She has played everywhere, from warehouses to The Great American Music Hall, Maritime Hall, and Bottom of the Hill. She has shared stages with Damien Jurado, the Microphones, Mark Eitzel (American Music Club), Mirah, Mia Doi Todd, Jolie Holland, and Vienna Teng and appears on releases by Thee More Shallows, Charles Atlas and Dineh (singing in Finnish). She was a member of Thee More Shallows from 2004-2005 and Troia (SF Weekly Music Award) from 1995-1999.
She has studied classical voice and cello and sung in various early classical music choirs, but is a self-taught guitarist. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Cinders
Odessa Chen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
arms flung out and falling
embers and other beauties we see
afar distances, oh
that can’t be touched or known
and therefore can’t be at all
and wishing on the moon
or other beauties we see
afar distances, oh
that can’t be touched or known
and therefore can’t be ruined
oh….
cinders that strike our minds
so bright the whole place burns right down
all that’s left is me
all that’s left is you
and memories of light and sound
were do we go from here…California?
Arizona’s gone
it all seems like a defeat of sorts
or what comes after
and I’m too young
I’m too young for salvation
I’m too young for salvation, I’m too young
The song "Cinders" by Odessa Chen has an introspective and metaphorical tone, reflecting on the beauty and distance of fleeting moments and desires. The opening lyrics describe sparks falling while arms are flung out as if reaching towards these sparks. These sparks and embers represent moments of beauty that are seen from afar but cannot be physically touched or known, making them unattainable. Therefore, they cannot be ruined or lost.
The song then delves into the concept of wanting and wishing for the unattainable, such as the moon or other distant beauties. These desires are likened to the sparks and embers, representing moments that cannot be fully grasped but still hold a certain allure. The chorus of the song speaks about these desires as cinders that strike the mind so brightly that they burn everything down, leaving behind only memories of light and sound. The final stanza reflects on the aftermath of these moments and desires, wondering where to go from here and feeling too young to understand salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
the sparks come down
Emotions are heightened and intense in this moment.
arms flung out and falling
Surrendering completely to the emotions, despite not knowing where they will take you.
embers and other beauties we see
Pleasant memories from the past that are now out of reach, but still provide comfort.
afar distances, oh
These memories are so distant that they are almost impossible to grasp again.
that can’t be touched or known
The memories are untouchable and cannot be relived again in the same way.
and therefore can’t be at all
The memories cannot exist in reality anymore and can only exist in the mind.
It started out with wanting
The emotions began as a simple desire for something, but evolved into something deeper and more complex.
and wishing on the moon
The desire for something so great that it seems unreachable, much like wishing to touch the moon.
that can’t be touched or known
The thing that is desired is so distant that it cannot be touched or understood.
and therefore can’t be ruined oh….
Because the thing desired is out of reach, it cannot be destroyed or lost.
cinders that strike our minds
Memories that are constantly burning and leaving a lasting impact on the mind.
so bright the whole place burns right down
The memories are so vivid that they become overwhelming and all-consuming.
all that’s left is me
After the intense emotions have faded, the only thing left is the individual.
all that’s left is you
Memories of the person who sparked the emotions.
and memories of light and sound
The emotions are tied to specific sensory memories that can never be fully re-experienced.
were do we go from here…California?
Uncertainty about what happens next, and using California as a metaphor for moving on to a new beginning.
Arizona’s gone
Another metaphor for leaving the past behind and moving on to somewhere new.
it all seems like a defeat of sorts
Despite moving on, the past still feels like a failure, and there is a sense of loss associated with leaving it behind.
or what comes after
The fear of the unknown future after leaving the past behind.
and I’m too young
Feeling unprepared for the challenges that may arise in the future.
I’m too young for salvation
Feeling like there is no guaranteed escape from the past and its emotional weight.
I’m too young for salvation, I’m too young
The continued emphasis on feeling inadequate and unprepared for what's to come.
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.