Currently based in Brooklyn, NY, USA, van Etten débuted with single Much More Than That (2007, Abaton Book Company). Her album Are We There was released on 14 May 2014 on Jagjaguwar).
van Etten moved to Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University, where she discovered a variety of influential music. After moving back home to New Jersey, she was encouraged by Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio to pursue a career in music.
van Etten undertook her first UK tour with Meg Baird in Jan 2008. She toured with Great Lake Swimmers on their European tour in May 2009, kicking it off with a show in London with Beirut and Shearwater. She again toured with them in September/October 2009.
On May 26th, 2009, she released her "Because I Was in Love" single on 12" vinyl, CD and MP3 on Language of Stone.
She was the first artist to record in 2010 for the Weathervane Music's Shaking Through video series.
On September 21, 2010, her sophomore album, "Epic" was released on Ba Da Bing. The powerful 7-track album featured much more instrumentation than her first, primarily-acoustic affair. The evolution of her sound proved that she is much more than a traditional folk singer-songwriter.
The release of Epic coincided with a difficult break-up of a relationship. She busied herself with touring for the record, but when the singer completed her schedule a year later, she found herself homeless in New York. After a period of sleeping on friends' couches, recovering from her heavy touring schedule, she hooked up the National's guitarist Aaron Dessner to record her third album, Tramp, which was released on February 7th, 2012.
May 2014 brought about the release of Van Etten's fourth record, Are We There, on Jagjaguwar. Van Etten self-produced the record with Stewart Lerman, with the guidance of bandmate and manager Zeke Hutchins. Most of the recording was done at Hobo Sound Studios in Weehawken, New Jersey, with piano tracks being recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The record features musicians Zeke Hutchins, Doug Keith, Heather Woods Broderick, Dave Hartley, Adam Granduciel, Marisa Anderson, Stuart D. Bogie, Mickey Free, Mary Lattimore, Little Isidor, Jacob Morris, Torres' Mackenzie Scott, Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg, Lower Dens' Jana Hunter, and Efterklang touring member Peter Broderick.
In 2015, the EP I Don't Want to Let You Down was released on Jagjaguwar. It is composed of the songs that did not make it onto Are We There.
On October 2, 2018, Van Etten released a new track entitled "Comeback Kid" and announced her next album Remind Me Tomorrow, which was released on January 18, 2019. On February 28, 2019, Van Etten appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform the single "Seventeen".
Sites: MySpace
Joke or a Lie
Sharon Van Etten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me to leave the next time I'm in front of you I can't relate
Chip on your shoulder
How do you deal with that weight?
My hands are getting tired.
Call it a joke or a lie. Call it a joke or a lie.
Put your coat on, then believe me, I try.
Let us escape for a night.
Breathe the silence.
I am alone,
But I am alone in this room with you.
Call it a joke or a lie, call it a joke or a lie.
Put your coat on, then believe me, I tried.
The lyrics to Sharon Van Etten's song Joke or a Lie appear to describe the confusion and uncertainty that comes with a failing relationship. The main character in the song seems to be struggling with communicating with their partner and being understood. They feel lost and unsure about what to do, whether they should try to make things work or leave. The phrase "call it a joke or a lie" suggests that there may be a lack of trust between the two, and the mention of trying several times highlights the fact that the situation is not improving.
The line "chip on your shoulder, how do you deal with that weight?" could be interpreted as a metaphor for emotional baggage or past trauma that one partner is bringing into the relationship. The main character is trying to offer support and understanding, but they are getting tired and frustrated. The lines "let us escape for a night, breathe the silence" suggest that the couple may be trying to escape the reality of their relationship, even if only for a short time.
Overall, the lyrics present a complex and emotionally charged situation, where both parties are struggling to communicate and connect. The singer is searching for answers and trying to make sense of their feelings, but is ultimately left feeling confused and uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
What should I do? I am lost.
I feel unsure and directionless, please give me guidance.
Tell me to leave the next time I'm in front of you I can't relate
I am struggling to connect with you, please be direct and honest with me.
Chip on your shoulder
You seem angry and resentful, what is causing this?
How do you deal with that weight?
I am curious how you cope with your emotions and burdens.
My hands are getting tired.
I am physically exhausted from trying to hold on to this relationship.
Call it a joke or a lie. Call it a joke or a lie.
You can deny what I am about to say, but I am telling the truth.
Put your coat on, then believe me, I try.
I want to leave this situation, but I am struggling to find the strength to do so.
Let us escape for a night.
Let's take a break from reality and spend time together.
Breathe the silence.
Let's enjoy each other's company without the need for words.
I am alone,
I feel isolated and disconnected.
But I am alone in this room with you.
Despite physical proximity, we still feel emotionally distant.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: AARON BROOKING DESSNER, SHARON KATHARINE VAN ETTEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anika says "hi"
on A Crime
Sharon, if you ever read this ... thank you.