Before his suicide in March 2010, Linkous created many albums of beauty and discord and much of Sparklehorse's music has an introspective, melancholy feel, which Linkous credited to a chemical imbalance. His lyrics are full of odd imagery: Joe Tangari describes Linkous' songs as "defiantly surrealist... with all manner of references to smiling babies, organ music, birds, and celestial bodies... In fact, some of the lyrics are so surreal that it's hard to imagine they're even metaphors for anything."
Musically, Sparklehorse were not far removed from alt country, though there are as many differences as similarities between that genre and Sparklehorse: Linkous was fond of incorporating obsolete musical instruments or technologies (such as woozy mellotrons, scratchy, distorted wire recordings of his own voice, or cheap, tinny drum machines), in ways reminiscent of some of Tom Waits' music. As an extension of this style, Sparklehorse was a pioneering voice in dream country. Sparklehorse offered a few full-throttle hard rock numbers, as well, such as "Some Day I Will Treat You Good" or "Happy Man".
Sparklehorse's first album was the confoundingly-titled Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (1995). The record was a modest success, mainly on college radio. The supporting tour, however, found Linkous overdosing on valium and antidepressants. As a result, Linkous passed out in his London hotel room and remained unconscious with his legs pinned beneath him for almost fourteen hours.
This caused a buildup of potassium which was released when he was moved, causing his heart to stop for two to three minutes. He was hospitalized for weeks afterwards (nearly losing both legs), enduring numerous painful surgeries.
Good Morning Spider (1999) was recorded following this incident, and with mournful songs such as "Painbirds", many critics have mistakenly conjectured that Linkous's near death experience inspired the somber, yet hopeful tone of the album. However, Linkous has stated that much of the material on GMS was written prior to 'the incident'. One song which did result from it is "St. Mary", which is dedicated to the nurses at the hospital of the same name where Linkous recuperated.
2001 saw the release of It's A Wonderful Life and features appearances by Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Nina Persson and Dave Fridmann, the pre-eminent producer of indie music at the time. Whereas much of "Vivadixie..." and "Spider" were recorded solely by Linkous in his "Static King" studio on his farm in rural Virginia, "Wonderful Life" was more of a formal effort, largely recorded by Fridmann after Linkous was asked by his label to retain an outside producer for the project.
Aside from his own music, Linkous has also become a sought-after record producer, and has helmed works such as Nina Persson's solo record, "A Camp", and Daniel Johnston's "Fear Yourself". Linkous has been one of the most ardent supporters of Johnston, an outsider artist who has had a long battle with mental illness. In 2004, Linkous curated and produced "Discovered Covered: The Late Great Daniel Johnston", a tribute album to the still-living Johnston featuring acts such as Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Vic Chesnutt, Tom Waits and Bright Eyes. It also includes a collaboration between Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips on the track "Go".
In 2003, Sparklehorse opened some concerts for R.E.M.
Linkous relocated his "Static King" studio to a remote mountaintop in North Carolina. Several years ago, he purchased a vintage recording console built by the near-mythical Daniel Flickinger. His fourth album has been delayed due to his own health problems as well as the necessity of overhauling the temperamental recording desk. Recently, Linkous has been carrying out promotional work for a new album Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain - collaborating with Danger Mouse and other notables including Christian Fennesz and Steven Drozd, and a release date of 25th September 2006 accompanied by US and UK tours was officially announced. Some of the newly released songs appeared at the time of It's A Wonderful Life as b-sides or demos, but there is a different feel to the album, thanks to stripped down production that has only been hinted at in previous albums. The ten minute long finale, with same title as the album, suggests a contemplative movie soundtrack rather than a song. Linkous has since realised his own ultimate song, remaining only now in music.
On March 6, 2010, Linkous committed suicide with a shotgun blast to his heart in the backyard of a friend's house in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 47 years old. A retail version of his delayed collaboration with Danger Mouse, "The Dark Night of the Soul", was released in July 2010.
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Hundreds Of Sparrows
Sparklehorse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are worth hundreds of sparrows
The tree you planted has become fecund
With kamikaze hummingbirds
Wings of hundreds of beats per second
Of people whose wings are just a blur
Afraid our eyes might become impaled
I'm so sorry
My spirit's rarely in my body
It wanders through the dry country
Looking for a good place to rest
Your head upon my chest
And I can feel the pillow of your breast
You are worth hundreds of sparrows
The song "Hundreds of Sparrows" by Sparklehorse is a poignant tribute to the worth and value of human life. The opening lines, "Every hair on your head is counted / You are worth hundreds of sparrows," speaks to the biblical reference that even the smallest of creatures, such as sparrows, are known and valued by God. In essence, the song is telling its listeners that they too are seen and valued for who they are.
The song then goes on to describe how the things we do in life can have a profound impact on the world around us. "The tree you planted has become fecund / With kamikaze hummingbirds" is a metaphor for how our actions can have unexpected consequences that ripple outward. The kamikaze hummingbirds, with their tiny but powerful wings, represent the many small things we do in life that may seem inconsequential but can ultimately contribute to something much bigger.
The final verse of the song is a beautiful expression of longing and intimacy. The singer apologizes for their spiritual wanderings and expresses a desire to find a place to rest. The image of resting with a loved one, with "your head upon my chest / And I can feel the pillow of your breast," is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in the world and that there is comfort to be found in human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Every hair on your head is counted
You are cherished and valued beyond measure, every detail of you is noticed and appreciated.
You are worth hundreds of sparrows
You are precious and valuable, much like the countless sparrows that symbolize God's love and care in the Bible.
The tree you planted has become fecund
The impact of your actions have yielded beautiful growth, just like the tree you planted that now bears fruit and provides a home for kamikaze hummingbirds.
With kamikaze hummingbirds
The hummingbirds are fearless and dedicated, like the passion and commitment you put into your endeavors.
Wings of hundreds of beats per second
The hummingbirds' wings move so quickly that they're almost invisible, representing the frenetic energy and excitement of life.
Of people whose wings are just a blur
In comparison, humans seem sluggish and slow, often failing to keep pace with the relentless speed of life.
Afraid our eyes might become impaled
The hummingbirds' beaks are sharp and pointed, a reminder that it's easy to get hurt or overwhelmed when you take risks and open yourself up to the world.
By their sharp and tiny beaks
Despite their small size, hummingbirds are fierce and powerful, like the hidden strengths and capabilities that lie within us all.
I'm so sorry
The singer expresses regret for being absent or disengaged, struggling to be fully present in their own life.
My spirit's rarely in my body
They feel disconnected or disembodied, like their mind and soul are often detached from the physical world around them.
It wanders through the dry country
Their spirit is searching for a sense of purpose or meaning, wandering through a parched and barren landscape in search of something more fulfilling.
Looking for a good place to rest
They long for a sense of peace and stability, hoping to find a safe haven where they can re-center and recharge.
Your head upon my chest
They find comfort and solace in the presence of another, someone who they can lean on and who will provide a sense of security and safety.
And I can feel the pillow of your breast
The softness of their loved one's body creates a literal and emotional cushion, easing their anxieties and helping them feel more grounded and anchored.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK LINKOUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind