After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
BYOS
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was in no hurry
The firing squad had their guns in the air
My invitation said 'Bring your own shovel'
I brought my own shovel
B Y O S
Bring your own shovel and shovel up the mess
Clip their teeth with nail clippers
They want them much straighter, much nicer, more even
Well I thought I'd do something nasty as well
I brought my own shovel, dug up this here well
Then i shuffled my feet and i sniffed at the smells
Then i dropped in some horses and dropped in some sheep
Then i cuddled up my grandma put her in there to sleep
Then i licked up the envelope in it i sent
All the bones and the bones and the braids from my hair
Oh, oh, and darling I'm all shook up now
Oh oh, baby I'm all shook up now
Oh, oh, darling I'm all shook up
Bring your own shovel
Bring your own shovel
Bring your own shovel
B Y O S
Bring your own shovel
Bring your own shovel
Bring your own shovel
B Y O S
B Y O S
B Y O S
B Y O
B Y O
B Y O S
In Regina Spektor's song BYOS, the singer meets with Mata Hari, a famous exotic dancer and alleged spy for Germany during World War I. The firing squad had their guns in the air, indicating that Mata Hari was about to be executed. The singer's invitation to the event said "Bring your own shovel," which she took quite literally and brought her own shovel to the execution. The song then takes a dark and macabre turn, as the singer talks about digging up a well and filling it with horses, sheep, and even her grandmother. She even licks up the envelope she sent, which contained the bones and braids from her hair.
The song is highly interpretive and can be viewed through many different lenses, but one interpretation is that it's a commentary on society's obsession with perfection and the lengths people will go to achieve it. The references to teeth-straightening and the singer doing something "nasty" in response can be seen as a critique on the pressure society places on individuals to perfect their appearance. Furthermore, the dark imagery of filling a well with animals and even human remains can be interpreted as a commentary on the violence and destruction that can arise from the pursuit of perfection.
Line by Line Meaning
I met mata hari
I encountered someone who was charming and mysterious
She was in no hurry
She was taking her time and seemed relaxed
The firing squad had their guns in the air
There was a tense and dangerous atmosphere
My invitation said 'Bring your own shovel'
I was instructed to come prepared to do some digging
I brought my own shovel
I came prepared to do some digging
B Y O S
Abbreviation meaning 'Bring Your Own Shovel'
Bring your own shovel and shovel up the mess
Come prepared to clean up the aftermath
Oh, lately all my friends
Recently, my peers
Clip their teeth with nail clippers
Use unconventional methods to improve their appearance
They want them much straighter, much nicer, more even
Desire to have a more aesthetically pleasing appearance
Well I thought I'd do something nasty as well
I decided to do something unconventional too
I brought my own shovel, dug up this here well
I brought a tool to dig and unearthed a well
Then i shuffled my feet and i sniffed at the smells
I explored the area and took note of my surroundings
Then i dropped in some horses and dropped in some sheep
I added some animals to the well
Then i cuddled up my grandma put her in there to sleep
I even placed my grandma in the well
Then i licked up the envelope in it i sent
I included an odd item in the package I sent
All the bones and the bones and the braids from my hair
The package contained strange objects I discarded
Oh, oh, and darling I'm all shook up now
Oh my, I'm feeling quite shocked now
Bring your own shovel
Make sure to come prepared with a tool
B Y O S
Abbreviation meaning 'Bring Your Own Shovel'
B Y O
Abbreviation meaning 'Bring Your Own'
Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SnookumBear42
Ahhh again we hear about the famous Gravedigger.
j
OH SHIT I DIDNT REALIZE
Nyla M
This song makes me feel uneasy, but oddly liberated
Reginaldo Bittencourt
unrealised. AND IT'S ONE OF HER BEST COMPOSITIONS EVER. Like a tiny pearl.
Reginaldo Bittencourt
My God, this girl is REALLY GIFTED
SeaPuppet
it kinda reminds me of my favorite things when she sings "my invitation says bring your own shovel..."
JustinPM
Doesn't it kind of have the melody of "These are a few of my favorite things" at some points?
Wooly Cooly
yes
Axe BurningFire
oh shit, tenth time i listened to this song and it's only the first time i realize they're clipping their teeths
Bames Jond
omg this is so great! mixing in elvis and the sound of music