The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.
Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.
Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.
How Does It Feel
Over the Rhine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I'd lose all my ground and see your smile decompose
So I rest on the fact that I love you I suppose
And I hang like the colors on a blind man's clothes
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on my mind
That steals through the spaces of your inward night
I'm the moth that's resting on your windowsill
With a lust for light and an iron will
Prey tell talk to me can you feel me in the fingers
Of the wind in your hair as if I'm standing there
Very well like a child running to some mademoiselle
In his hand to his ear is pressed a great seashell
I'm the moon-eyed fish swimming up to you
You're the tall Titanic but you'll be subdued
There's someone mapping out a rendezvous
It seems to me
You're in my shadow here in my room
Love's such a strange word here in my room
I'm standing barefoot here in my room
Sad as a gypsy here in my room
The lyrics to "How Does It Feel" by Over the Rhine are filled with imagery and metaphors that make this a complex and multi-dimensional love song. The first verse seems to deal with the fear that comes with revealing your true feelings to someone you love. The singer is hesitant to disclose his or her secrets because they are afraid that it will cause the object of their affection to turn away, or worse, to smile in contempt. The line "So I rest on the fact that I love you I suppose" is a resignation that he or she has to trust in the depth of their emotions because there are no assurances in love. The final line of the verse "And I hang like the colors on a blind man's clothes" is an ambiguous metaphor that suggests that the singer is trying to connect with someone who may not see the same colors that he or she does.
The second verse continues with the imagery of the singer as a ghost-like presence, a moth, and a moon-eyed fish, all symbolic of the singer's desire to be close to the object of their affection but also their inability to make that connection. The line "You're the tall Titanic but you'll be subdued" is a reference to the famous ship that sunk but was also an invincible symbol of power and grandeur. The line "It seems to me you're in my shadow here in my room" suggests that the singer is alone, perhaps staring at a photograph of the person they love, and imagining that the person is somehow present with them. The repetition of "here in my room" reinforces the intimacy and loneliness of the singer's desire.
In conclusion, "How Does It Feel" is a song that explores the complexities of love, the fear of rejection, and the power of imagination to create a connection between two people even when they are physically apart. The metaphors and images in the lyrics are rich and evocative, creating a layered and emotional portrait of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if I could disclose secrets heaven only knows
If only I could reveal my secrets, but it seems impossible.
If I'd lose all my ground and see your smile decompose
I'm scared that if I reveal too much, I'll lose everything I have, including your love.
So I rest on the fact that I love you I suppose
The only thing that keeps me going is my love for you, even though it might not be reciprocated.
And I hang like the colors on a blind man's clothes
I feel worthless and unimportant, like the colors on a blind man's clothes that no one can see.
How does it feel
I wonder how it feels to be on your mind.
To be on my mind
I can't stop thinking about you, and I wonder if you ever think about me too.
I'm the pale moon rising I'm the ghost in flight
I feel like a ghost, haunting you from afar, always present but never really there.
That steals through the spaces of your inward night
I sneak into your thoughts at night, but you're always asleep and unaware of my presence.
I'm the moth that's resting on your windowsill
I'm drawn to you like a moth to a flame, but I'm always on the outside looking in, never able to truly reach you.
With a lust for light and an iron will
Even though I know I might never have you, I'm still determined to try.
Prey tell talk to me can you feel me in the fingers
Do you ever feel my presence, like a ghostly touch on your skin?
Of the wind in your hair as if I'm standing there
Sometimes I feel like I'm right there with you, even though you can't see me.
Very well like a child running to some mademoiselle
I'm like a child seeking something he can't have, searching for answers in the wrong places.
In his hand to his ear is pressed a great seashell
I'm always listening for something that might never come, like a child holding a seashell to his ear, hoping to hear the waves.
I'm the moon-eyed fish swimming up to you
I'm like a fish swimming upstream, trying to get closer to you, but it's a futile effort.
You're the tall Titanic but you'll be subdued
You're like a giant ship, unsinkable and unbreakable, but even the strongest things can be brought down.
There's someone mapping out a rendezvous
I still hold out hope that someday we'll meet, even though it might never happen.
It seems to me
This is just my perception, but it might not be true.
You're in my shadow here in my room
You're always on my mind, even when you're not physically here with me.
Love's such a strange word here in my room
Love feels different when you're alone, without anyone to share it with.
I'm standing barefoot here in my room
I feel vulnerable and exposed, like I've been stripped of all my defenses.
Sad as a gypsy here in my room
I feel like a wanderer without a home, lost and alone in my own thoughts.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARIN MICHELE BERGQUIST, LINFORD JEROME DETWEILER, RICHARD A. HORDINSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind