Yamagata became the vocalist for the Chicago funk-fusion band Bumpus, spending six years with them while writing and recording three albums and touring the country. However, she began to write songs which took on a style that conflicted with the funk vision of the band. In 2001, Yamagata decided to take those songs and pursue a solo career. In September 2002, she landed a two-record deal with Arista's Private Music label, and her EP was released in October.
She also made an appearance in Jason Mraz's second album, singing a song with him called Did You Get My Message?
She also teamed with with Toots & the Maytals to sing Blame On Me.
She also worked with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals on their first album Cold Roses. On that album, where she is credited as: "Our little sis", she did some vocals and played "listenable" piano on the tracks 'Let It Ride', 'Cold Roses' and 'Friends'.
Yamagata sang with Rhett Miller on Fireflies from his 2006 release The Believer.
Her songs have featured on several TV shows, including How I Met Your Mother, ER , Nip/Tuck, Men in Trees, Alias, One Tree Hill, Brothers & Sisters and The O.C., to which she made a guest performance in season 2. Yamagata also contributed a song to Mandy Moore's 2007 album, Wild Hope. She also toured with Moore, opening many of her shows around the country.
Yamagata's second studio album is Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart. That album was released on October 7, 2008.
On October 9th, 2008, a two-song live acoustic video performance premiered on LiveDaily Sessions, featuring the songs "Faster" and "Sunday Afternoon".
Her highly acclaimed CD Chesapeake premiered on October 11, 2011, and was followed by an extensive tour.
On April 23, 2016, Yamagata released an acoustic version of Happenstance, Acoustic Happenstance. Later that year, she released her fourth studio album, Tightrope Walker on September 23.
Elephants
Rachael Yamagata Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains dirtying up their beds
Watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young then tell me how did you slip by
And I am dreaming of them with their kill tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking in too hearts
And how dare that you say you will call when you know I need some peace of mind
If you had to take sides with the animals won't you do it with one who is kind?
If the hawks in the trees need the dead if you're living you don't stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed but there are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wounds just in time or lie there as he feeds
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed
So for those of you falling in love keep it kind keep it good keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night
The lyrics to Rachael Yamagata's song "Elephants" are rich with symbolism and metaphor, touching on themes of memory, anger, instinct, and survival. The verse about elephants highlights their ability to remember their past lives, which suggests that memory and the ability to recall it are not limited to humans alone. The mention of their screaming and tempestuous natures parallels the emotions experienced by humans. The chorus shifts the focus to the singer's own memories and emotions, expressed through animal imagery. The tiger protecting its young, the hawk feeding on the dead, and the person fleeing or getting ripped to shreds all reflect the singer's internal conflict.
The second verse uses the image of a tiger protecting its young to ask how the person who hurt the singer was able to slip by undetected. The singer's instincts, which were meant to protect them, failed, leaving them vulnerable. The image of animals tearing apart their kill with blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking into hearts is a brutal description of the pain and hurt caused by the person. The bridge makes the plea to take sides with one who is kind, meaning that if one must choose sides, they should choose compassion.
The final verse switches to addressing those falling in love, advising them to be kind, good, and right. The imagery of danger and a need to keep one eye open at night underscores the fragility of relationships and the need to protect oneself.
Overall, the lyrics of "Elephants" use animal imagery to convey complex emotions and relationships, urging listeners to be kind and compassionate.
Line by Line Meaning
If the elephants have past lives yet are destined to always remember
Elephants, like humans, have a memory that lasts across generations.
It's no wonder how they scream
It's understandable for elephants to express themselves vocally given their powerful memory.
Like you and I they must have some temper
Just like humans, elephants have emotions and can sometimes have a temper.
And I am dreaming of them on the plains dirtying up their beds
The artist is having a dream of elephants in their natural habitat, doing what they do best.
Watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads
The artist is observing how elephants use rain as a way to regulate their body temperature when they get too hot.
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do
The singer feels angry and frustrated that someone sent them a card, distracting them from their current efforts.
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you
The singer is being reminded of something or someone they want to forget, causing them emotional distress.
If the tiger shall protect her young then tell me how did you slip by
The artist is questioning how someone was able to hurt them, given how fiercely a mother tiger protects her young.
All my instincts have failed me for once I must have somehow slept the whole night
The artist is admitting that they made a mistake and didn't follow their instincts, resulting in them being harmed.
And I am dreaming of them with their kill tearing it all apart
The artist is dreaming about how predators like tigers go about their business of hunting and eating their prey.
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking in too hearts
The singer is using vivid imagery to describe the violent act of a predator eating its prey.
And how dare that you say you will call when you know I need some peace of mind
The artist is angry that someone promised to call when they know the artist needs time to themselves.
If you had to take sides with the animals won't you do it with one who is kind?
The singer is urging the listener to pick an animal that represents kindness and empathy, instead of violence and aggression.
If the hawks in the trees need the dead if you're living you don't stand a chance
The singer is commenting on how nature works, where some animals rely on the death of others to survive.
You can lie there and say you are fed but there are only two ends to this dance
The singer warns that pretending to be okay can only last for so long before the reality of the situation catches up with you.
You can flee with your wounds just in time or lie there as he feeds
The artist presents two options for survival: either escape with injuries or become prey to a predator.
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed
The artist describes the gruesome nature of being attacked by a predator and the sheer brutality of the experience.
So for those of you falling in love keep it kind keep it good keep it right
The singer implores those who are in love to be kind and fair to one another in their relationship.
Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night
The singer suggests that taking risks is sometimes necessary, but to always be aware and cautious of potential dangers.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rachael Amanda Yamagata
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lusun4628
If the elephants have past lives yet are destined to always remember
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains dirtying up their beds
Watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young then tell me how did you slip by
All my instincts have failed me for once I must have somehow slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking in too hearts
And how dare that you say you will call when you know I need some peace of mind
If you had to take sides with the animals won't you do it with one who is kind?
If the hawks in the trees need the dead if you're living you don't stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed but there are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wounds just in time or lie there as he feeds
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed
So for those of you falling in love keep it kind keep it good keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night
@marybrookeheimer
This song remains one of my most favourite song of all time. I listen to it every now and then. The lyric itself speaks volume of what a great singer/songwriter she is. I connect to this song very deeply and whenever I'm in doubt of any person, I always remember this song.
@hiqwj
12 years later, this song still fire
@RiskaMaharlika
One of the saddest ballads of all time.
@MrRoyalwaltz
Oh my god,ten year passed....
Miss my college life .....2010
@seeshells3222
I remember the first time I heard this song, and I was enchanted by Ms. Yamagata's haunting voice, the beautiful melody. It's become part of the soundtrack of my life, and I'm just as enchanted every time I listen to this haunting beautiful song.
@emilydance277
Her voice is so soft it’s beautiful
@thomasschaefer9312
So for those of you falling in love
Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger
But keep one eye open at night
@grazryan
This just reminded me being in the rain while in tears as I watched the car’s tail light gradually getting smaller as it moved away.
@seabassseabass8835
Probably the best song I found thanks to YouTube..the calmness moves me.
@yt-j1677
While I can’t remember where I first heard this song, it has left such an impression on me that I still search for it after 10 years. Utterly beautiful - well done :)