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
Geography
Thao Nguyen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is gonna make a mess of me
Oh, geography
Is gonna make a mess of me
My my mouth
A confessional cannon
Run away from me
Are you unhappy for me?
I am unhappy for you
All I can think to do
Get you get you get you
Good good good good
But I don’t know
What I don’t know
Well I don’t know
What I don’t know
Oh, oh
Fire compels
Fire consumes
You are a cheater
You are too fireproof
You are fireproof
I am a smoky plume I am
Climb a ladder up to
Your bedroom
But I don’t know
What I don’t know
Well I don’t know
What I don’t know
Oh, oh
My blood is thin
With aspirin
I throw you in
I throw you in
My blood is thin
With aspirin
I throw you in
I throw you in
I throw you in
The song Geography by Thao Nguyen is a reflection on the complexities and difficulties inherent in relationships. The repeated refrain of "geography is gonna make a mess of me" speaks to the ways in which distance and separation can make it challenging for two people to maintain a connection. The confessional nature of the lyrics is emphasized by the imagery of the singer's mouth as a "confessional cannon," indicating a desire to be honest and open about their feelings.
The lines "Are you unhappy for me? I am unhappy for you" further emphasize the ways in which relationships can be difficult and painful, as both parties may be struggling with their own issues and challenges. The bridge of the song introduces the metaphor of fire, with the singer describing their partner as "too fireproof" and themselves as a "smoky plume." This imagery captures the ways in which some people may be better equipped to handle the intensity and passion of a relationship, while others may feel overwhelmed or consumed by it.
Overall, Geography is a poignant and introspective song that delves into the complexities of love and longing. Its use of evocative imagery and clever wordplay make it a standout track in Thao Nguyen's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, geography
The study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere
Is gonna make a mess of me
It will cause confusion and problems in my life
My my mouth
Refers to the ability of someone to confess
A confessional cannon
A metaphor for someone who frequently shares their deepest secrets and feelings
Run away from me
These secrets will escape and cause problems
With the most reckless of abandon
Without care for the consequences
Are you unhappy for me?
Questioning if the other person feels bad for the singer
I am unhappy for you
The singer feels sympathy for the other person
All I can think to do
The singer is unsure how to help
Get you get you get you
Trying to fix things
But I don’t know
Admitting a lack of knowledge
What I don’t know
The singer is confused
Fire compels
A metaphor for passion
Fire consumes
Passion can quickly become all-consuming
You are a cheater
The other person has betrayed the singer's trust
You are too fireproof
The other person is not affected by the singer's passion
You are fireproof
The other person is not affected by the singer's passion
I am a smoky plume I am
The singer is consumed by the passion and feelings
Climb a ladder up to
The singer is trying to reach the other person
Your bedroom
The goal is to be close to the other person
My blood is thin
The singer is feeling weak and vulnerable
With aspirin
The singer is taking medicine to alleviate physical pain
I throw you in
The singer is placing blame on the other person
I throw you in
The singer is placing blame on the other person
I throw you in
The singer is placing blame on the other person
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: THAO NGUYEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Brackett
"Fire compels, fire consumes" such great lyrics in all their songs!
William Dukane
This is such an awesome song! Thao I hope you got your boots back! :-)
xTwisted
i'm her fan. :) i love your voooice ! it's so chill !
Drew D'Arcangelo
This might be her only song better in studio cuz it has that piano
Bell's Theorem
YouTube + collapse of the music empire = gems like this.
Ted-Anthony Mercado
i love you. you're awesome.