Much like the man himself, Hayes' musical sensibilities defy easy categorization. Just because there's a banjo featured in a track, don't expect it to sound Appalachian -- and certainly don't expect that recurring tuba to have anything to do with Sousa and his severely metered marches. With his new album "Big Black Hole and the Little Baby Star", the North Carolina-bred, San Francisco-rooted artist continues to embrace the multifarious, channeling Billie Holiday in her more melancholy moments (Fucked Me Right Up) or hitting the pavement with broken-hearted, wild eyed friends who take strength in numbers (Calling All Cars). With subject matter that ranges from polka dot panties to innocent death row inmates, it's best to keep an ear cocked to sort out Hayes' lyrics. A masterful songwriter and fingerpicker, the singer plays guitar, mandolin, and banjo on the album.
Etienne de Rocher mans the piano, bass, keyboards and backup harmony vocals, and Ches Smith supplies percussion. Ara Anderson, who's added his horns to Tom Waits' and Jolie Holland's albums, adds some powerful oomph on trumpet and tuba. Hayes says that the process for getting this fourth record together has been "totally organic - - it has to do with time, and how the sound changes because of it, as well as with the people you play with."
A little over a year ago, while playing a warehouse show for local arts and culture mag Kitchen Sink, Hayes bumped into fellow musician de Rocher. It was a fortuitous meeting. De Rocher invited Hayes to record a few songs at his garage studio, and Hayes eventually recorded the whole of Big Black Hole there. Thanks in part to de Rocher's production, the album's sound is a departure from his previous discs. Now, Hayes sounds a little less folky, a little more languid and groovy, as if he loosened the knot on his hobo tie after tossing back a few Don Julios -- a better approximation of his live shows.. - Elka Karl
Garden
Sean Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We will be out walking
We will watch the sun
Rise above the wall
We will ask ourselves
What road to take
We will catch our hearts
You and I
Where to take our journey
How high to fly
Love to love our turning
You and I
Take the road we take
Then we improvise
When the road it breaks
There will be surprises
Live to grow with fate
Wake to see your Time
Search your heart with mine
You and I
decide
You and I
Garden
grows around
us
Sean Hayes's "Garden" is a song that speaks of two individuals who are on a journey in life and are trying to find their way. The song starts with the lyrics, "When the morning breaks, we will be out walking, we will watch the sun rise above the wall," which set the tone for the rest of the song. The two individuals are trying to find their way and are looking for guidance in nature. As they walk, they are discussing the path they want to take and are trying to catch their hearts so that they can make decisions that are true to themselves.
The lyrics then continue to speak of the journey and the struggles that come with it. The line, "When the road it breaks, there will be surprises," suggests that the journey will be full of twists and turns, and there will be moments where they will have to improvise. But through it all, they are determined to grow with fate and to wake up every day ready to face whatever comes their way.
The last line of the song, "You and I, Garden, grows around us," suggests that the two individuals are growing together and that their journey is like a garden that is growing around them.
Overall, "Garden" is a beautifully written song that speaks of the importance of being true to oneself and following one's heart, even when the journey gets tough.
Line by Line Meaning
When the morning breaks
As soon as the morning begins
We will be out walking
We will be outside, taking a walk
We will watch the sun
We will observe the sun
Rise above the wall
As it ascends above a barrier
We will ask ourselves
We will ponder or question among ourselves
What road to take
Which path to choose
We will catch our hearts
We will be mindful and attentive to our emotions
You and I
decide
Where to take our journey
How high to fly
Together, we will choose our destination and how far we want to go
Love to love our turning
Fond of embracing change or a new direction in life
You and I
Take the road we take
Then we improvise
We will take a path together, and adapt to circumstances along the way
When the road it breaks
When we hit an obstacle or challenge on our journey
There will be surprises
We will encounter the unexpected
Live to grow with fate
Find purpose in our journey, and accept that some things are beyond our control
Wake to see your Time
Be aware of your position in your journey
Search your heart with mine
You and I
decide
Together, we will explore our emotions and make decisions
You and I
Garden
grows around
us
Our path is surrounded by life and growth
Writer(s): Sean Hayes
Contributed by Colin F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Victoria
years and years later and it still is my favorite song... i can't explain how much comfort and peace it brings me
whenever i feel anxiety, or during my long nights of insomnia, this song is always there to hold my hand
Babybird Legs
Heart
Leon Tucker
This man so goated I just wish he got the recognition he deserves 🤦🏽♂️
MrViolaFTW
This music is just so real. no autotune, no distortion. just a man, a guitar, and drums. it doesn't get much better
Julio Ramirez
His voice makes me all warm inside my heart ♥
Brian Miller
Absolutely freaking beautiful, Sean. You still got it baby!
Jessica Noneya
I have loved Sean Hayes for years and years. This man is amazing. he gives me hope... his voice sounds like an instrument. life changing for sure
Ryan McGinnis
best song I've ever heard!!! he touches my heart always
xRocketToTheMoon
His voice is beautiful<333
MrViolaFTW
one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. its insulting that this has so few views