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
Before You Vote
Thao Nguyen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No need to take it to November
Tiny-minded man of few syllables and a temper
Low-blow fashionable fear and loathing
Bullshit wolf in outsourced sheep′s clothing
Before you vote could we talk about it
Before you vote could we talk about it
Before you vote could we talk about it
You know you come from people who
Come from people who
Were not born here either
I lie awake
Oh my god no
No fucking way
Maybe I can see why
Maybe I can
Maybe I can see why
Maybe I can
No
I lie awake
Oh my god no
No fucking way
I lie awake
Oh my god no
No fucking way
He doesn't care about you
And he doesn′t care about me
He just wants his terrible reality show back on NBC
Honey he won't give you none of that self-made inheritance
Shame on us for pushing you into the palms of tiny hands
I lie awake
Oh my god no
No fucking way
I lie awake
Oh my god no
No fucking way
No fucking way
No fucking way
Before you vote could we talk about it
Before you vote could we talk about it
The lyrics in Thao Nguyen's song "Before You Vote" encourage thoughtful dialogue and reflection before casting a ballot in a political election. The artist implores the listener to consider the candidate's ideologies, behavior, and beliefs before making a decision. Nguyen openly criticizes Donald Trump, referring to him as a tiny-minded man of few syllables with a temper, and a low-blow fashionable fear and loathing with a bull-shit wolf in outsourced sheep's clothing. She highlights the importance of understanding one's heritage and how it shapes their perspective towards issues such as immigration.
The repetition of the phrase "Before you vote could we talk about it" not only emphasizes the song's central message but also serves as a reminder of the significance of conversation and openness to other viewpoints. The lines "He doesn't care about you, and he doesn't care about me" underscore the idea that politics is not a zero-sum game; something that hurts one person or a group harms everyone. It is essential to look past superficial traits and rhetoric to understand a politician's true intentions and examine how their actions might affect both individuals and society as a whole.
The song's lyrics extend beyond the U.S. presidency and are universally applicable to any political election. Through Thao Nguyen's powerful lyrics, Before You Vote becomes essential listening for anyone heading to the ballot boxes.
Line by Line Meaning
Ok babe you proved your point
I acknowledge that you've made your argument.
No need to take it to November
There's no need to wait until the election to have this conversation.
Tiny-minded man of few syllables and a temper
The candidate is short-sighted and prone to anger.
Low-blow fashionable fear and loathing
The candidate is using cheap tactics and promoting hate and fear.
Bullshit wolf in outsourced sheep′s clothing
The candidate is pretending to be something he's not, and his true intentions are deceitful.
Before you vote could we talk about it
Let's discuss this before making a decision.
You know you come from people who
You are part of a lineage that
Come from people who
descends from people who
Were not born here either
were also not originally from here, just like many other Americans.
I lie awake
I am kept up at night
Oh my god no
with a sense of disbelief or horror.
No fucking way
It's impossible or unacceptable.
Maybe I can see why
I might be starting to understand
He doesn't care about you
The candidate does not have your best interests at heart.
And he doesn′t care about me
The candidate is only interested in serving his own interests, not mine or yours.
He just wants his terrible reality show back on NBC
The candidate is more concerned with his own popularity and image than with serving the country.
Honey he won't give you none of that self-made inheritance
The candidate is not going to help everyday people achieve financial success.
Shame on us for pushing you into the palms of tiny hands
We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this candidate to gain so much power.
Before you vote could we talk about it
Let's have a conversation before casting a ballot.
Writer(s): Thao Nguyen
Contributed by Brooklyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ajschramm
love it!
@joegoodwill8925
I have a new favorite artist and song! Before trying to save the world, Thao fundraised for Oxfam America. You go Thao!
@frankcasale4334
LOVE this
@borednow5838
Has me in the trunce. This is awesome. First time I've heard Thao will be checking out more.
@eamon2please
What's a trunce?
@borednow5838
Don't know I could just play you and say I've made up a word, or that it really is a word just one you've not heard of etc.... But I have to be honest and I say I meant Trance!
@tbonenglish
God I love her.
@danielmendez9433
very Tuneyards-ey. Love it!
@unijaner
This is awesome. Those of you who don't get it, I'm guessing you don't listen to much music that is artful and edgy/ TRULY creative. It's SUPPOSE to be uncomfortable ! It's not SUPPOSE to groove in some kind of mainstream, pop, dancy way! It exemplifies the FEELINGS many of us are having! Come on, try to open your minds a little! Yes, to the person who mentioned the Tune Yards! Definitely same genre.
@imDezrt
Is this what living in Williamsburg feels like? Jesus fucking Christ