James Wilson plays acoustic guitar and is the band's lead vocalist. Sam Wilson plays electric guitar and sings backup vocals, occasionally taking over lead vocals as well. Abe Wilson plays piano, organ and banjo and also provides vocals. Seth Green plays bass and Todd Wellons plays drums.
In 2006 the band won the University of Virginia's battle of the bands. They took their prize - recording time at Crystalphonic Studios - and cut their first album, "A Far Cry From Freedom," which sold over 1000 copies within its first 8 months.
Websites: http://www.sonsofbill.com and http://www.myspace.com/sonsofbillmusic
The Tree
Sons of Bill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't look so surprised
you could have seen this come
right before your ride
my brain is up in the bilf
while you bean down the door
on knock a little loud
shout a little more
It won't do much good
and it won't to thank
you always thought I would
my mind is out on the .
you see I'm tryin talk to you
is like talking to tree
'cause it don't do much good
it talk to thank
You say you open up your arm,
open up your mind
careful what you wishful
who knows what you're fine
boxes next to box
and is plenty here to do
but the walls ain't got no wind
and ain't get much through
It won't do much good
and it won't to thank
you always thought I would
my mind is out on the .
you see I'm tryin talk to you
is like talking to tree
'cause it don't do much good
it talk to thank
It won't do much good
and it won't to thank
you always thought I would
my mind is out on the .
you see I'm tryin talk to you
is like talking to tree
'cause it don't do much good
it talk to thank
The song "The Tree" by Sons of Bill is a reflective piece that talks about communication issues and the inability to connect with someone, despite the efforts made. The lyrics suggest that the person singing has tried to communicate with the other person but it has been futile because the other person is not listening or is unable to understand the messages. The lines, "Don't look so defeat / don't look so surprised / you could have seen this come / right before your ride" highlights the disappointment that what would eventually cause the rift in the relationship was foreseeable.
The imagery used in the song, "my brain is up in the bilf / while you bean down the door / on knock a little loud / shout a little more" depicts the frustration the singer has with the other person's inability to listen and understand. The metaphor of talking to a tree expresses the singer's difficultly in communicating with the other person. `
Overall, the song "The Tree" by Sons of Bill is a poignant reflection on communication difficulties in relationships and the obstacles that may result from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look so defeat
Don't appear so defeated or hopeless
don't look so surprised
There were signs of what was coming, so don't act shocked
you could have seen this come
You had the opportunity to notice this beforehand
right before your ride
Just before the event, situation or experience
my brain is up in the belfry
I'm not thinking clearly or rationally
while you bean down the door
You're getting angry or aggressive
on knock a little loud
You're being more forceful in your communication
shout a little more
You're raising your voice
It won't do much good
Your actions or words won't have a significant impact
and it won't to thank
It won't make a difference in the end
you always thought I would
You had faith in my ability to change things
my mind is out on the .
My thoughts are not clear or focused
you see I'm tryin talk to you
I'm attempting to communicate with you
is like talking to tree
It feels like my words are not being heard or understood
'cause it don't do much good
Because it's not having a significant impact
you say you open up your arm,
You claim to be open-minded and accepting
open up your mind
Be willing to consider different perspectives or ideas
careful what you wishful
Be careful what you wish for or desire
who knows what you're fine
You may not get what you're hoping for
boxes next to box
Things are organized and neat
and is plenty here to do
There's plenty to keep busy with
but the walls ain't got no wind
There's no ventilation, things are stagnant
and ain't get much through
Not much is changing or progressing
Writer(s): Joyce Kilmer, Oscar Rasbach
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
annabelle 1980
These guys are poets, their lyrics can hardly leave anyone indifferent.
Rick Stafford
Sons of Bill rock!
Hoffy
Thanks to what ever commercial it was that turned me on to these guys. Good choice and as it turns out there's more than what you even asked for. I'm now a fan. Very good songwriters.