Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".
Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.
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Wolves
Phosphorescent Lyrics
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Mama they won't let me out
Mama they're mating at night
Mama they wont make nice
They're pacing and glowing bright
Their faces all snowy and white
Bury their paws in the stone
They tumble and fight
And they're beautiful
On the hilltops at night
They are beautiful
Blazing with light
Is the whitest and the tallest and the biggest one
She's muscled and fine
When she runs
They're tearing up holes in the house
They're tearing their claws in the ground
They're staring with blood in their mouths
Mama they won't let me out
They tumble and fight
And they're beautiful
On the hilltops at night
They are beautiful
Blazing with light
Is the whitest and the tallest and the biggest one
All muscled and fine
When she runs
Mama there's wolves in the house
Mama I tried to put them out
And mama I know you're too wise
To wait till those wolves make nice
The song "Wolves" by Phosphorescent is a vivid depiction of one's feeling of being trapped in a situation that they cannot escape from. The song's lyrics depict a person who is trapped in a house with wolves who are aggressive and won't let him/her out. The wolves are described as pacing and glowing bright with faces all snowy and white. The person describes how the wolves bury their paws in the stone and make the person's heart their home. They tumble and fight, but the person can't help but find them beautiful on the hilltops at night.
The imagery of the wolves tearing up holes in the house and their claws in the ground, staring with blood in their mouths creates a sense of danger and fear. Despite the fear, the person realizes the wolves' beauty and acknowledges the muscled and fine physique of the whitest, tallest, and biggest one. The person then turns to his/her mother for help, but he/she knows that she is too wise to wait for these wolves to make nice.
In summary, "Wolves" is a song that displays the complexities of fear and beauty. The person trapped with the wolves is both afraid and awestruck by their nature, and this mixture of feelings creates a deep sense of unease.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama there's wolves in the house
There are people in my life, who are causing trouble and pain
Mama they won't let me out
I feel trapped and helpless because of them
Mama they're mating at night
They are conspiring and planning against me behind my back
Mama they won't make nice
They are not interested in reconciliation or friendship
They're pacing and glowing bright
Their energy and intensity is palpable
Their faces all snowy and white
They appear innocent and harmless, but are actually dangerous
Bury their paws in the stone
They are entrenched and will not be moved easily
Make for my heart as their home
They are seeking to dominate and control me
They tumble and fight
They are aggressive and competitive
And they're beautiful
Despite their flaws, there is something captivating about them
On the hilltops at night
They are most dangerous when they have the advantage
Blazing with light
Their power and influence is blinding
Is the whitest and the tallest and the biggest one
The most dominant among them is also the most imposing
She's muscled and fine
Her strength and beauty are evident
When she runs
She is unstoppable
They're tearing up holes in the house
They are undermining and destroying everything I hold dear
They're tearing their claws in the ground
Their aggression is all-consuming
They're staring with blood in their mouths
They are hungry for power and control
Mama they won't let me out
I feel trapped and unable to escape their influence
Mama I tried to put them out
I have done everything in my power to get rid of them
And mama I know you're too wise
I trust that you have the insight and experience to help me
To wait till those wolves make nice
To not be fooled by their attempts at reconciliation unless they are genuine
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW HOUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind