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.
Happy Birthday
The Innocence Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We will not go under any cloud.
Let balloons go up in town,
ring out every bell.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
all the birds of this day
sing a song, sing a song.
through the state parks with the cherry flowers.
When you wake up it will be
the beginning of the world.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the fields of this day
hear a song, hear a song.
Oh, undeserved sweetness and light,
stay by my side.
We will go out in the morning now,
a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers
circling your sweet head.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the streets of this day
play a song, play a song.
The Innocence Mission's song "Happy Birthday" is a beautiful and poetic tribute to someone special on their birthday. The lyrics speak of the promise of a new day, free of any clouds or darkness, with sunshine and balloons floating up into the sky. This is a day of celebration and joy, and the birds are singing a special song to commemorate it. The dreamlike imagery continues with the idea of trains carrying the listener through state parks filled with cherry blossoms, a serene and idyllic scene.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Happy birthday, beautiful," emphasizing the beauty and worth of the person being celebrated. The sweet and innocent tone of the song is underscored by the line "undeserved sweetness and light," suggesting that this person is a gift to others simply by existing. The final stanza speaks of going out into the world with a crown of maple leaves and flowers, a symbol of honor and dignity, and playing a song in the streets, celebrating the joy and magic of this special day.
Overall, "Happy Birthday" is a lovely reminder of the goodness and beauty in the world, and a tribute to the people who bring light and love to our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When you wake up sun will shine.
The start of a new day presents new opportunities and positivity.
We will not go under any cloud.
We will not allow any negative influences or obstacles to bring us down.
Let balloons go up in town,
Celebrate and make the occasion special with festivities and decorations.
ring out every bell.
Let everyone know that today is special and worth rejoicing.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
A simple and direct expression of well wishes for the individual celebrating their birthday.
all the birds of this day sing a song, sing a song.
Nature itself seems to be rejoicing on this special day and adding to the positive atmosphere.
Dream of trains carrying you through the state parks with the cherry flowers.
Encouragement to daydream and imagine a beautiful journey filled with natural beauty and wonder.
When you wake up it will be the beginning of the world.
Every new day, and especially this special one, should be seen as a fresh start and a chance to begin anew.
in the fields of this day hear a song, hear a song.
Nature seems to be alive with music and happiness, increasing the birthday individual's sense of joy and wellbeing.
Oh, undeserved sweetness and light, stay by my side.
A reflection on the beauty and goodness of the world, and the desire to experience that positivity as closely as possible.
We will go out in the morning now, a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers circling your sweet head.
A promise to take joy in natural beauty and to surround oneself with positive and aesthetically pleasing things.
in the streets of this day play a song, play a song.
Encouragement to make the most of the day, and to add to the already positive atmosphere with music and celebration.
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Faqih Al Azizi
when you wake up sun will shine.
we will not go under any cloud.
let balloons go up in town,
ring out every bell.
happy birthday, beautiful,
all the birds of this day
sing a song, sing a song.
dream of trains carrying you
through the state parks with the cherry flowers.
when you wake up it will be
the beginning of the world.
happy birthday, beautiful,
in the fields of this day
hear a song, hear a song.
oh, undeserved sweetness and light,
stay by my side.
we will go out in the morning now,
a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers
circling your sweet head.
happy birthday, beautiful,
in the streets of this day
play a song, play a song.
Rmhtrs -
My elementary school friend, send this song 7 years ago on my bday. We're having up and down relationship since then. We're married now😊
Nodar Ctulhu
💘
olivia heinrich
I listened to this often while pregnant with my daughter Esmeralda. It sounds like a song about a new baby. It is sweet and reminds me of everything I have done with my daughters.; riding through the park on the train with the cherry blossoms all around, placing crowns of flowers on their heads; when you wake up it will be the beginning of the world <3 new eyes <3
Rhonda sue
Thank you Caitlin....for sending me this lovely song on my 54th birthday. My daughter is on the other side of the world and she sent this lovely song to show her love. What a lucky mother I am and I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again soon.
Tuireann Herriott
It's my birthday today and i'm extremely appreciative of this song. Made me smile -> :)
Bryce Tyson
Today is my birthday and a friend sent me this song. Wow, I love it. Magical.
Daniel DiCato
it sounds like she sang this whole song with a huge smile
sirrvs
A dear old friend of mine sent me this song on my birthday. One of the best presents I've ever received. :)
lynetta manning
Awww one of my dear friends sent this to me! It's such a beautiful song!❤
Benita Rose-Monteiro
This song makes my heart sing.