Composed primarily of transplants to the Seattle area, The Head and the Heart write and play songs that speak to the newness of a fresh start, of the ghosts left behind, of moving forward, all brimming with a soulfulness and hope for a better life than the one we've all been sold.
Stylistically, think a folksy Beatles or The Avett Brothers with a little extra oomph. Catchy piano melodies stand side by side with a tight trio of harmonies, and solid minimalist drums, groovin' bass, and plenty of hand percussion and foot stomps make the live show inspiring and really goddamn fun.
After the band self-released its eponymous debut album in June 2010, the emblematic Seattle label Sub Pop re-released the album. For the Sub Pop version, the song “Sounds like Hallelujah” has been re-recorded, live favorite “Rivers and Roads” has been added, and the album has been re-mastered.
The band's second album "Let's Be Still" was released on October 15, 2013.
The band released their third studio album, "Signs of Light", in September 2016.
The band's fourth album, "Living Mirage", was released in May 2019.
Band member Josiah Johnson released his debut solo album, "Every Feeling On a Loop", in September 2020.
Fire/Fear
The Head and the Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While I'm grading papers and tying shoes
You never had much to lose
So I'm blaming you for these hopeless blues
What's to say when the kids are gone?
I've made up the beds and been left alone
You look at me, as cold as a stone
You left me a fool
So what to do?
Hold me down if I'm running off
They say it gets better, baby, soon enough
So I'll shut my mouth and I'll steal my heart
I still feel like a girl, thinking when we started, but
I want to feel the fire again, with you or anybody else
I want to feel the fear again, with you or anybody else
So what to do? What to do?
The Head and the Heart's song "Fire/Fear" is a melancholic tune that speaks about loss, regret, and longing. The singer is drowning in despair as they try to make sense of their present state of mind. With lines like, "You never had much to lose, so I'm blaming you for these hopeless blues," the song seems to deal with an end of a relationship where the singer feels like they are the one left with nothing.
The lyrics also seem to touch on the aftermath of a breakup, where the singer is struggling with the mundane aspects of life, like grading papers and tying shoes, while trying to make sense of their emotions. The lines "What's to say when the kids are gone? I've made up the beds and been left alone" paint a picture of loneliness and isolation.
The singer is torn between wanting to move on and feeling stuck in their memories of the past. They long for the passion of their previous relationship, singing "I want to feel the fire again, with you or anybody else, I want to feel the fear again, with you or anybody else." The song ends with a sense of uncertainty and resignation, as the singer muses, "So what to do? What to do?"
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long way to the other room
The distance between us feels so extensive and lonely.
While I'm grading papers and tying shoes
I'm preoccupied with mundane tasks while everything else feels so difficult to manage.
You never had much to lose
You didn't invest much in this relationship, while I gave my all.
So I'm blaming you for these hopeless blues
I'm holding you accountable for my sadness.
What's to say when the kids are gone?
In the quietness after the kids have left, things feel so empty.
I've made up the beds and been left alone
I've gone through the motions of daily life but feel so abandoned.
You look at me, as cold as a stone
Your gaze towards me is unfeeling and harsh.
There's no way to write what's been done wrong
I can't fully articulate what's gone wrong and what's caused our disconnect.
You left me a fool
Your actions made me feel foolish and naive.
So what to do?
I'm unsure of how to move forward or fix things.
Hold me down if I'm running off
Please keep me grounded if I start to spiral out of control.
They say it gets better, baby, soon enough
Others offer hope that things will improve with time.
So I'll shut my mouth and I'll steal my heart
I'll try and contain my emotions and protect myself.
I still feel like a girl, thinking when we started, but
I still cling to the hope and excitement I felt when we first started our relationship.
I want to feel the fire again, with you or anybody else
I long for the passion and excitement we once had, whether with you or someone else.
I want to feel the fear again, with you or anybody else
I want to feel the excitement and nervousness of the unknown, whether with you or someone else.
So what to do? What to do?
I'm still unsure of how to proceed or what actions to take.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARITY ROSE THIENLEN, CHRIS ZASCHE, JONATHAN RUSSELL, JOSIAH JOHNSON, KENNY HENSLEY, TYLER WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Иван Бурцев
It's a long way to the other room
While I'm grading papers and tying shoes
You never had much to lose
So I'm blaming you for these hopeless blues
What's to say when the kids are gone?
I've made up the beds and been left alone
You look at me, as cold as a stone
There's no way to write what's been done wrong
You left me a fool
So what to do?
Hold me down if I'm running off
They say it gets better, baby, soon enough
So I'll shut my mouth and I'll steal my heart
I still feel like a girl, thinking when we started, but
I want to feel the fire again, with you or anybody else
I want to feel the fear again, with you or anybody else
So what to do? What to do?
Ten Suns
Man, theyre too good. nothing time and the pain of life cant teach any of us. every song motivates me to be a better musician.
James Reichert
Then be a better one
davinia grey
this band is soooo underrated.
James Reichert
You are underrated
Biscuit Boy
a suh
Tyler McPhail
I know its an amazing band. Especially in 2019 when it's all of this stupid rap no one likes folk anymore.
kenneth parente
After 32 years of marriage, the kids are gone and it's just the two of us without any distractions to take our mind off of the problems in our relationship. This is our new song.
Angelita Sheets
I hope you’ve been able to work thru things. <3
Shawn Collins
One of the best records from front to back.
Kemi Odukogbe
Your music gives me hope to become a musician❤️you guys inspire me so much. I wish I could write music that sounds this good.