Their signature style is dreamy slow songs, with beautiful melodies.
The original band, including Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 80s when the members met during a Catholic school production of Godspell. Although all members of the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does most of the group's writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, and the album’s second track, "Black Sheep Wall", released as a single in 1989, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, "Clear to You", was used on the soundtrack of the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records), Was produced by Dennis Herring, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein's heavier production style. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and The Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring's lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group's guitar work and to Karen's vocals and lyrics.
Glow contains songs that appear on the soundtracks of the films Empire Records, and Dream for an Insomniac, as well as the television series Party of Five. The album’s second track, Bright as Yellow, peaked on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks at #33.
In 1999 the band recorded for a new label, Badman. Additionally, drummer Steve Brown left the band to pursue a career as a chef. On the subsequent album, Birds of My Neighborhood, Brown played drums and brushes on "Snow," but otherwise the group became a trio. Now bereft of drums, their sound took an even more acoustic direction. Some songs featured just Don and Karen, and a few, such as "She May Turn Around," featured only Karen's voice and instrumentation.
The 2000 release of Christ is My Hope, featuring religious music that had inspired them over the years, was independently released on their own website. Small Planes, released in 2001, featured outtakes from Glow and Birds of My Neighborhood. 2003's Befriended was their next "regular" album.
In 2004, the Innocence Mission released Now the Day is Over, a collection of lullabies. Except for "My Love Goes With You," all songs are cover versions, such as a stripped-down vocal and piano rendition of Henry Mancini's Moon River,
The Innocence Mission's new album We Walked in Song was released March 13, 2007.
Beginning the World
The Innocence Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was home from the school town, undecided
and questions came, like:
"what did you say you're doing now?"
well, I, I had hopes for my music
and I imagined their faces said:
"well, you can't do that, you silly thing,"
god, he gave me a brave heart
but god, he gave me a chicken head
and I felt I'd failed
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
aren't you bursting with butterflies
on the fourth of september?
like you'll have to get on the bus
in your tartan dress, with your lunch box
though your body is twenty-nine
though your mind is an old thing
I mean, don't you ever sigh?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
always the same underdog stance
under the same happy-sad sky
eternally crying, am I still shy?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
beginning the world
The Innocence Mission's "Beginning the World" is a nostalgic song that reflects on the insecurities and uncertainties of life, particularly when it comes to pursuing one's passion. The song begins with the singer returning home from college, unsure of what the future holds. The questions she faces are ones that young adults often encounter: what are you going to do now? The singer expresses her hopes for her music and imagines the disappointing responses of others who don't believe in her pursuits.
What follows in the song is a beautiful juxtaposition of youth and aging. The second verse evokes memories of childhood, with the singer recalling the feeling of starting a new school year, despite being an adult now. The lyrics suggest that even as adults, we are still just beginning the world - we are still learning and growing, and we never truly have it all figured out.
The bridge of the song further highlights the emotional complexities of life. The singer asks if she's still shy and reflects on the "same happy-sad sky," suggesting that even as we age and grow, some things remain constant - the joy and pain that come with life experiences.
Overall, "Beginning the World" is a poignant reminder that life is full of uncertainties, but that we must continue to pursue our passions and grow as individuals, no matter our age.
Line by Line Meaning
I was home by the winter
I returned home during the beginning of the winter season
I was home from the school town, undecided
I was uncertain about my future after leaving school and returning home
and questions came, like:
People started asking me questions, such as
"what did you say you're doing now?"
"What are you currently pursuing?"
well, I, I had hopes for my music
I had aspirations of pursuing music
and I imagined their faces said:
I could envision the disbelief on their faces when they heard my plans
"well, you can't do that, you silly thing,"
"That's impossible, you foolish person."
god, he gave me a brave heart
God gave me courage
but god, he gave me a chicken head
But God also gave me timidity and self-doubt
and I felt I'd failed
I felt like a failure
I am always beginning the world
I constantly feel like I'm starting anew in life
aren't you bursting with butterflies
Don't you feel full of nerves and anticipation?
on the fourth of september?
On the specific date of September 4th?
like you'll have to get on the bus
As if you have to take the bus
in your tartan dress, with your lunch box
Wearing your plaid dress and carrying a lunchbox
though your body is twenty-nine
Despite being physically mature at age 29
though your mind is an old thing
Your mind feels weary and aged
I mean, don't you ever sigh?
Do you never let out a sigh of frustration?
always the same underdog stance
I consistently feel like an outsider or underdog
under the same happy-sad sky
Beneath the same mixed emotions of joy and sorrow in the sky
eternally crying, am I still shy?
Perpetually shedding tears, am I still timid?
I am always beginning the world
I feel like I'm always starting from the beginning
beginning the world
Repeating the process of starting fresh again and again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD CHARLES JR. PERIS, KAREN PERIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RadioFreeSpike
(Lyrics...)
I was home by the winter
I was home from the school town, undecided
and questions came, like:
"what did you say you're doing now?"
well, I, I had hopes for my music
and I imagined their faces said:
"well, you can't do that, you silly thing,"
god, he gave me a brave heart
but god, he gave me a chicken head
and I felt I'd failed
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
aren't you bursting with butterflies
on the fourth of September?
like you'll have to get on the bus
in your tartan dress, with your lunch box
though your body is twenty-nine
though your mind is an old thing
I mean, don't you ever sigh?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
always the same underdog stance
under the same happy-sad sky
eternally crying, am I still shy?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
beginning the world
J MacManus
I fell in love with my wife (now, sadly an "ex") back in 1991 in Philadelphia to the strains of this beautiful album. Autumn walks in Rittenhouse Square...coffee...clove cigarettes...shopping on South Street. We were in our mid-30's and it was the most romantic time....this perfect voice and this song take me back to then. It will always take me there...
GGKpop Curator
I can't imagine my life without The innocence mission. I discovered them when I was like 16 now I'm 27 and I still love them, specially this song makes me cry
Mrs Libertas
This whole album reminds me of my freshman year of college. My little acoustic band covered "curious".... Loved IM almost as much as the sundays.
RadioFreeSpike
(Lyrics...)
I was home by the winter
I was home from the school town, undecided
and questions came, like:
"what did you say you're doing now?"
well, I, I had hopes for my music
and I imagined their faces said:
"well, you can't do that, you silly thing,"
god, he gave me a brave heart
but god, he gave me a chicken head
and I felt I'd failed
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
aren't you bursting with butterflies
on the fourth of September?
like you'll have to get on the bus
in your tartan dress, with your lunch box
though your body is twenty-nine
though your mind is an old thing
I mean, don't you ever sigh?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
always the same underdog stance
under the same happy-sad sky
eternally crying, am I still shy?
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
I am always beginning the world
beginning the world
beginning the world
kristenburkholder1
I have always loved this song -- first heard waaaay back when I was a teenager. Now I'm almost 40, and it speaks to me now more than ever. Thanks for posting.
dj esteban
I used to fall asleep to this album when I was in the military tech school. Kept me centered. Her vocals are so unique. As rich and sweet as Natalie Merchant, Elizabeth Fraser, Abra Moore, Harriet Wheeler and LP.
Noel Riddell
A layered guitar symphony from Don and one of Karen's best vocals. Cannot listen only once.
crawdadyyt
Was lucky enough to see these guys in Atlanta around '91 when this album came out. These are such heartfelt, soul-bearing lyrics.
z00press
This song is the my favorite track and the reason why I bought the album. Bought it my last semester in college and the song was very fitting.
John Howard
This reminds me of when I was young, living in Denver. They had a great radio station that would play this all the time. Always a great feeling to hear it.