The group features Frazey Ford (guitar, vocals), Samantha Parton (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals) and Trish Klein (electric guitar, banjo, harmony vocals). Jolie Holland is a former member and also a frequent guest.
The story of the groups begins in early-to-mid ’90s in the Kootenay Mountains outside of British Columbia, where caravans of tree planters toiled each year to replenish the rich Canadian forests that suffer abuse by the lumber industry. Ford and Parton lived the vagabond lifestyle and made a rudimentary living as tree planters during the summer months and doing other odd jobs or traveling during the winters. When they met at a tree planters’ camp, they discovered a mutual love of music, but ultimately went their separate ways.
A few years later, Klein and Ford hooked up when both were attending music school in Nelson, British Columbia. For a time, the three of them headed in different directions: Ford went to Montreal and then Guatemala, Klein to Vancouver, and Parton traveled south through America with her dog Sherpa by her side, eventually settling in New Orleans. Chance brought the trio back together in Vancouver in the winter of 1999. By this time, each had been experimenting with many different styles of music – Ford was in a trip hop band in Montreal, Klein and Ford later formed the soul/folk band Saltwater June in Vancouver, and Parton had been touring the back roads of America with spoken word punk poet Chris Chandler as well as her country-duo side project, The Illegitimate Daughters of Johnny Cash.
Their luminous debut, ‘Blue Horse was named one of 2002′s Top 50 albums by Britain’s Q Magazine. The albums "Chinatown" followed in 2003 and "Hello Love" in 2006.
In 2008 the band took a break from touring and recording. Ford released her debut solo album, "Obadiah", in 2010. The band is scheduled to play the 2011 Winnipeg Folk Festival.
It's Not Happening
The Be Good Tanyas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
drivin' so fast, carving your way
through the city
well you can't tell me
you get what you want
you've figured it out
and yer just fine
you don't hear a thing
and all history unfolds before you
but you shut your eyes
but you shut your eyes
it's not happening
we all grew up and
we fend for ourselves
and we fend for each other
we fend for each other
sometimes
but you keep on racin' and runnin'
like something is chasing you
like something's gonna get you
well something's gonna get you someday
The Be Good Tanyas's song "It's Not Happening" is a song that touches on the idea of denial and avoidance. The lyrics depict a restless individual who is driving aimlessly around the city, trying to escape their problems but ultimately failing. The singer's mind is racing and they are trying to carve their way out of their situation, but they are in denial about the reality of their situation. They try to convince themselves that they have it all figured out and that everything is fine, even though deep down they know that this is not true.
The lyrics "you're talking to yourself, you don't hear a thing" suggest that the singer is lost in their own thoughts and not listening to the advice of others. They are also closing their eyes to the reality of their situation, refusing to acknowledge what is happening in their life. The line "all history unfolds before you" implies that the singer can see their future playing out before them, but they are ignoring it. The chorus "it's not happening" reinforces the idea that the singer is in denial and trying to avoid their problems.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that avoidance and denial will not make our problems disappear. We must confront our problems head-on and accept the reality of our situation in order to move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
the way your mind works
The way you think and approach life
drivin' so fast, carving your way through the city
You are moving fast, taking control and making your own path through life
well you can't tell me you get what you want, you've figured it out and yer just fine
You pretend to have everything figured out, but you are not truly content and fulfilled
cuz you're talking to yourself, you don't hear a thing
You are not open to feedback or the perspectives of others
and all history unfolds before you, but you shut your eyes
You are too focused on your own goals and not aware of the bigger picture of the world around you
it's not happening
You are in denial about the reality of your situation
we all grew up and we fend for ourselves
As adults, we are responsible for our own lives
and we fend for each other, we fend for each other sometimes
We also have a responsibility to help and support one another
but you keep on racin' and runnin' like something is chasing you, like something's gonna get you
You are constantly in a state of anxiety and fear, feeling like you need to keep pushing forward
well something's gonna get you someday
Eventually, your way of living will catch up to you and have consequences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reddwing4368
My girls
My girls
My god
Canada s sweet pride
All Vancouver s idea
Or origanil state of mind
Back then
Feeling so fine
So fine
My girls
My life
My god tonight
Talking to you and listening to the wind in reply
Your still outta site
And mind
After all this time
But Now you ve quickened me for one last try
Just one last time
P$
(This is the first prayer I ve ever written!
Didn t start out too
But here it is
This song is so spiritual
It just spilled from the shadows of God's hand tonight)
@CactusConnection
well... I feel like I'm back home when I was a child, opening the doors of my grandma's and grandpa's secret places, filled up with a thousand of memories! This song is wonderful!!
@Noellenc
Friggin' love this band and this song. Their songs give me the greatest feeling... When songs can take you to another place and time, and make you really feel like you're there living it, that's classic music. This definitely is. =D
@jeffthompson6431
I've been playing this song over and over again during these horrible times. Thank you ladies for your beautiful work.
@bastardmcx5229
I love this band!
@kkoutdoors1670
They are so good, No one even knows about them ? :( love em
@superliesjee
wow i'm so happy i found this
@alizarai1
I've seen them live twice. The first time in North Carolina at a music festival and the second time on their Chinatown tour at the Iota Club in Virginia. They are fantastic and so sweet. They are truly my favorite group and I can't wait to see them play again.
@cynicinaminute
IM in love with them. Im here in tiny New Zealand and well, they give me soooo much nostalgia. I wish i was like them. Definately one of my favourite groups
@milkmit
These gals and Great Lake Swimmers are two of the most talented and soulful bands I've heard in a long while that are terribly, terribly, underrated. Heavenly...
@reddwing4368
My girls
My girls
My god
Canada s sweet pride
All Vancouver s idea
Or origanil state of mind
Back then
Feeling so fine
So fine
My girls
My life
My god tonight
Talking to you and listening to the wind in reply
Your still outta site
And mind
After all this time
But Now you ve quickened me for one last try
Just one last time
P$
(This is the first prayer I ve ever written!
Didn t start out too
But here it is
This song is so spiritual
It just spilled from the shadows of God's hand tonight)