1. an indie folk ba… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands called The Dodos.
1. an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005
2. a short-lived British punk/rock band that evolved out of Swansea punk band The Urge in 1979
3. a short-lived British rock band that relelased one single in 1967
1. The Dodos are an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005. Almost all of their albums (except the very first one) are credited to Dodos (without 'The'), but they made their recording début as The Dodos and are listed as such on streaming platforms, which is why most of their scrobbles end up here. The Dodos is the preferred spelling. The band has two core members: Meric Long (vocals, guitar) and Logan Kroeber (drums). They have released eight studio albums since mid-2006: Beware of the Maniacs (2006), Visiter (2008), Time to Die (2009), No Color (2011), Carrier (2013), Individ (2015), Certainty Waves (2018) and Grizzly Peak (2021).
2. Having evolved in late 1979 out of Swansea punk band The Urge, The Dodos were named after the ephedrine-laced asthma tablets, consisting of Dickie Evans (vocals), Phil Roberts (guitar), Anthony Reed (bass) and Steve 'Gagsy' Garland (drums). They contributed a song (1981's 'Blind To Fiction') to a rare compilation called Sex, Violence and the Eternal Truth.
3. The Dodos were a very short-lived British rock band of the late 1960s. They released just one single: 'I Made Up My Mind' b/w 'Can't Make It Out' (Polydor, 1967). Both sides were penned by the band's main songwriter, Alan Hawkshaw.
Ashley
The Dodos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To Dolores
And leave me out in the street, I guess
It was for us
What are you thinking of, Ashley?
Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?
You come down from above, Ashley
You let me sleep and let me breathe
Where I need to
And fool my heart to think that I
Might have had you
What are you thinking of, Ashley?
Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?
You come down from above, Ashley
Take this hammer-handed heart
And pull it off my back
Heavy on my shoulders
Stranded in the open sea
I wait there hoping that
You'll come back to see me
Ashley...
The lyrics of The Dodos's song Ashley testifies of a longing and a desperate search for love that, unfortunately, never quite comes to fruition. The opening line "Take my hand and lead me out to Dolores" acts as a metaphor for escaping reality, a desire to leave the challenges of life behind and embrace a utopia where all things are effortless. This dream is grounded in the feeling that "It was for us". The use of the word 'us' is a reference to the idea that the dream of utopia is probably shared by many other people.
The lyrics that follow further reveal the singer's fixation on a woman named Ashley, so much that they are left questioning, "What are you thinking of, Ashley? Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?" These questions reflect a deep desire to enter her world and to be a part of her circle of thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. However, despite the longing that the singer experiences, Ashley seems distant, almost unattainable. When the singer sings "You let me sleep and let me breathe where I need to, and fool my heart to think that I might have had you", the pain of unrequited love is tangible in their voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand and lead me out
To Dolores
And leave me out in the street, I guess
It was for us
I trust you, lead me to where we need to go. Even if we're left on the street, I know it's for our benefit.
What are you thinking of, Ashley?
Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?
You come down from above, Ashley
I wonder what's going through your mind, Ashley? Who is occupying your thoughts, Ashley? You seem like an otherworldly being who's always up above.
You let me sleep and let me breathe
Where I need to
And fool my heart to think that I
Might have had you
You give me space to be myself and let me breathe where I feel comfortable. Even though I know I never truly had you, I let myself believe that I did, and it feels good.
Take this hammer-handed heart
And pull it off my back
Heavy on my shoulders
Stranded in the open sea
I wait there hoping that
You'll come back to see me
My heart feels heavy and burdensome, please take it off my shoulders. I feel lost and alone in the vast sea, hoping you'll come back to me and give me direction.
Ashley...
The repeated refrain emphasizes the importance of the titular character to the artist, and perhaps their longing for Ashley's presence in their life.
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@Pinewoods_keimpf
Ashley by The Dodos
Take my hand and lead me out
To Dolores
And leave me out in the street, I guess
It was for us
What are you thinking of, Ashley?
Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?
You come down from above, Ashley
You let me sleep and let me breathe
Where I need to
And fool my heart to think that I
Might have had you
What are you thinking of, Ashley?
Who are you dreaming of, Ashley?
You come down from above, Ashley
Take this hammer-handed heart
And pull it off my back
Heavy on my shoulders
Stranded in the open sea
I wait there hoping that
You'll come back to see me
Ashley...
@feedmebrains18
My name is Ashley and I am so happy that a beautiful song like this exists.
@aeyt4250
I loved an Ashley once. You might say I still do. This song speaks to me. It hurts my heart, while making me smile. How life changes.
@Pinewoods_keimpf
Oh wow, thank you for saying that. This is literally spot on and this song also speaks to me. I also loved an Ashley once. The only reason why I came here is for her. I still do love her but I guess I have to carry on and move forward. I've never loved a person so much until she came into my life. You just made my day and thank u so much for that.
@mysash8159
hello to other ashley's listening ☺
@ashpotatoes4262
Hi!
@ashleyperez6210
Hi Ashley 😘
@deziiwouah
Practically all their songs are a mix of "running music" (wich is totally inspiring and makes you think you can do anything) and "laying down and thinking music" (wich is the sort of music that simply makes you escape in your little world where you sometimes cry) overall, they're incredible ♥
@lkawinibabarhal2765
still hear this song in 2016
so strange...so adorable !!
@401reasons
Such a pretty song. Makes me wish I was an Ashley.
@ichabodcrane5273
This song gives me the chills.