The Frames have been together since 1990 and are a survivor of Dublin's prolific early 90's rock and roll scene. They have also been essential in the development of the current crop of emerging Irish rock bands, such as Turn. The Frames have toured with various other Irish artists, including Damien Rice and Bell X1. In December 2004, Hansard appeared on stage in a collaboration with singer songwriter Paddy Casey.
The name The Frames reportedly arose from Hansard's habit, at a young age, of fixing the bicycles of many of his friends. The large number of bicycle frames lying around his house led neighbours to dub it the "house with the frames".
Their new, 6th studio album, The Cost, is available in Ireland since 22 September 2006 and worldwide since 20 February 2007.
Lead singer Hansard recently collaborated with Czech musician Markéta Irglová, which led to the solo album "The Swell Season". Glen and Markéta also star and perform in the John Carney movie Once (www.oncethemovie.com). The movie received several awards including the World Cinema Audience Award - Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival as well as an Oscar for best Song for the track "Falling Slowly".
On several occasions the members of The frames appear on stage during the Swell season gigs.
www.theframes.ie
Happy
The Frames Lyrics
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Cake in my eyes, I cannot see
I spent all my time in the esky
One short life and I feel free
It’s a frenzy
Cake in my eyes, I cannot see
I spent all my time in the esky
One short life and I feel free
Cowboys in Nike expressing
I know that I need some expressing
In the house thinkin bout the next thing woo
It’s a tension
How many gods fit in a tin
How many tins fit in my sock
It’s a good year when the clown knocks
It’s a frenzy
Cake in my eyes, I cannot see
I spent all my time in the esky
One short life and I feel free
It’s a frenzy
Cake in my eyes, I cannot see
I spent all my time in the esky
One short life and I feel free
The Frames' song "Happy" showcases a sense of vulnerability as it tackles the idea of feeling defeated and needing help to overcome such negative emotions. The singer seems to be seeking assistance from anyone who is willing to lend a hand as he expresses his feelings of exhaustion from constantly trying to find joy in situations that are lacking it. In the opening lines, the singer mentions feeling "sick from the fight" and how he "inserted a laugh where there's none." This line suggests that he has been trying to find happiness in situations where it does not exist.
The imagery of a "tuneless song" is used to express a feeling of being worn down as the singer states that it kept him up all night. He then asks to be taken to a fair where the "lifeless singers will let you ride up beside them sometimes." Here the singer might be suggesting that he wants to escape reality and find a space where he can feel a sense of belonging. This might be why he seems frustrated with the idea of "building divides." The singer asks why anyone would want to put a line where it should not exist, highlighting the idea that we should all strive towards building connections rather than borders.
In conclusion, "Happy" by The Frames is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of vulnerability and the universal human need for a sense of happiness and belonging. The singer's introspective lines and emotive delivery make this song a true classic that is relatable to a wide audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Come help me out I'm sick from the fight
I need your help because I am tired and worn out from fighting.
from inserting a laugh where there's none
I am trying to force laughter even though there is nothing funny.
show me where this joke got tired
Please explain to me when this joke became unfunny.
tell me you know cause I'm slow catching on..
I am having trouble understanding, so please explain it to me slowly and clearly.
your trying to break me down with your tuneless song
You are trying to wear me down with your monotonous and uninspiring music.
that kept me up all night
Your music prevented me from sleeping.
take me to the fair where the lifeless singers
Please take me somewhere where the performers are not very talented or enthusiastic.
will let you ride up beside them sometimes
They will let you join in and sing along with them occasionally.
and your putting a line where there should be not a line
You are creating division where there should be none.
and your building divides..
You are creating divisions and separation between people.
come cut me out I got caught in the wire
I am trapped and need to be freed or rescued.
from believing the filtering downs
I am stuck because I believed and followed something that was not true or helpful.
show me where the stakes got higher
Please explain to me when the situation became more difficult or risky.
just goes to show how slow we've become
This just demonstrates how we have become slower and less capable of handling challenges.
why are you building divides.
I do not understand why you are creating separation and discord between people.
is it some failing in your life.
Is this because of something you are struggling with or because of a mistake you have made?
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Mahne Bonney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ernest Stewart
Very uplifting. Very life inspiring.