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
Listen Girl
The Frames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you ask me very nice
I just might tell you the truth
Because you give me love and I like it
And charming as you might be
Listen girl you like it to
All of the corner kids
Dreaming of playgrounds and toys
Well they're dreaming no more
'Cause they've been there before
And now they just sit and absorb
Like when I couldn't get out of bed
Oh I could hardly walk
But I come here to muse
I come here to talk
To say listen girl
And the fluids
That hold me in my mind
A candle in the way
To falling back in time
And beer
The wilful little tout
That brightens up my nights
But hoodoo when I'm awake
The lyrics to The Frames' song "Listen Girl" are complex in their simplicity. The singer is addressing a girl who he has a strong connection with. He hints that if she asks him very nicely, he might reveal some deeper truths to her. He acknowledges the love that she gives him and that he likes it. At the same time, he recognizes that she likes it too. The message in this verse is that both the singer and the girl are aware of their mutual affection for each other.
The second verse is a commentary on the futility of chasing after material things. The kids who are seeking joy through playgrounds and toys are ultimately disappointed because they've been down that road before. The singer seems to be saying that pursuing these things is not worth it because, in the end, you're left with nothing but emptiness. The third verse talks about the things that the singer uses to get through his day-to-day life. The fluids that hold him in his mind and the beer that brightens up his nights. These things are his crutches, but he acknowledges that they are not a permanent solution to his problems.
Overall, "Listen Girl" is a song about truth, love, and the search for fulfillment amidst the mundane struggles of daily life. The singer recognizes the importance of honesty and communication in his relationship with the girl he addresses. He also acknowledges the pointlessness of seeking happiness in material possessions, and instead focuses on the small pleasures that bring him comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen girl I might
I may tell you something, girl.
If you ask me very nice
If you ask me in a sweet manner, I might reveal the truth.
I just might tell you the truth
I may reveal the truth to you, girl.
Because you give me love and I like it
I enjoy receiving your love and affection.
And charming as you might be
Despite your charming ways,
Listen girl you like it to
You like me too, girl.
All of the corner kids
The children on the street corners,
They're looking for joy
Are searching for happiness.
Dreaming of playgrounds and toys
Fantasizing about playgrounds and toys.
Well they're dreaming no more
Their dreams have been crushed.
'Cause they've been there before
Because they have experienced it already.
And now they just sit and absorb
And now they just sit and take it all in.
Like when I couldn't get out of bed
Like when I was feeling too unwell to leave bed.
Oh I could hardly walk
I could barely take steps.
But I come here to muse
But I come here to think deeply.
I come here to talk
I come here to communicate.
To say listen girl
To say, hey, girl, listen.
And the fluids
And the liquids within me.
That hold me in my mind
That confine me to my thoughts.
A candle in the way
An obstruction in the path of progress.
To falling back in time
To regression into the past.
And beer
And alcoholic beverages.
The wilful little tout
The persistent little salesman.
That brightens up my nights
That makes my nighttime more enjoyable.
But hoodoo when I'm awake
But it is a curse when I am conscious.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Christopher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind