As well as performing solo, Paul has also toured internationally as a guitarist with the famous '60s legend Donovan, Welsh Breton songstress Katell Keineg, Kieran Halpin and platinum selling Irish singer Sinead Lohan whilst also guesting with the HotHouse Flowers, Mary Black, Christy Moore and Beth Orton.
Following on the success of his first album, he formed a trio with Kevin Murphy on cello and Colm McCaughey on fiddle bringing to the music an unusual sense of melody crossing over the rock-traditional-folk divide.
This distinctive combination has so far resulted in a successful tour of America and Scandinavia in 1994, a stunning performance at the international South by Southwest music seminar in Texas in 1995, tours and festivals in Switzerland and in Germany throughout the last ten years and a string of vibrant performances to wildly enthusiastic crowds all over Ireland.
The debut album was followed by a more "electric" album called "Virgoville" in 1998. Paul released his third album "God knows i love a happy ending" in 2002, an enthralling, swirling mixture of strings and voices and is at the moment working on his fourth album.
Recently Paul appeared on the Irish television series 'Other voices' featuring the best of Irish singer songwriters. One of Paul's songs 'Belle' has been included in the top ten Irish album of the same name.
Paul has also recently joined Irish cult band Interference who have been described as being one of the seminal influences on the likes of well known Irish artists, The Frames and Mundy.
Paul has a song (the title track) covered by one of Ireland's most popular singers, Kieran Goss, on his last album 'Red Letter Day'.
One of Paul’s songs ‘how to say goodbye’ is in an American film ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite playlist’….recently a top 10 box office hit in the USA and to be released worldwide in 2009.
Paul Tiernan released his fourth CD entitled ‘Belle’ in 2005 which CDbaby (the worlds biggest online distributor of independent cds) wrote: ‘this is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable male folk albums to come through our doors in years.’
‘Earthquakes start with little cracks’ , Paul’s latest CD was released in Ireland on March 2nd, 2009. The opening song ‘Breakfast in bed’ has already been voted on of the best songs of 2008 by ‘Rock n’ Folk’ , one of France’s most popular music magazines.
For tour info, audio samples & CD purchases see Paul's homepage.
Paul Tiernan - discography:
Who's Fooling Who? (1995)
Virgoville (1998)
God Knows I Love a Happy Ending (2000)
Belle (2004)
Earthquakes start with little cracks (2008)
Coming Up For Air
Paul Tiernan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To build us a boat that will... get us out of here,
We've been drifting on trade winds and too many beers,
But now she feels ready so she's coming up for air...
And save some of herself from all of those people
That think they know who she is
Think they know better
To anything or anyone
She's driving through traffic and counting all the cars
And wonders if she's thinking the same things as we are
And if running is escaping, well, that's all right with her
She's been too long at the bottom,
Now she's coming up for air
And save some of herself from all of those people
That think they know who she is
Think they know better
She'll save some of herself from dreams that will never come
To anything or anyone
It's cold and she's older, she's stayed in bed too long
And melancholy's okay if you're living in the sun,
She can't sleep, we can't wake up, she's forgotten how to smile
She's been too long at the bottom
Now she's coming up to try
And save some of herself...
The song "Coming Up For Air" by Paul Tiernan is a poignant representation of a person's journey to self-discovery and recovery from the shackles of life. The opening lines "She still has her hammer but she can't find the nails to build us a boat that will get us out of here" suggests that the singer is feeling stuck in her current situation and lacks the tools to rise above it. She has been drifting aimlessly, drowning her sorrows in alcohol, but now she feels ready to face the world again, and hence is 'coming up for air.'
The song then goes on to explore the need to preserve oneself from the opinions and expectations of others. The phrase "save some of herself from all of those people that think they know who she is, think they know better" indicates the struggle and pressure to conform to societal standards and find one's place in the world. The lyrics further delve into the despair and loneliness that can consume us when we forget who we are while trying too hard to fit in.
The song's chorus repeats itself twice, stressing the importance of taking control of one's life and saving oneself from unfulfilled dreams and self-doubt. The final lines, "She's been too long at the bottom, now she's coming up to try, and save some of herself" offer a glimmer of hope, emphasizing the importance of taking small steps towards self-growth and recovery after hitting rock bottom.
Line by Line Meaning
She still has her hammer but she can't find the nails,
Although she still has the tools, she is struggling to put them into use due to a lack of resources.
To build us a boat that will... get us out of here,
She is trying to create a solution that will help them escape their current situation.
We've been drifting on trade winds and too many beers,
They have been wandering aimlessly and indulging in unhealthy habits.
But now she feels ready so she's coming up for air...
She is finally ready to take a breath and start anew.
And save some of herself from all of those people
She wants to reserve some of her energy and identity from the people who wrongly believe they know her.
That think they know who she is
People have preconceived notions about her personality and character.
Think they know better
People assume their own opinions are superior to hers.
She'll save some of herself from dreams that will never come
She wants to protect herself from wasting time and energy pursuing unattainable dreams.
To anything or anyone
These dreams will not result in any positive outcomes for her or those around her.
She's driving through traffic and counting all the cars
She is lost in thought, distracted by the mundane experiences in her life.
And wonders if she's thinking the same things as we are
She contemplates whether her inner thoughts match those of her peers.
And if running is escaping, well, that's all right with her
If escaping means running away from her past, she is okay with it.
She's been too long at the bottom,
She has been stuck in a negative place for a long time.
Now she's coming up for air
She is finally taking a breath and beginning to move towards growth and change.
It's cold and she's older, she's stayed in bed too long
She has been complacent and avoided facing the realities of life.
And melancholy's okay if you're living in the sun,
Being sad and reflective is acceptable in good times, but not in bad times.
She can't sleep, we can't wake up, she's forgotten how to smile
She is struggling to find joy and positivity in life due to her emotional state.
She's been too long at the bottom
She has been stuck in a negative place for a long time.
Now she's coming up to try
She is trying to emerge from her depression.
And save some of herself...
She wants to reserve some of her energy and identity for herself.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.