Nguyen released her second album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, on Jan. 29, 2008. It is credited to "Thao With The Get Down Stay Down on the spine of the release and marketed as just Thao on the jewel case security label and sticker on front of the release and all material from KRS records."
After picking up her guitar at the age of 12, Thao Nguyen began performing and recording as a pop-country duo with a high school friend. Raised in Falls Church, Virginia with her single mother, she often practiced her songs while working at her mother's laundromat. She often cites Lilith Fair as an inspiration for her desire to become a singer/songwriter. After recording an EP that differed from her initial style, she began performing as a soloist with her acoustic guitar. In 2005 she recorded Like The Linen, her first full-length album.
Nguyen initially toured as a duo with drummer Willis Thompson, but expanded her act to a band of four durng the Kill Rock Stars "Sound The Hare Heard" tour. The band now consists of Nguyen, Willis Thompson, Adam Thompson, and Frank Stewart. The band was named The Get Down Stay Down by a former bassist.
Thao Nguyen continues to perform as a soloist on occasion, including a European tour with Laura Veirs and the Tortured Souls in August 2006.
website; www.thaomusic.com
Bag of Hammers
Thao Nguyen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In your front yard
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
And there's a hole in your head
We wanted you bad
You wanted it more
The trick is
You do not get on that interstate bus
The catch is
You stay and see what becomes of us
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
I am all in a ball
In your front yard
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
The song "Bag of Hammers" by Thao Nguyen is a metaphorical representation of the relationship between two individuals who are trying to navigate their way through their differences to keep their relationship alive. The singer of the song is in the front yard of their lover's house, "in a ball" and "holding a bag of hammers." This depiction symbolizes the singer's feelings of vulnerability, fear and insecurities.
The opening lines, "I am all in a ball, in your front yard, I have this bag of hammers and I won't ask to come in" suggest that the person is reluctant to enter the house, constantly second-guessing themselves and whether or not they are worthy of love. The singer also states, "Still I have, have got some manners," emphasizing that despite their perceived inadequacy, they have a sense of respect for their partner.
The second verse describes the lovers' strained relationship, alluding to the idea that the two individuals are on different paths in life. The line, "We wanted you bad, you wanted it more" suggests that while the singer wants to make a connection, their lover is perhaps more emotionally invested in the relationship. The chorus provides resolution, offering the singers' way forward to reconnect: shake up their relationship through communication, causing the "frame of this house" to scream in distress, but ultimately leading to any unresolved issues to be smoothed over like "a lick of ice cream."
Line by Line Meaning
I am all in a ball
I am curled up and possibly distressed
In your front yard
I am physically present outside your house
I have this bag of hammers
I have a metaphorical toolset for causing disruption and destruction
And I won't ask to come in
I am not requesting entry into your life or home
'Cause I have sold everything
I have given up everything for some reason
Still I have, have got some manners
I still possess etiquette and civility
And there's a hole in your head
You are lacking something or are incomplete
Spilled your thoughts on the floor
You have let your innermost ideas and feelings be known
We wanted you bad
We desired you greatly
You wanted it more
However, you had even more desire than we did
The trick is
The key here is
You do not get on that interstate bus
Do not take the easy route, the one everyone else is taking
The catch is
The difficult part is
You stay and see what becomes of us
Stay and endure the hard work to witness our future together
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Rattle and disturb the foundations of our relationship
Distress the wood, make it shout
Cause unrest and chaos in our situation
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
Even though my words are cutting and impactful
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
They ultimately bring comfort and relief, right?
Like a lick of ice cream
Similar to enjoying a small and pleasant delight
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vincent Ammirato
So 12 years later Thao is BOOMING yet this is still somehow my favorite song of hers.
Gaia So
Since A Man Alive came out, this song makes so much more sense to me.
Frank Casale
still a special jewel of a song, 12 years later...
Yakko Benefiel
14 years n still stands fer true
TheAyeAye1
Love this song. Love this video. Thao is what's right with Indie pop.
Aaron Crawford
This is just so charming and sweet! I love how well this video goes with the music.
Charles Ju
This is an awesome song, you should be on MTV.
Dariohectorio
This is just lovely.
andreminor
Great video for an awesome song!! Thao is so great :)
A6
Remembering this old classic.