They recorded a demo (which now circulates as 'The Original Demos') and eventually an album, 'The Fatherless and the Widow' for R.E.X. Records in 1993. The record featured Chris Dodds (of Slocum's band Love Coma) on drums. Shortly after the release of the album, Slocum left Love Coma to pursue Sixpence full time. The band added Tess Wiley (guitar), J.J. Plasencio (bass) and Dale Baker (drums) for 1995's 'This Beautiful Mess'. Both albums, with featured the group's early explicit Christian contemporary music sound, were produced by Armand John Petri.
In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment and prepared for the release of a self-titled album, with their work slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience. In 1999, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence into the national pop spotlight. This song was also notably used in the romantic comedy film 'She's All That'. The next year, the band recorded a cover of Britpop originators The La's "There She Goes", which became their second hit single. This recording was added to Sixpence's self-titled album, an album that received several releases, as a 13th track.
'Sixpence None the Richer', featuring a confessional, melodic sound reminiscent of contemporary power pop bands as well as the softer side of earlier classic rock groups, provided both a critical and commercial breakthrough for the band. The group, made up then of Leigh Nash with Dale Baker, Matt Slocum, Sean Kelly, and Justin Cary, had both "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes" as top 40 hits receiving lasting airplay, and the parent album took the #1 slot on Billboard's 'Top Contemporary Christian' chart. In terms of the group's religiously inspired melodies and lyrics, they had evolved to even more of a subtle, emotionally minded focus based on personal storytelling rather than proselytizing.
The band had a follow up album ready to release, but Squint Entertainment started to fall apart. Though leaving the band in limbo for several years, they still toured to an enthusiastic fan-base. Finally, Squint Entertainment was taken over by Word Records, allowing Sixpence None the Richer to record the album 'Divine Discontent', which was released in October of 2002. It differed significantly from the first pre-release version of the album that had circulated, with five songs removed and six added, but still received some positive critical reviews.
On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced via a letter to CCM Magazine that the group had disbanded. That same year, Best of was released, which also collected some of the Divine Discontent outtakes, and tracks from compilations.
Matt Slocum has started a new band, the Astronaut Pushers which released their debut EP in 2005. He has also recorded and performed with the seminal ambient rock group Hammock. Leigh Nash released her debut Solo Album Blue on Blue on 15 August 2006 on her personal label, One Son Records. The first single, My Idea of Heaven, was released to USA radio the week of 14 July 2006.
In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. The band has released a new EP, entitled My Dear Machine, with tour dates planned throughout 2008 in the States and Europe. In October 2008, they released their first Christmas album entitled, The Dawn of Grace.
Website: http://www.sixpencehq.com/
Dizzy
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fingers routing the scars
Of Your wrists and side
Touching flesh will make my mind believe
But I want to be like David
Throw his clothes to the wind
To dance a jig, in my skin
[Chorus]
I give You myself
It's all that I have
Broken and frail
I'm clay in Your hands
And I'm spinning unconcealed
Dizzy on this wheel
For You my Love
I'm like Peter crying
Crowing burning my ears
Still You come near
You take my hand
And place it upon an eternal chance
The lyrics of "Dizzy" by Sixpence None the Richer explore themes of doubt and faith, as well as the desire to be transformed and made whole. The singer describes themselves as "like Thomas doubting," referring to the disciple who famously doubted the resurrection of Jesus until he saw the wounds in his hands and side. The singer, too, seeks tangible proof of faith, touching the scars in order to believe.
However, they also express a desire to be like David, who famously danced before God in a state of undress, unashamed and unselfconscious. The image of throwing off one's clothes represents a willingness to be vulnerable and open to transformation, to be made new by God's cleansing power.
The chorus then reveals the singer's confession of faith and surrender to God. They offer themselves - broken, frail, and imperfect - as clay in God's hands, and express a dizzying, unconcealed joy and surrender to God's love. The reference to Peter crying and crowing, burning his ears, speaks to the biblical account of Peter's denial of Jesus three times, only to be met with forgiveness and restoration by Jesus after the resurrection. Overall, the song expresses a longing for transformation, a willingness to be vulnerable and open to change, and a deep trust in God's loving and restorative power.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like Thomas doubting
I have doubts and skepticism when it comes to my beliefs
Fingers routing the scars
I search for proof and evidence to confirm my beliefs
Of Your wrists and side
I seek evidence of Jesus' crucifixion to confirm his divinity
Touching flesh will make my mind believe
Physical evidence is what I need to strengthen my faith
But I want to be like David
I aspire to have faith like David, who praised God openly and danced with joy
Throw his clothes to the wind
David humbled himself before God and was vulnerable in his worship
To dance a jig in my skin
Like David, I long to celebrate my faith without shame or fear
And be re-made by your cleansing again
Through worship and surrender, I hope to be renewed and purified by God's grace
[Chorus]
The main refrain of the song focuses on surrendering oneself to God and his will
I give you myself
I surrender everything to God, including my doubts and fears
It's all that I have
I acknowledge that apart from God, I have nothing
Broken and frail
I recognize my own weaknesses and imperfections
I'm clay in Your hands
I am willing to be molded by God and to follow his guidance
And I'm spinning unconcealed
I am transparent before God and have nothing to hide
Dizzy on this wheel
I am overwhelmed by the power and love of God
For You my Love
My surrender to God is rooted in my love for him and his love for me
I'm like Peter crying
Like Peter, I have moments of weakness and regret
Crowing burning my ears
I am haunted by my mistakes and failures
Still You come near
Despite my shortcomings, God remains close and merciful
You take my hand
God offers comfort and guidance in times of distress
And place it upon an eternal chance
Through his grace, God offers me a chance at redemption and eternal life
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW PRESTON SLOCUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind