She fronted the rock trio Crowsdell in the 90's, recording two albums, Dreamette and In the curve of an arm. Both featuring her intense writing, playing and singing.
Her first solo album, Flightsafety (1999) featured a gentle acoustic sound. Her next release, Maps of Tacit (2000) brought a more vocally aggressive approach. This was further developed on her next two albums, Dyed in the Wool (2001) and Over the Sun (2004), which were both recorded with Steve Albini.
After a collaboration with French musician Yann Tiersen (Yann Tiersen & Shannon Wright, 2004), the works that followed moved in a gentler direction, mixing warm folk and rock songs with moodier pieces. These albums included Let in the Light (2007), Honeybee Girls (2009), and Secret Blood (2010).
Her next album, In Film Sound (2013), incorporated more raw and harsh indie rock elements reminiscent of earlier works. Later, on Division (2017), she experimented with a fragile keyboard-based sound incorporating sampling and electronic beats. Her most recent release, Providence (2019), also has a haunting sound mainly based on piano.
She's a frequent road warrior, playing shows everywhere from South Dakota to Brazil. Her live shows are emotionally charged, unbridled pieces of rock and roll, featuring Shannon's trademark vocal howl and multi-instrumental palette. Shannon was handpicked by Sleater-Kinney and Nick Cave to open some of their US tour dates.
Idle Hands
Shannon Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The tricks we play
Only I could find my way
Do what you want to
Say what you want to say
Your unruly eyes
Ruly eyes
When there's trials
So quiet
When there's trials
Watch for idle hands
We need the tender care
Of useful things
To prepare
So bend the light to share
When there's trials
So quiet
When there's trials
Watch for idle hands
The song Idle Hands by Shannon Wright is a reflection on the human tendency towards inactivity or idleness, particularly during times of difficulty or hardship. The opening lines, "It is cruel, the tricks we play, only I could find my way" suggest a sense of isolation or struggle, as though the singer is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Despite this, they seem to acknowledge that their own inaction is partly to blame, with the repeated refrain "watch for idle hands" serving as a warning against the dangers of passivity and complacency.
As the song progresses, the singer urges listeners to "do what you want to" and "say what you want to say," emphasizing the importance of taking ownership of one's own thoughts and actions. The idea of "bending the light to share" suggests a sense of hope and optimism, as though even in the darkest of times, there is still the possibility of growth and connection.
Overall, Idle Hands is a poignant and introspective song that encourages listeners to stay active and engaged, even in the face of adversity. By recognizing the power of our own agency and taking responsibility for our own lives, we can avoid falling into the trap of idleness and cultivate a sense of purpose and vitality.
Line by Line Meaning
It is cruel
The situation that I am facing is harsh and unjust
The tricks we play
The choices we make that cause us pain and hardship
Only I could find my way
I am the only one who can solve my problems and figure out a way to move forward
Do what you want to
Make your own choices and live your life according to your own desires
Say what you want to say
Speak honestly and openly, and express yourself freely
Your unruly eyes
Your eyes reveal your untamed, unrestrained nature
Ruly eyes
Eyes that have been controlled and tamed
They speak
Your eyes reveal your inner feelings and emotions
When there's trials
During difficult times and hardships
So quiet
It can seem very still and peaceful, but there is often much turmoil beneath the surface
Watch for idle hands
Be careful not to be idle or waste time during difficult periods, as this can make things worse
We need the tender care
During hard times, we require gentle, compassionate support and attention
Of useful things
We need things that are practical and helpful in order to get through tough times
To prepare
To get ready for the challenges that lie ahead
So bend the light to share
Use your skills and abilities to help and support others in their struggles
Contributed by Gianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.