<… Read Full Bio ↴The Long Winters is an American indie rock band based in Seattle, USA.
Singer-songwriter John Roderick was born in Seattle, Washington, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, during his elementary school years. He later returned to Seattle and formed both Bun Family Players and The Western State Hurricanes. Following the collapse of the latter, he acted as touring keyboardist for Harvey Danger.
In 2001, Harvey Danger singer/songwriter Sean Nelson suggested that he and Roderick record an album, with half of the songs penned by John and the other half by Sean. Death Cab for Cutie band member Chris Walla had recently opened the Hall of Justice studio in Seattle and agreed to help them record.
John recruited Joe Bass of Sky Cries Mary and Brian Young of Fountains of Wayne to flesh out several of the songs, and the album gradually evolved to feature only John's songs. After several months, The Worst You Can Do Is Harm was finished.
John traveled to New York, where he played solo shows and quickly began to write new songs, several of which would be included on the Long Winters's second album, When I Pretend to Fall.
While in New York, John was contacted by Barsuk Records — the label that would release The Worst You Can Do Is Harm — who made it clear that they wanted John to promote the release by touring. He returned to Seattle, where he was joined by Chris Caniglia, former Western States Hurricanes drummer Michael Shilling, and Eric Corson on bass. Thus, The Long Winters were born.
Sean Nelson offered to sing harmony vocals on a number of songs at the band's first live gig. He ended up casually performing with the band for their first few shows before committing to full-time enrollment.
The original trio responsible for The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (John Roderick, Sean Nelson, and Chris Walla) is often considered the original incarnation of the band. John and Sean, along with recruits Eric Corson and Michael Shilling (the drummer in Roderick's previous band, the Western State Hurricanes) are the core players behind When I Pretend to Fall, with Sean having replaced Chris Caniglia as the band's keyboardist. When I Pretend to Fall was released and John, Sean, Eric and Michael embarked on an ambitious series of tours throughout 2003 in support of the album. The band toured North America with Barsuk Records labelmates Nada Surf and Death Cab for Cutie, and later spent November touring Europe. Michael Shilling eventually quit in December of 2003, burned out by the hectic touring and lifestyle of the band.
With the best wishes of the Long Winters, Sean left in March 2004 to rekindle his former band.
At the time of Sean's departure, the Long Winters had begun rehearsing with Michael Shilling's replacement for the band's 2004 tours, former Death Cab for Cutie percussionist Michael Schorr. Confronted with a double blow to the band's line-up, John took the opportunity to reinvent the band — especially with an East Coast tour supporting The Pernice Brothers, a more fleshed out European tour, and a nationwide tour supporting the Decemberists that would take the band through the spring and well into the summer. Thus, the leaner three-piece version of The Long Winters was born, featuring John Roderick, Eric Corson, and Michael Schorr.
This extensive spring/summer 2004 tour took its toll on drummer Michael Schorr, who left the band shortly after its completion. John continued to do small promotional events and shows throughout the latter half of 2004 and 2005, often previewing a handful of new Long Winters songs.
The latest incarnation of the Long Winters features John Roderick on vocals, guitars, and keyboard, Eric Corson on bass and back-up vocals, and Nabil Ayers on drums. The Long Winters toured with Keane in October 2005 in support of an EP released on October 11th, 2005, titled Ultimatum. John Roderick did a solo mini tour through Europe in May 2006 to promote awareness for the third full-length LP, Putting the Days to Bed, which was released on 25 July 2006. In the fall of 2006 the band, now with guitarist/keyboard player Jonathan Rothman replacing Michael Squires, toured the USA, after which they joined Keane once again for a European tour. Listed among the hardest touring bands in music, the Long Winters begin 2007 with yet another European tour, followed by a month of shows in the USA and Canada.
Honest
The Long Winters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when she talks about his band it just confirms her mother's fears
A little crush on the singer but in her heart she knows it's true
Everything is different when he's singing right to you
Her mother says honest, it's alright to be a singer
But don't you love a singer whatever you do
And let the lights wash out their eyes
Sixteen years ago I was completely mesmerized
And then the night was done and the singer disappeared behind the stage
And the roadies came and picked me out from on the barricade
Honest, it's alright to be a singer
But don't you love a singer whatever you do, whatever you do
I wouldn't change for a moment my life or my ideals
But once I loved a singer and I know just how you feel
For him to say so plainly what your heart can vouch is true
Means something is connecting you, something is connecting you
Honest, it's alright to be a singer
But don't you love a singer whatever you do, whatever you do
Don't you love a singer
Don't you love a singer
The Long Winters' "Honest" is a song about unrequited love for a singer in a band. The lyrics convey the singer's admiration for the singer, who brings her close to tears with every song. However, the singer's mother disapproves of her daughter's infatuation and warns her against loving a singer. The chorus repeats the conflicting messages, with the phrase "honest, it's alright to be a singer" contrasting with "but don't you love a singer whatever you do."
The second verse describes the power of a live performance, with the crowd pressing onto the stage and the lights washing out their eyes. The singer recalls a moment from sixteen years ago when she was mesmerized by a singer, but then the show ended and the roadies had to pull her from the barricade. The bridge emphasizes that the feelings a singer expresses in their songs can create a deep connection with the listener, even if they've never met. The chorus repeats again, with the last line asking a direct question: "don't you love a singer?"
The song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale, warning against getting too invested in a celebrity crush. The singer's mother worries that her daughter will be hurt if she loves a singer, and the singer herself acknowledges that her once-love for a singer has not changed her life or ideals. However, the song also acknowledges the power of a performer's connection with their audience, suggesting that the singer's message has some truth that resonates with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
She loves the singer, every song can bring her close to tears
She has an intense emotional connection with the singer and every song of his has the ability to make her cry.
But when she talks about his band it just confirms her mother's fears
Her mother is apprehensive about her daughter being involved with the band and her daughter's fascination with it only reinforces her concerns.
A little crush on the singer but in her heart she knows it's true
Though it may seem like mere infatuation, deep down she knows her feelings for the singer are real.
Everything is different when he's singing right to you
Hearing the singer in person, for her, is a transformative experience that changes everything.
Her mother says honest, it's alright to be a singer
Although her mother may be apprehensive, she recognizes that it's okay to pursue a career in music.
But don't you love a singer whatever you do
However, she warns her daughter not to get too attached to a particular singer.
Let the crowd press on the stage
Let the fans get as close to the singer as they can.
And let the lights wash out their eyes
The bright lights of the stage have the power to dazzle the audience and overwhelm their senses.
Sixteen years ago I was completely mesmerized
The singer had a profound impact on the songwriter when they were younger.
And then the night was done and the singer disappeared behind the stage
After the concert, the singer was no longer visible and unattainable again.
And the roadies came and picked me out from on the barricade
The concert security had to remove the songwriter from the stage area.
I wouldn't change for a moment my life or my ideals
The songwriter is content with their current life and values.
But once I loved a singer and I know just how you feel
But they have also experienced love for a singer and can relate to the listener's feelings.
For him to say so plainly what your heart can vouch is true
When the singer sings about things the listener feels deeply, it's as if he's speaking directly to their heart.
Means something is connecting you, something is connecting you
This connection between singer and listener is real and meaningful.
Don't you love a singer
The chorus repeats the mother's warning to not get too attached to a particular singer.
Whatever you do, whatever you do
No matter what, the mother emphasizes that the daughter should be cautious when it comes to loving a singer.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Roderick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Monnin
Beautiful song.
Lola E
I wonder about the story behind this song.
Pz4 Pz
Chris Walla on keyboard and guitar