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/
Drifting
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinning down to the pinpoint drop of isolation
In a spell
Walking away from the fire
That keeps my heart
From turning ice
Golden feet grace the surface of the sea
Flailing kicking as I head for the deep
I question a hypothetical lead supper
Oh God receive my outstretched hand
Will I inhale the blue
Spinning down upon the glass
A ghost towards realization of a cell
Enclosing the hauntings of a past
That blind the eyes
And rust the heart
So I fell
I need you to take my hand
And keep my heart from ice
The song "Drifting" by Sixpence None the Richer is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about feeling disconnected and isolated from a loved one. The lyrics convey a sense of drifting away from the giver of the love and falling into a pit of loneliness and despair. The opening lines "Drifting away from you, Spinning down to the pinpoint drop of isolation, In a spell" give the listener an idea of what the singer is feeling. He/she is slowly moving away from the person who gave him/her a reason to live and is now feeling lost and disconnected.
The second verse has an oceanic backdrop. It talks about the sinking and feeling of drowning in the waves of pain and sorrow as the singer is willingly heading for the deep. The "hypothetical lead supper" in the lines "I question a hypothetical lead supper, Oh God receive my outstretched hand" is a metaphor for the weight of sadness, weariness and hopelessness dragging the singer down. The chorus "So I fell, I need you to take my hand, And keep my heart from ice" is a plea for help and cries of the singer's willingness to accept any kind of help to get back on track and prevent his/her heart from freezing over.
The final verse talks about the past that still haunts, blinds the singer and rusts the heart. The singer can't seem to move on and he/she knows that moving on will mean letting go of the past. He/she wants the giver of the love to take his/her hand and be with him/her so that they can move forward together. In conclusion, "Drifting" by Sixpence None the Richer is a touching song that speaks to the listener on a deep emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
Drifting away from you
Moving slowly away from a loved one, feeling the distance between you grow
Spinning down to the pinpoint drop of isolation
Feeling yourself spiral down to a place of loneliness and separation
In a spell
Under the influence of a powerful force that's drawing you away
Walking away from the fire
Leaving behind the warmth and light of love
That keeps my heart
The love that sustains and warms you
From turning ice
Which keeps you from becoming cold and shut off from the world
Golden feet grace the surface of the sea
Seeing something beautiful and graceful on the surface of your life's journey
Sinking deeper I view them from underneath
But as you go deeper, you start to see the flaws and imperfections
Flailing kicking as I head for the deep
Feeling lost and panicked as you dive further into the unknown
I question a hypothetical lead supper
Wondering if you're headed for something poisonous and damaging
Oh God receive my outstretched hand
Reaching out for help and guidance from a higher power
Will I inhale the blue
Feeling like you're drowning in sadness and despair
Spinning down upon the glass
Spiraling further towards rock bottom
A ghost towards realization of a cell
Feeling trapped and alone, like a ghost confined to one small space
Enclosing the hauntings of a past
Struggling with memories and regrets that haunt you
That blind the eyes
That prevent you from seeing clearly and moving forward
And rust the heart
And corrode your ability to love and connect with others
So I fell
Finally losing your footing and giving in to the despair
I need you to take my hand
Calling out to someone for help and support
And keep my heart from ice
To keep your heart warm with love and connection, and prevent it from turning cold and empty
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DrunkShovel
Lyrics:
Drifting away from you
Spinning down to the pinpoint drop of isolation
In a spell
Walking away from the fire
That keeps my heart
From turning ice
Golden feet grace the surface of the sea
Sinking deeper I view them from underneath
Flailing kicking as I head for the deep
I question a hypothetical lead supper
Oh God receive my outstretched hand
Will I inhale the blue
Spinning down upon the glass
A ghost towards realization of a cell
Enclosing the hauntings of a past
That blind the eyes
And rust the heart
So I fell
I need you to take my hand
And keep my heart from ice