If there is one thing that Sarah Jaffe will never have to contend with it is the idea that she is a female singer for females. There once was a time that being a female singer meant you would undoubtedly be put into an all too snug box. Is she an angry singer? An activist singer? A singer for the victimor the singer your mom bonds with you over? To be honest, when Sarah’s new CD Suburban Nature was released on May 18th she inserted herself into and destroyed all those boxes simultaneously, because Sarah is a truth singer...and no matter who or what we are we all need and want our singers to be truth singers. Jaffe’s words and voice seem like they are speaking to you, only to you, yet they contain a universal appeal evidenced by the fact that she has recently toured with Midlake and Norah Jones -- two completely different audiences who Jaffe, equally endearing and confident, easily won over.
Growing up in Red Oak, Texas, might not be ideal circumstances for breeding the kind of talent that is encompassed in Sarah’s songs, but it does beg the question of nature verses nurture. What we have in us before we are even us, and what we interpret because of life circumstances. Writing since her early teens, many of the songs featured on Suburban Nature were written long before she could even enter the clubs where they are now performed.
Interestingly enough the first single “Vulnerable,” was written when Sarah was only 17, long before even the material on her first EP, the acclaimed Even Born Again, was produced. Even so, it comprises everything that matters about her voice. If there is one thread that flows through all of Sarah’s work, it is grappling with the self-serving cycles that are in all of us, and the aftermath that those needs deal out. “I’m a fan of life’s wicked ironies. These things that reveal the truth from an aerial view nowhere near your perspective of the situation, and through these realizations you find redemption.” And so it is with Suburban Nature.
From opening track “Before You Go,” everything sounds as wide and deep as the Grand Canyon, the sonic spread covering every degree of the mix. It’s thick enough to feel when you breathe, but spatial enough to allow for the one thing that truly matters with singer/songwriters: their voice. When talking to the album's producer and engineer John Congleton (St Vincent, Polyphonic Spree, Explosions in the Sky, Clinic) about the spacious feel of the album, he had this to say on the matter: “I think it was intentional. Both Sarah’s and my feelings on this was that the vocal should be the focal point have as much space as possible, while the music provided an emotional backdrop.”
Skilled players such as Kris Youmans - cello (Bill Callahan, The Paper Chase, Micah P Hinson) Becki Howard – violin (The Crash That Took Me) Jeff Ryan – percussion (The Baptist Generals, St Vincent, Pleasant Grove) and Robert Gomez - guitar (as himself) provide this essential emotional backdrop. Just take a listen to “Pretender” for an example of the power and talent contained in this group of players. Layers of moveable music float in, out, under and over lines such as “So here we stand, like flowers in the cold, wilt and wither/Here's your chance/Tell me what you want/I'm a forgiver.” In other situations the group provide the perfect backbeat so Sarah is free to spin yarn that might not always be fact, but like we said, is certainly truth.
On “Clementine,” she sings, “We were young, we were young, we were young, we didn't care.” Although only 24 you actually believe her. You believe her because you believe that no matter what her actual age, she lived through the war of a relationship or fifty that aged her to her core, and now her soul speaks to yours in the places where you have aged, and set down roots that flow as grid in a suburb becoming part of your nature. This is why we need singers like Sarah Jaffe and albums like Suburban Nature: We need a truth singer to be a soothsayer, and help heal us in the broken places of our time.
Since the release of Suburban Nature, Sarah has toured constantly, hitting both Europe and the US with Midlake, as well as supporting such varied artists as Norah Jones, Lou Barlow, Centro-matic and Old 97s. “Clementine” Sarah’s debut single reached the #1 spot at various radio stations including Austin’s influential KGSR and Sirus’ Spectrum. Sarah and Suburban Nature landed in many 2010 “Best of Lists” including: Paste Magazine’s 10 Best New Solo Artists, 50 Best Albums, and 50 Best Songs; Amazon.com’s Best Albums and Song’s; USA Today’s Pop Candy 100 People of 2010.
Sarah released The Way Sound Leaves a Room, a CD/DVD combo in Fall 2011. In early 2012, Sarah released the follow up to Suburban Nature, The Body Wins.
Explode
Sarah Jaffe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't hold it back, can only let it go
Pick, pick, pick
Pick it up, pick it up, you know that it's not necessary
Keep it down, keep it down
They hate our voices when they carry
You've got a reputation to uphold
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
Ahhhhhh
My thoughts stuck in fast, my body moving slow
Between the two, the feeling's mutual
I think the point has been exhausted
I think I've really fucking lost it
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion?
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
Ahhhhhh
I want to explode (I want to explode)
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion? (Closest emotion)
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
I want to explode
Ahhhhhh
The lyrics of Sarah Jaffe’s song “Explode” convey the feeling of wanting to release pent up emotions and energy. Jaffe touches on the notion of reputation and the societal pressure put on individuals to uphold a certain image. The repetition of “Pick it up, pick it up” suggests that the singer is aware that they are carrying unnecessary weight and desires the release that a physical explosion would provide.
The line “They hate our voices when they carry” is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the tendency of society to silence those who challenge the status quo. Jaffe seems to be encouraging the listener to speak up and let their voice be heard, even if it means going against the expectations of others. The chorus of “I want to explode” is a powerful statement of this desire for release, and the repeated “Ahhhhhh” at the end only emphasizes the intensity of this emotion.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a call to break free of societal expectations and let one’s true emotions and desires be expressed, even if it means disrupting the reputation one has established.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a reputation to uphold
You've got a reputation that you need to maintain
Can't hold it back, can only let it go
You can't keep holding it in, you need to let it out
Pick, pick, pick
Don't keep obsessing over small things
Pick it up, pick it up, you know that it's not necessary
Stop worrying so much over unimportant things
Keep it down, keep it down
Don't be too loud or too outspoken
They hate our voices when they carry
People don't like when we speak up and voice our opinions
My thoughts stuck in fast, my body moving slow
Your mind is racing but your body feels sluggish
Between the two, the feeling's mutual
Both your mind and body are feeling the same way
I think the point has been exhausted
You feel like you've talked about this enough
I think I've really fucking lost it
You feel like you've completely lost control
I want to explode
You feel like you need to release your emotions
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah, yeah)
Stop worrying about the small things
Ahhhhhh
An expression of intense emotion
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
You feel like you have to maintain a certain image or status
What's the closest emotion?
What emotion are you feeling right now?
I want to explode (I want to explode)
You feel like you're about to completely lose it
(Closest emotion)
Asking again, what emotion are you feeling?
Writer(s): Sarah A. Jaffe, Toby Halbrooks, Nick Seeley, Andrew Tinker
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Villanelle's bitch
LYRICS
I got a reputation to hold back
Cant hold it back, can only let it go
(Pick, pick, pick)
Pick it up, pick it up you know that it's not necessary
Keep it down, keep it down now
They hate our voices when they carry
You've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion?
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
Right stop, get fast
My bump is moving slow, ah
Between the two the feelings mutual
I think the point has been exhausted
I think I really fucking lost it
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
I want to explode
I want to explode
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
OHJLM
The movie and soundtrack are such hidden gems!
devin quinn
Yess I saw it yesterday and I can't stop thinking about it
Zachary S. Marsh
A24 did this movie so dirty. Easily one of my favorites of 2018. Wish they would have given this a wider release and/or a Blu-Ray release, because releasing this only on DVD and Digital doesn't break it for me.
Kevin Goldman
Sometimes little goldmines, like this film, should remain under the radar for those who appreciate the work and content. It will likely turn into a "cult classic". People like you and I just realize the value more than others. Also how f***ng dope is this soundtrack?
Villanelle's bitch
LYRICS
I got a reputation to hold back
Cant hold it back, can only let it go
(Pick, pick, pick)
Pick it up, pick it up you know that it's not necessary
Keep it down, keep it down now
They hate our voices when they carry
You've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion?
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
Right stop, get fast
My bump is moving slow, ah
Between the two the feelings mutual
I think the point has been exhausted
I think I really fucking lost it
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
I want to explode
I want to explode
They say you've got a reputation to uphold
What's the closest emotion
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
(Pick it up, pick it up, yeah)
I want to explode
Oh
Villanelle's bitch
@Douglas Gomez ops i just saw this! it's by a singer called sarah jaffe
Douglas Gomez
Do you Know the name of the gruop? Please, Tell me, i like the song.
Ashley Hall
Can I explode of how good this song and movie is so good
albert edward de guzman
wxpload now
CJ Sweet
watching this movie now, had to pause to figure out what this song was, i loved it. lo and behold, it’s my clementine girl! so pleased to hear you again, miss jaffe. 💙