No Evolution
Orenda Fink Lyrics


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It was the year of the floor
It was the hand of god
The strength of a monsoon
A revolution

I put my hand in the cup
Drew my name from the mud
I had changed it once before
But that didn't change things

We still came
We still come
And we still go
But I can't live without you, though

I put my face to the glass
But it's you that stares back
I had changed it once before
But that didn't change things

The year of the drought
It was the hand of god
The absence of water
Made us fearful

After all I could find
Were the wells of my mind
I had changed it once before
But that didn't change things

No evolution
No evolution

I know there's a circle of death and birth
But I won't wait and lose you to this big black earth
I say

No evolution
No evolution

I put my hand on your face
With men laws to replace
The ones that say that
We must leave each other one day

I said

No evolution
No evolution
No evolution

We still came




We still came
And we still go

Overall Meaning

The song "No Evolution" by Orenda Fink is a poignant and introspective piece that showcases the artist's ability to deliver thought-provoking lyrics. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the track, as Fink sings about a momentous year that was defined by a divine force. She then goes on to touch upon the enduring power of change, as evident in the line, "I had changed it once before, but that didn't change things." Here, Fink seems to be saying that while some things may be within our control, often the forces of nature, fate, and circumstance are beyond our influence.


The middle section of the song continues to explore the themes of change and impermanence. Fink sings about the year of the drought, which like the year of the floor, was marked by a Hand of God. The lack of water made people fearful, underscoring the fact that humankind is at the mercy of nature. Despite the challenges of the world, however, Fink persists in her resolve not to let go of the person she loves. She sings that she won't "wait and lose you to this big black earth." In the final section of the song, Fink puts her hand on her lover's face and declares that no man-made law will force them apart.


* Interesting facts about the song:
1. "No Evolution" is part of Orenda Fink's solo debut album titled "Invisible Ones," released in 2005.
2. Orenda Fink is an American singer-songwriter who is best known for her work as one-half of the duo Azure Ray.
3. The album "Invisible Ones" features collaborations with musicians from various genres, including Deathcab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst.
4. Fink wrote most of the songs on the album while traveling through India and Nepal.
5. In an interview with the website Indie Shuffle, Fink revealed that she wrote "No Evolution" as a response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated her hometown of New Orleans.
6. Fink is known for her haunting vocals and for lending her voice to various film and TV soundtracks, including Grey's Anatomy, The L Word, and The Vampire Diaries.
7. Fink has also released albums under the moniker O+S and has collaborated with other artists, such as Moby and Cursive.
8. In addition to her music career, Fink is also a painter and has exhibited her art in galleries across the US.
9. Fink's musical style is often described as ethereal, dreamy, and atmospheric, with influences ranging from 1960s psychedelic rock to electronic music.
10. Fink is a founding member of the record label and artist collective Saddle Creek.


* Chords:
The chords for "No Evolution" are not available, as the artist has not released the official chord chart.


Line by Line Meaning

It was the year of the floor
Refers to a particular year that was significant for the singer for reasons that remain unclear.


It was the hand of god
Indicates that some divine force or influence played a role in the events of the significant year mentioned in the previous line.


The strength of a monsoon
Symbolically represents the magnitude of the event(s) that occurred during the significant year.


A revolution
Suggests that the events of the significant year were transformative and may have sparked change in some way.


I put my hand in the cup
Refers to an action taken by the singer, likely symbolic of seeking clarity or understanding in the wake of the events of the significant year.


Drew my name from the mud
Symbolizes an attempt to reclaim one's identity and sense of self in the wake of transformative events.


I had changed it once before
Indicates that the singer has undergone transformation or reinvention in the past.


But that didn't change things
Suggests that despite the singer's past changes or transformation, the events of the significant year had an impact that could not be so easily undone.


We still came
Refers to the singer and likely others still going about their lives, despite the transformative events of the significant year.


We still come
Suggests that individuals continue to live their lives and experience events.


And we still go
Reiterates that individuals continue to move through life, regardless of what happens to them.


But I can't live without you, though
Indicates that the singer feels deeply connected to someone, and cannot conceive of living without them.


I put my face to the glass
Symbolizes looking deeply inward, perhaps in contemplation or introspection.


But it's you that stares back
Suggests that the singer's true self is inextricably linked to the person they feel connected to.


The year of the drought
Refers to a different significant year from the one mentioned at the beginning of the song.


It was the hand of god
Indicates that some other divine force or influence played a role in the events of this other significant year.


The absence of water
Symbolizes a lack of emotional sustenance or nourishment.


Made us fearful
Indicates that the absence of emotional sustenance caused anxiety or fear in the singer or others involved.


After all I could find
Refers to some form of searching or seeking, likely for emotional sustenance or understanding.


Were the wells of my mind
Suggests that the singer was only able to find answers or clarity through introspection or reflection.


But that didn't change things
Reiterates that, despite searching for answers, the events of the second significant year could not be so easily undone.


No evolution
Suggests that the singer feels stuck or stagnant and unable to move forward in the face of transformative events.


I know there's a circle of death and birth
Acknowledges the cyclical nature of life and that all things eventually come to an end.


But I won't wait and lose you to this big black earth
Indicates that the singer desires to hold onto the person they feel connected to for as long as possible, even as they are aware that all things eventually end.


I say
Suggests that the following statement or sentiment is particularly important, perhaps as a summary or thesis of the song's overall message.


No evolution
Reiterates the singer's sentiment that they feel unable to move forward or progress in the wake of transformative events.


I put my hand on your face
Symbolizes closeness or intimacy with the person the singer feels connected to.


With men laws to replace
Suggests that societal conventions or expectations may be standing in the way of the singer's desire to hold onto their connection with the other person.


The ones that say that
Refers to specific social conventions or expectations that the singer feels may interfere with their ability to stay connected to the other person.


We must leave each other one day
Refers to the inevitability of parting ways due to death.


We still came
Reiterates that individuals continue to live through transformative events and continue to move forward.


We still came
Suggests that individuals continue to move through life, regardless of what happens to them.


And we still go
Indicates that people still move through the world, despite transformative events.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ORENDA FINK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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