She released her debut album, Ruby Blue, in June 2005 in the UK on Echo Records. "Ruby Blue" produced two singles "If We're In Love" and "Sow Into You". She released her second album Overpowered on 15 October 2007.
On 10 January 2008, Overpowered received a nomination for the Choice Music Prize in the Republic of Ireland; the award is given each year to an Irish artist who has proved to produce a critically acclaimed album. Also Overpowered ended at #30 on Metacritic Best of 2007 albums with a score of 82.
Her version of "Slave to Love" by Bryan Ferry is featured in the 2008 Gucci commercial starring actor James Franco. The single "Let Me Know" was produced by Groove Armada. Overpowered produced four singles: "Overpowered," "Let Me Know," "You Know Me Better" and "Movie Star."
In addition to her work with Moloko, Murphy has contributed her vocals to the works of other artists including Handsome Boy Modeling School and Boris Dlugosch, for whom she sang on the track, Never Enough, which became a huge club hit.
On 15 December 2009, Róisín gave birth to her first child; a baby girl she named Clodagh.
‘Róisín Machine’ is the next chapter of that ever unfolding, always compelling tale – a seamlessly edited, 10 years in the making collection of tracks produced in collaboration with her Sheffield pal DJ Parrot, at once her most unabashedly dance-floor ready yet deeply autobiographical work to date.
Scarlet Ribbons
Róisín Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My flesh and my bones
Is that the way it's supposed to be
How the story goes
Ribbons and bones
Like a thorn on a rose
When the one man who gave it all to you
Has to let you go
He found for me scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for my hair
What becomes of a father's love
When another has his daughter's love
Don't you know they'll never be here but
I'll always be your little girl
It's all borrowed time
And you always said I would regret it
If I grew up to fast
But my heart is strong and true
I'm doing fine
The things that you said
I won't forget them
I'll do as you ask
And always play fair for you
You found for me scarlet ribbons
Those scarlet ribbons for my hair
What becomes of a father's love
When another has his daughter's love
Don't you know they'll never be here but
I'll always be your little girl
There's a part of you
In every part of me (should know better)
Maybe you should know
I won't let that go
As long as I can cry on your shoulder
Won't be growing up
Just older
You have got to let me go
You found for me scarlet ribbons
Those scarlet ribbons for my hair
What becomes of a father's love
When another has his daughter's love
Don't you know they'll never be here but
I'll always be your little girl
I'll always be, always be your little girl
Always be, always be your little girl
Always be, always be your little girl
Always be your little girl
You have got to let it go, oh oh
You have got to let it go
You have got to let it go, oh
You have got to let it go
You have got to let it go, oh oh
You have got to let it go
The lyrics of Róisín Murphy's Scarlet Ribbons explore the complicated relationship between a father and daughter. The song touches on the themes of growing up, love, and loss. The opening lines "from the cradle to the floor, my flesh and my bones" suggest that the singer is reflecting on her life, from her birth to the present moment. She questions if the path she is on is what was meant to be, wondering if her life's story is merely following a predetermined plot. As the song progresses, the singer addresses her father, acknowledging the love he has given her and the sacrifices he has made. The line "when the one man who gave it all to you has to let you go" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer is moving on to a new chapter in her life.
The chorus of the song is centered around the metaphor of scarlet ribbons. The singer's father has given her these ribbons to wear in her hair, perhaps symbolizing his protection and affection towards her. The image of the scarlet ribbons represents the color of love and passion, and the fact that they are tied in her hair suggests that they are a constant presence in her life. The line "what becomes of a father's love when another has his daughter's love" hints at a conflict between the singer's father and another man in her life. The father's love is not forgotten, however, despite his daughter's growing independence and the presence of another man.
Overall, Róisín Murphy's Scarlet Ribbons is a touching and emotional song that captures the complexity of a father-daughter relationship. The lyrics explore the themes of growing up, love, and loss in a way that is both personal and universal.
Line by Line Meaning
From the cradle to the floor
From birth until now
My flesh and my bones
My physical form
Is that the way it’s supposed to be
Wondering if life should be like this
How the story goes
As is typical
Ribbons and bones, like a thorn on a rose
Physical and emotional contrasts
When the one man who gave it all to you has to let you go
When a father has to let his daughter grow up
He found for me scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for my hair
Father trying to make his daughter happy
What becomes of a father’s love when another has his daughter’s love
Father's love for his daughter when she grows up and falls in love with someone else
Don’t you know they’ll never be here but I’ll always be your little girl
Daughter will always cherish her father's love
It’s all borrowed time
Life is temporary
And you always said I would regret it if I grew up too fast
Father's advice to his daughter to enjoy her youth
But my heart is strong and true, I’m doing fine
Daughter is confident and doing well
The things that you said, I won’t forget them, I’ll do as you ask, and always play fair for you
Daughter will always remember her father's advice and honor him
There’s a part of you in every part of me (should know better)
Daughter has taken after her father
Maybe you should know, I won’t let that go
Daughter will always keep her father's influence
As long as I can cry on your shoulder
Daughter still needs her father's comfort
Won’t be growing up, just older
Daughter will mature but not forget her roots
You have got to let me go
Father needs to accept that his daughter is growing up
You have got to let it go
Father needs to let go of his daughter
I’ll always be, always be your little girl
Daughter will always be a part of her father
Always be your little girl
Daughter will always cherish her father's love
Contributed by Julia D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.