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.
Virginia
The Head and the Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking home late
Smoke in my lungs and whiskey burning
In my veins
December won't be so forgiving
I'm haunted by a ghost
Of you and my past colliding
I can never go home
Wind in the night
Wind in the night
Thought that I heard you laughing
Wasn't that you, my darling?
Virginia don't sound like she used to
Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, baby
Virginia don't sound like she used to
Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, yeah
I've traveled all over in my life
But nothing's slowed me down
This place that I used to love, well
It's just another town
Wind in the night
The wind in the night
Remember I caught you dancing
Alone in my first apartment
(Wind in the night) Virginia don't sound like she used to
(The wind in the night) Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, baby
(Wind in the night) Virginia don't sound like she used to
(The wind in the night) Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, yeah
(But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby)
(I know her heart's beating for me, yeah)
Virginia don't sound like she used to
Virginia don't feel like she used to
I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
Another heart beating for me, yeah
(Wind in the night) Virginia don't sound like she used to
(The wind in the night) Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, yeah
(Wind in the night) Virginia don't sound like she used to
(The wind in the night) Virginia don't feel like she used to
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
I know her heart's beating for me, yeah
Wind in the night
The wind in the night
Wind in the night
The wind in the night
The song Virginia by The Head and the Heart is about a person returning to their hometown of Virginia after being away for a long time. The first verse sets the mood as the singer walks home late at night, with smoke and whiskey consuming them. December is personified as unforgiving, perhaps indicating that the singer is returning to Virginia during the harsh winter season. The singer is haunted by a ghost of their past colliding with the present as they realize that they can never really go back home.
The chorus repeats the idea that Virginia doesn't sound or feel like it used to, but the singer can feel its heart beating for them. The second verse reflects on the singer's experience of "traveling all over" and how it hasn't slowed them down. However, returning home to Virginia, they realize that it's no longer the place they used to love; it's just another town. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus.
Overall, the song Virginia explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and the realization that you can never truly go back to the place you once called home. It's about the bittersweet feeling of returning to a familiar place only to find that it's changed. The lyrics are beautifully poetic, painting a vivid picture of the streets of Virginia at night.
Line by Line Meaning
Virginia don't sound like she used to
Virginia has changed and doesn't sound the same as before.
Walking home late
The singer is walking home late at night.
Smoke in my lungs and whiskey burning
The singer is smoking and drinking whiskey, causing a burning sensation.
In my veins
The alcohol is making its way through the artist's bloodstream.
December won't be so forgiving
December is a harsh month and will not show mercy.
I'm haunted by a ghost
The singer is bothered by a ghost from the past.
Of you and my past colliding
The ghost is related to the singer's past relationship with someone else.
I can never go home
The past is preventing the artist from feeling at home.
Wind in the night
There is wind at night.
Thought that I heard you laughing
The artist hears laughter that they think is from a certain person.
Wasn't that you, my darling?
The singer wonders if the laughter came from someone they used to love.
But I can feel her heart beating for me, baby
Despite the changes in Virginia, the artist still feels a connection to her.
I know her heart's beating for me, baby
The singer is confident that Virginia's heart belongs to them.
I've traveled all over in my life
The singer has traveled extensively in their life.
But nothing's slowed me down
Their travels haven't slowed them down or deterred them from their goals.
This place that I used to love, well
The town the artist used to love isn't the same anymore.
It's just another town
It's now just another ordinary place.
Remember I caught you dancing
The singer has a memory of catching someone dancing in their apartment.
Alone in my first apartment
The singer was living alone in their first apartment when they caught someone dancing.
Another heart beating for me, yeah
Someone else's heart is also beating for the artist.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Casey Smith, Charity Rose Thielen, Chris Zasche, Jesse Shatkin, Jonathan Russell, Kenny Hensley, Matthew Gervais, Tyler Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Head And The Heart
We filmed this back home in Richmond, was so fun coming home. were you expecting that ending...?
Dub C
The Ending blew me away, especially after reading the lyrics. Incredible song and amazing video! Can't wait to see you live in Boise this summer!
Travis Williams
Lol it freaked my daughter's out a bit, but loved it!
Verona Raven
Beautiful.
Flagsreported
i really love this album s visuals and concept what an aesthetic
Kathy Hollenbach
Oh WOW!!! Did not see that coming!!! Great song!!
Sean Aaron
This song is absolute 🔥. Hits on so many levels.
Just heard this on How I Met Your Father
WAIT WHO IS GAMING
Same that’s why I’m here
starc suraj
I just came her after himyf ..... This is really great song .....nice addition to playlist
Yash Kunwar
us dude us!!!!