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
Moped
Thao Nguyen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you dare, don't you dare
True love will never get you past the parkway
I swear, I swear
Well, I gathered all my days to hold on against you
I wish that you would come home
So I could resent you
When all you ever wanted was a little of each
Bravado will take you far
But you will take me home
Bravado will take you far
But you will take me home
You're an eighteen-wheeler on a highway
That can't handle you
I'd like to barrel on, but I don't want to be a scandal, too
Take me on a family trip
Your girl is good and grown
Take me to a scenic lake
I will skip your heart of stone
Bravado will take you far
But you will take me home
Bravado will take you far
But you will take me home (x2)
Thao Nguyen's song "Moped" is a complex narrative that explores the complexities of love, desire and emotion. The song begins with the plea "Don't you dare ride your moped to my mother's house" which introduces the concept of forbidden love. The singer acknowledges that the love they share is true, but their relationship is constrained by outside forces, in this case, the mother. The singer repeats the phrase "I swear" which suggests a sense of desperation, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that their love is real despite the obstacles.
The second stanza continues the theme of longing and unrequited love. The singer suggests that they have gathered all their days to hold on against the object of their desire, but the other person seems to be distant and unresponsive. The line "How many words did I think you would keep when all you ever wanted was a little of each" is a powerful one, suggesting that no amount of pleading or words could make the other person reciprocate the singer's love.
The final stanza brings the song to a conclusion by focusing on the idea of escape and adventure. The singer likens their lover to an eighteen-wheeler on a highway, suggesting that they are unstoppable and hard to contain. At the same time, the singer acknowledges that they don't want to be caught up in any scandal, suggesting that there are risks involved in being with this person. The final lines of the song, "Take me to a scenic lake, I will skip your heart of stone", suggest that the singer is still holding onto the hope of a romantic escape, while recognizing that the other person may not feel the same way.
Overall, "Moped" is a complex and thought-provoking song that uses powerful and evocative language to explore the complicated terrain of love, desire and emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you dare ride your moped to my mothers house
I strongly advise you to refrain from riding your scooter to my mother's house.
Don't you dare, don't you dare
I am intensifying my earlier warning against you riding your moped to my mother's house.
True love will never get you past the parkway
Despite your love for me, you will never be able to bypass the highway.
I swear, I swear
I am emphasizing the validity of my previous statement that love has no chance against the parkway.
Well, I gathered all my days to hold on against you
I have exerted all my efforts to resist you and not let you have your way with me.
I wish that you would come home
Despite my resistance, I still secretly long for you to come back to me.
So I could resent you
However, if you do come back, I will hold a grudge against you for causing me this emotional turmoil.
How many words did I think you would keep
I once placed a lot of value on the promises and sweet nothings you whispered to me.
When all you ever wanted was a little of each
But in reality, all you really wanted was superficial affection and attention from me.
Bravado will take you far
You may have a lot of confidence and swagger.
But you will take me home
But ultimately, you will lead me back to where I started - a place where I am torn between loving and resenting you.
You're an eighteen-wheeler on a highway
You are like a massive truck driving down the highway, too overwhelming for me to handle.
That can't handle you
I am not equipped to deal with the intensity and emotions that come with being with you.
I'd like to barrel on, but I don't want to be a scandal, too
I would love to take a risk and be with you, but I am afraid of the social consequences and backlash that may come with it.
Take me on a family trip
Instead of risking scandal, I long for a peaceful vacation with you and your family.
Your girl is good and grown
I want you to acknowledge that I am a mature and capable woman who is worthy of your trust and love.
Take me to a scenic lake
I want to be taken to a beautiful and serene place where we can enjoy each other's company.
I will skip your heart of stone
However, if you continue to remain emotionally cold and distant, I will not be able to fully enjoy your company.
Bravado will take you far
Your confidence may serve you well in many situations.
But you will take me home
But ultimately, you will lead me back to the same place - a place where I am caught between loving and resenting you.
Bravado will take you far
Your confidence may serve you well in many situations.
But you will take me home (x2)
But regardless of how far bravado takes you, you will always bring me back to the same emotional state - torn between loving and resenting you.
Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chriskimforlife
:)