Sarah Siskind has been called "the best female singer/songwriter in America… Read Full Bio ↴Sarah Siskind has been called "the best female singer/songwriter in America today" (Steve Binder, legendary TV director/producer) and Nashville's "Best New Voice" by Southern Living. She has toured with Bon Iver (he has also famously covered her "Lovin's For Fools") and The Swell Season, written songs for Alison Krauss (the GRAMMY nominated "Simple Love") and Randy Travis. Sarah has performed live on NPR's Tiny Desk, World Cafe with David Dye and her music has been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered and NPR's Song Of The Day. Her previous album, Say It Louder, was called "a masterpiece" by Bonnie Raitt.

In July of 2010, Sarah Siskind found herself thousands of miles from her Tennessee home in a small ranch house just outside of Boulder. Escaping the oppressive southern summer heat for six weeks, she took temporary roots in Colorado while teaching songwriting at a nearby festival and touring the southwest. Her intent was to finish writing the songs for her new album, Novel, during her downtime.

Just out of a five-year publishing deal on Nashville’s Music Row, Sarah was inspired by the idea of exploring her sound as a musician and her vision as an artist. Bathing in this newfound freedom, her creativity burgeoned and she was soon setting up a microphone in the spare bedroom and hitting record.

It began with the recording of a simple guitar and vocal track for "Nowhere In The Middle", a song that explores the dangers of loving someone too much. Unable to put the track away, she found herself in the kitchen pantry grabbing salt canisters, dry rice, and oatmeal boxes to create a percussion section. She made a snare out of a storage box with sheets of paper taped to the top. Swept away by the muse, Sarah would continue to record the rest of the songs this way, finishing it with just one microphone, several guitars (including her beloved Gibson, Larry), and "found sounds” from her home back in Nashville. Sarah engineered, tracked and produced “Novel” with no boundaries, no one else in the room, on her own.

Despite her isolation, the theme of the album became human connection and no single song onNovel illustrates that better than the title track, a song that reminisces about ‘old-fashioned’ pre-internet friendship and courtship. “Growing up, the thought of using technology to connect with another human never crossed my mind," says Sarah. "People dropped by, there were hours upon hours of sitting on a floor talking with friends and family, and we listened to and played music together."

Novel's lead track is "Yellow and Blue", an Alice in Wonderland-esque take on wandering into uncharted territory, whether it be a stranger's garden or a new relationship. "I had the most vividimagination as a child, always craving that buzz of a new experience...I hope I never lose that."What follows is songwriting study touching on emotional chapters we all face: shouting up to ask for relief ("Take Me"), falling head over heels ("Feeling For You", "I Think About Love"), breaking down ("Crying On A Plane", "You're Still There"), children growing up and out ("Welcome Home"), and fighting with and for love ("Nowhere In The Middle", "Rescue You"). The closing track is a raw and chugging version of the spiritual "Didn't It Rain", made famous by Mahalia Jackson. The tambourine sounds are children's instruments Sarah strapped to her ankles.

Sarah makes jewelry from charms, beads and the like that she finds while on the road and sells them on Etsy and at her live gigs. Though wheat/dairy free, Sarah can (thankfully) still drink good beer and shares recipes, tips and restaurant/brewery suggestions on her food blog. Born and raised in North Carolina, she makes her home in Nashville, TN.

Go
Sarah Siskind Lyrics

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Thorny roses in the snow
Can't take me down, I don't wanna go
If the ground stone isn't cold, I still won't go
I don't wanna go
Can't take me down, I don't wanna go

If the faces gather around and say it so
I don't wanna go

If the places that I've found say it's time
I don't wanna go

Can't take me down, I don't wanna go
I don't wanna go
I wanna hang around
This whole town knows me
I don't wanna go
I wanna hang around

For His love has saved me
For His love has saved me

Overall Meaning

In Sarah Siskind's song "Go," the lyrics express a strong determination and resistance to leaving a familiar place. The opening line, "Thorny roses in the snow," creates a contradictory image of beauty and difficulty, symbolizing the challenges faced in life. Despite these challenges, the persona refuses to be brought down or forced to leave. The repetition of "Can't take me down, I don't wanna go" showcases their unwavering resistance to outside pressures.

The lyrics also touch upon the opinions and judgments of others. The persona acknowledges that if people gather around and declare it's time for them to leave, they still don't want to go. This highlights their sense of independence and self-assurance, as they are not easily swayed by the opinions of others. Even if the places they have found suggest it's time to go, they remain steadfast in their decision to stay.

The chorus emphasizes their desire to remain despite any external influences. They want to "hang around" in this town where they are known, suggesting a sense of belonging and a connection to the community. The final line, "For His love has saved me," adds a spiritual dimension, indicating that their faith gives them the strength and conviction to stay.

Overall, "Go" is a song about resilience, self-determination, and the importance of staying true to oneself despite outside pressures or temptations to leave.

Line by Line Meaning

Thorny roses in the snow
Even in difficult and challenging situations, I will not be discouraged

Can't take me down, I don't wanna go
I refuse to be defeated or influenced to leave my path

If the ground stone isn't cold, I still won't go
Even if the conditions are not ideal or favorable, I won't be deterred

I don't wanna go
I have no desire to leave or give up

If the faces gather around and say it so
Even if others try to persuade me to leave

If the places that I've found say it's time
Even if the situations or opportunities I have encountered suggest that it's time to move on

Can't take me down, I don't wanna go
I am determined and resilient, and I don't want to give in

I wanna hang around
I want to remain and continue existing

This whole town knows me
I am familiar and recognized by everyone in this town

I don't wanna go
I have no desire or intention to leave

I wanna hang around
I want to remain and continue existing