“Simple and sad with a shot of scotch.” That’s how musician Sara Lov describes her simultaneously dark and angelic sound that has been also described as “honeyed” (NME), “haunting” (The Sun), and “smokey” (MOJO). The former frontwoman of Devics and current solo singer paints an apt picture of melodies that are both minimalist and poignant with heady vocals that warm you from the inside.
For a singer freshly on her own, Lov (no, the “e” isn’t missing, and yes, that’s her real name) exudes immense confidence. The artist was formerly a part of indie favorite dream pop band Devics, a critical favorite in the UK where they were famously signed to Bella Union by Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde. It is perhaps because of the success of Devics that Lov finds the idea of going out on her own exciting, if a little unnerving. “I learn every day and doing scary things makes me grow,” Lov says. “Dustin [[artist]Dustin O'Halloran, the other half of Devics] and I make wonderful music together, but like every creative person there’s always that insistent urge to write both music and lyrics for yourself, test yourself, challenge yourself.”
Lov views much of her life in a similar way – taking something frightening that could have overwhelmed others, and making it a positive influence on her life and music. At the age of five, the Hawaiian-born Lov was kidnapped by her father and taken to Israel, then Minnesota, and then ended up in L.A. at age 12 where she was raised by her uncle. “My father really encouraged me creatively,” Lov says. “The one thing I am certain of is that for most of my young life, music was the consistency and stability I had. It was my escape and my sanity.”
Perhaps that’s why Lov feels a certain nostalgia for a time in her life that most would imagine to be traumatic or marked by stolen innocence, going as far as to name her debut solo album, Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming (Nettwerk), after the idealism of youth. “As you get older it’s harder to find beauty and innocence in anything,” she says. “It’s easy to get jaded and loose your sense of idealism. So, to find that thing that brings you back to your ‘young eyes’ or that thing that makes you feel excited to be alive again even though you are seeing it through seasoned eyes... even if just for a moment, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Produced by Zac Rae (Fiona Apple, Annie Lennox, My Brightest Diamond), mixed by Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck), and featuring cameos from Alex Brown Church (Sea Wolf) and Solon Bixler (Great Northern), Seasoned Eyes shows steely confidence, even with Lov’s oft-shaky vocals. A cover of Arcade Fire’s “My Body is a Cage,” shows Lov’s versatility in her ability to turn an already stunning song even more gorgeous, filling out the instrumentals with cello, Ukulele, pump organ, and celesta.
On her original tracks, Lov is similarly inventive. “Animals,” which Lov describes as a breakup song, is a dramatic musical dialogue between Lov and Alex Brown Church led by jaunty, child-like guitar picking.
It’s Lov’s lyrics, though, which are the highlight of her music, and the part she is most reluctant to talk about, preferring instead for listeners to interpret on their own. On “Fountain,” over mournful strings and theatrical keys, Lov sings “Fountain, fountain, we are the same / all that anyone ever has for you are the things you reflect back to them,” and with restrained anger, “Don’t you wish you could throw your pennies back at them.”
On “Animals,” Lov reflects on what she learned from a broken relationship: “I never, never learned to swim until you came around and pushed me in”,” she sings. With “A Thousand Bees,” she works on letting go and moving on, as she sings “How sweet is the revenge when you don’t want it anymore / How meaningless the defense when you’re not fighting anymore,” over a rapidly tapped snare and swelling keys. On “Tell Me How,” she expresses, “I’m really good at getting hurt babe / Not so great at feeling good.”
For an artist who was curious about recording and performing on her own, Lov has proven she had little to be concerned about. “I had always wanted to make a solo record but I guess I never believed I could do it on my own,” she says. “I’m really glad I did it, a whole world opened up to me.” Listeners to Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming are certain to be just as pleased.
Cape Canaveral
Sara Lov Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw your legends lined up
And I never felt more natural
Apart, I just came apart
Please, please, please sister Socrates
You always answer with a question
Show some kindness to a petty thief
Saw the migrants smoke in the old orange grove
And the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
You've been a father to me
In 1960's speak
In the comatose joy that we're on TV
While the mountain's side was shining
Wild colors of my destiny
I watched your face age backwards
Changing shape in my memory
You told me victory's sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
Hey, hey, hey mother interstate
Can you deliver me from evil
Make me honest make me wedding cake
Atone, I will atone
Wait, wait, wait mighty outer-space
All that flying saucer terror
Made me lazy drinking lemonade
A waste, it just went to waste
Like the Freon cold out the hotel door
Or the white rocket fade over Cape Canaveral
You've been a daughter to me
Your buried shoe-box grief
I felt your poltergeist love like savannah heat
While the waterfall was pouring
Crazy symbols of my destiny
I watched your face die backwards
Little baby in my memory
A lonely victory sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
And you don't judge me
That's not your style
But I won't see you for a little while
And there's no worries
Whose got time
All these changes are going to fill your mind
Like the citrus glow off the old orange grove
Or the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
It's been a nightmare to me
Some 1980's grief
Gives me parachute dreams
Like old war movies
While the universe was drawn
Perfect circles form infinity
Saw the stars get smaller
Tiny diamonds in my memory
I know that victory is sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
The song “Cape Canaveral” by Sara Lov is a song about reminiscing the memories of the past with someone close, and how all these moments shape the person they are today. The lyrics depict a stream of consciousness, where Lov speaks directly to the people in her life, as she remembers spent meaningful times with each of them. The first stanza appears to be directed towards someone like an older brother or a father figure, depicted as a totem pole with myths that lengthen back to olden times. Lov paints the picture of the legendary stories lined up in a row, and how just being around this person made her feel like she was at home, “more natural.” But Lov laments that as time went on, she started to come apart and fall away from the person as she once knew them.
The next two stanzas address two different people, Sister Socrates, and Mother Interstate. Sister Socrates always answers with a question, and Lov asks her to show some kindness to a “petty thief” (possibly Lov herself) and forgive. Mother Interstate is asked to make Lov honest and create something meaningful in her life, like a wedding cake. Lov wants to become atone and believes that Mother Interstate can deliver her from evil. The song moves to the chorus where Lov recalls seeing migrants smoking in an orange grove and the iconic red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral.
The song is a journey through time and memory, as she addresses each person directly, explaining that while they don’t judge her, and she won’t see them for a while, she knows all these changes are going to fill her mind. The song concludes with a bittersweet reminder that while stars get smaller, and everything will gradually fade away, but victory is sweet, even deep in the cheap seats.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, oh brother totem pole
Addressing the social hierarchy, where the position at the top is called the totem pole, the singer is acknowledging an older brother-like figure.
I saw your legends lined up
The singer observed the accomplishments of the totem pole figure.
And I never felt more natural
While in the presence of the totem pole figure, the singer felt comfortable and at ease.
Apart, I just came apart
When separated from the totem pole figure, the artist felt unraveled and distraught.
Please, please, please sister Socrates
Speaking to someone knowledgeable like the philosopher Socrates, the artist is seeking advice.
You always answer with a question
Socrates is known for his Socratic method, which involves answering a question with a question, leading to the discovery of the truth.
Show some kindness to a petty thief
The singer asks Socrates to be compassionate towards someone who may have made a mistake.
Forgive, you did forgive
Socrates previously forgave the artist for their wrongdoing.
Saw the migrants smoke in the old orange grove
The artist witnessed migrant workers smoking in an old citrus grove.
And the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
Also witnessed by the artist was a rocket launch in Cape Canaveral.
You've been a father to me
Referring to a paternal figure, who has been a role model or guide in the singer's life.
In 1960's speak
This father figure speaks or represents values from the 1960s era.
In the comatose joy that we're on TV
Watching events or participating in society through a screen or media platform can induce a sense of disconnected euphoria.
While the mountain's side was shining
The singer observed the mountain in a state of brightness or prominence.
Wild colors of my destiny
The singer sees their life as vibrant and full of possibility.
I watched your face age backwards
The artist sees a reversal of aging in this person's face, possibly reminiscing about the past.
Changing shape in my memory
The person's appearance is altered in the artist's memory over time.
You told me victory's sweet
This person has taught the singer about the satisfaction of achieving success.
Even deep in the cheap seats
Success can be achieved regardless of one's social or economic status.
Hey, hey, hey mother interstate
The artist is addressing the interstate highway system as a maternal figure.
Can you deliver me from evil
The artist is asking for the highway system to protect them from harm or danger.
Make me honest make me wedding cake
The artist is seeking to be truthful and celebrate future milestones, such as a wedding.
Atone, I will atone
The singer wishes to make amends or make reparations for past actions.
Wait, wait, wait mighty outer-space
The artist addresses outer space in a reverent and respectful manner.
All that flying saucer terror
The singer recalls the fear and anxiety associated with the idea of extraterrestrial spacecrafts.
Made me lazy drinking lemonade
The singer became complacent, relaxed, or lost focus while consuming lemonade.
A waste, it just went to waste
The singer feels regret or disappointment for wasting time and energy on something unproductive.
Like the Freon cold out the hotel door
The cold air from the hotel air-conditioning system is being compared to an object or experience that is fleeting or temporary.
Or the white rocket fade over Cape Canaveral
The artist notes the image of a rocket launch dissipating.
You've been a daughter to me
The singer refers to a younger female figure as a daughter, someone who they have taken care of or mentored.
Your buried shoe-box grief
This daughter figure is holding onto a hidden or repressed pain, indicated by the metaphor of a shoebox.
I felt your poltergeist love like savannah heat
The artist felt the daughter's powerful and intense love, like the heat of the open grasslands.
While the waterfall was pouring
The artist observed a waterfall, possibly suggesting the beauty of nature or the passage of time.
Crazy symbols of my destiny
The artist notes unusual or strange signs that can be interpreted as omens or influences on their life path.
I watched your face die backwards
The daughter figure's face is appearing to the singer in reverse chronological order, as if looking into the past.
Little baby in my memory
The daughter is remembered as a baby or young child by the artist.
A lonely victory sweet
Despite achieving their goals alone, the singer finds satisfaction in succeeding.
Even deep in the cheap seats
Success can be achieved regardless of one's social or economic status.
And you don't judge me
The singer is acknowledging that this person doesn't criticize them, even if they may have made mistakes or errors.
That's not your style
This person typically avoids using harsh or judgmental words.
But I won't see you for a little while
The artist anticipates a separation from this person or event that they hold dear.
And there's no worries
Despite this upcoming separation, the singer feels assured that everything will be alright.
Whose got time
The singer realizes there isn't enough time in life to see or do everything one may desire.
All these changes are going to fill your mind
The artist anticipates that future changes or developments may preoccupy this person's thoughts and emotions.
Like the citrus glow off the old orange grove
The glowing appearance of the citrus grove is being compared to an object or experience that is beautiful or memorable.
Or the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
The image of a rocket launch creates a lasting impression on the artist.
It's been a nightmare to me
This situation is causing the singer intense distress or anguish.
Some 1980's grief
The artist is experiencing emotions or memories related to the 1980s era.
Gives me parachute dreams
Despite being scared or uncertain about the future, the singer remains hopeful and optimistic.
Like old war movies
These dreams resemble the plot or themes of movies about warfare.
While the universe was drawn
The singer perceives the cosmos being etched or designed before them.
Perfect circles form infinity
The artist observes recurring patterns that seem to go on indefinitely.
Saw the stars get smaller
The artist watched the stars appear to shrink or become distant.
Tiny diamonds in my memory
The image of small diamonds is used to represent pleasant memories for the singer.
I know that victory is sweet
The singer understands the pleasure that comes with success or triumph.
Even deep in the cheap seats
Success can be achieved regardless of one's social or economic status.
Contributed by Lucy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.