“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.
Tell Me How
Sara Lov Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know, nothing really to discuss
I know that I got my little way of
complicating us
and it is all I ever feel
like nothing good is ever real
do you pretend the bad is good
I know you do
I know
that you'd never do me wrong babe
even though sometimes I wish you would
cause I'm
really good at getting hurt babe
not so great at feeling good
and it is not for me to have
maybe not always but for now
my hand is always on my mouth
telling me how
and it is all I ever feel
like nothing good is ever real
maybe just scream my name out loud
drown it all out
tell me how
tell me how
tell me how
tell me how
how
The lyrics of "Tell Me How" by Sara Lov express the singer's tendency to complicate their relationship, even when there's nothing to discuss. They acknowledge that they struggle to find good in their life, and often pretend that bad things are good because they can't accept that there isn't always something to complain about. The singer seems to be aware that their behavior is hindering their happiness, but can't help the way they feel. They also express a desire for their partner to do something wrong, even though they know that they never would, because the singer is better at dealing with hurt than with feeling good.
The chorus of the song, where Lov repeats the phrase "tell me how" several times, seems to represent the singer's desire for something to change. They want an explanation or a solution, but don't know how to ask for it. The line "my hand is always on my mouth, telling me how" suggests that the singer is keeping themselves from speaking up or asking for what they need.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the singer's tendencies towards self-sabotage and their difficulties with accepting happiness in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I know we can talk about it later
I am aware that we can resolve any issue at a later time.
And I know, nothing really to discuss
I understand that there is nothing to debate or dispute.
I know that I got my little way of complicating us
I acknowledge that my tendencies often create additional problems for our relationship.
and it is all I ever feel like nothing good is ever real
I feel overwhelmed with negativity and doubt, as if positivity is simply unattainable.
do you pretend the bad is good I know you do I do it too
I suspect that we both try to trick ourselves into seeing the silver lining in situations that are ultimately negative.
I know that you'd never do me wrong babe even though sometimes I wish you would
I trust you entirely, despite my occasional desire for something to change.
cause I'm really good at getting hurt babe not so great at feeling good
I am used to experiencing pain, but struggle to genuinely experience joy.
and it is not for me to have maybe not always but for now
Although it may not be what I want or need, I accept that this is my current reality.
my hand is always on my mouth telling me how
I feel silenced and unable to express how I truly feel.
maybe just scream my name out loud drown it all out tell me how tell me how tell me how tell me how how
Perhaps an intense outburst will help me release my pent-up emotions and finally understand how I truly feel.
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.