, unsatisfied, and still hungry for true fulfillment and happiness.
but a silent bride
I have silenced my own voice and desires in the name of societal norms and expectations.
is a death too tight
But by living inauthentically and suppressing my own true self, I am suffocating and dying inside.
so I left by night
I made the brave decision to leave behind societal expectations and pursue my own path and truth.
for the woods part of when
This journey of self-discovery and personal growth occurred during the 'woods part of when.'
like a groaning chain
I have felt trapped and constrained by societal norms and expectations, which have acted as a heavy chain weighing me down.
I have worn beliefs
I have subscribed to societal beliefs and expectations without questioning them or examining their true value or meaning.
but now link by link
But I have begun to break free from these chains of societal expectations, one by one.
I have shattered them
I have rejected societal norms and expectations that do not align with my true values and beliefs.
for a soldier's soul
A soldier's soul is one that is stripped down, vulnerable, and true to oneself, and never bound by societal constraints or expectations.
is a bootless thing
But this type of soul is not valuable or respected by society, which instead reinforces conformity and adherence to societal norms and expectations.
since I found my feet
But I have found my own sense of strength, purpose, and direction through my journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
in the woods part of when
This growth and discovery occurred during the 'woods part of when.'
and now love will
My journey of self-discovery and personal growth has led me to a place of vulnerability and openness to love and connection with others.
take us both apart
But these relationships and connections are not easy or painless, and often require breaking down and rebuilding of oneself and one's relationships.
like a wave I play
But I approach these changes and challenges with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, as a child might approach a wave at the beach.
on the shores of him
These relationships and connections occur in the context of my connection with a specific individual, who I refer to as 'him.'
into sea shell ears
I share my words and voice with him, hoping to connect with and be understood by him.
I am blowing words
I am sharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences with him through my words and voice.
just a song I heard
But these words and experiences are not solely my own, and are influenced by the many songs and stories that I have encountered and internalized throughout my life.
in the woods part of when
These stories and experiences all occurred during the 'woods part of when,' and have contributed to my personal growth and development.
Contributed by Sophie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.