The first incarnation of what would later become the Nields came together in 1987 in McLean, Virginia, when Nerissa Nields met David Jones, a theater student, and the two of them started a band with Nerissa's sister Katryna. David changed his last name to Nields after marrying Nerissa.
1994 proved to be a watershed year for the Nields, with the band changing from a three-piece folk group to a five-piece rock band. The new members of the band were Dave Chalfant (bass), who Katryna had met in college, and Dave Hower (drums), a friend of Dave Chalfant's. Dave Chalfant also produced the band's album released that year, Bob on the Ceiling, which was named for a friend of Katryna's. This album featured a mix of the acoustic material that the Nields had previously specialized in and a more rock-oriented sound that would become their trademark. With their new sound, the Nields received critical acclaim, and quit their day jobs to become full-time musicians.
Their 1995 EP Abigail, named for Katryna and Nerissa's sister, would be the last self-released Nields album. In 1996, they released Gotta Get Over Greta on the independent Razor & Tie record label. The album was re-released in 1997 with three bonus tracks on Guardian, a division of Elektra Records. The group felt that with a major-label deal, they were on the brink of superstardom: they had a considerable grassroots following, and a mailing list that had tens of thousands of names and was growing continuously.
Unfortunately, the group suffered a number of setbacks the next year. Guardian folded, leaving them without a record label, and their tour van (nicknamed Moby) was growing increasingly unreliable. While they needed a new van urgently, their financial situation made it impossible for them to afford one. To raise money for the van, they self-released an album called Mousse (the nickname for Dave Chalfant's sister Andromache) and held a special 'Jam for the Van' concert where they debuted that album. As a result of that concert, the Nields were able to purchase a new van, which they nicknamed Nessie. They were also able to secure a new label, Zoë, a division of Rounder Records. All Nields records released since, except one, have been released on that label. Over the next three years, the Nields released two more records (Play and If You Lived Here You'd Be Home Now), and in 1999 Katryna Nields and Dave Chalfant got married, becoming the second married couple in the band after Nerissa and David Nields.
Although the band enjoyed a moderate degree of success, they remained in the red fiscally due to the high expenses they incurred (salaries for the band members, salaries for their manager, maintaining their van, lodging, etc.). Furthermore, the group was getting older, and people wanted to settle down and start families. The limits of what could been done in a 3-minute pop song also rankled some, who wanted to explore deeper themes. The combination of these factors led to the band's breakup in 2001. Their 2001 album, released that same year, was a two-disc album titled Live From Northampton. Like their 1993 album, it was recorded at the Iron Horse Music Hall, and was self-released by the band. The band ceased in 2001.
During the mid-2000s, the band occasionally performed shows, and, from 2006, went on the release a series of albums.
Georgia O
The Nields Lyrics
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Dreaming of the day I'll make it mine
That day is coming
Ani DiFranco on the tape player
Thinking of the things I'd say to her if I could
But I just keep humming
Taking everything that you deserve
Touching all the places that are yours
And touching all the bases as you score
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
I wanna be a woman like you, yeah
Found a place to call my home
It's not much but it's my own
It's mine--but I let you in
Your pictures hang on every wall
Sort of show you standing straight and tall
While you look through him
I light a candle then I call your name
You reach me through your veil of death and fame
You reach me through your flowers and your bones
And I swear to God I swear I'm not alone
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
I wanna be a woman like you
I wanna be a woman like...
I dip my cup into your holy spring
The diva takes a breath and then she's singing
I rub my hand on your Rosetta Stone
A little flower power of my own
Yeah, a little flower power of my own
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
I wanna be a woman like you
I wanna be a woman like me
In The Nields’s song Georgia O, the singer is driving into Santa Fe, dreaming of the day when she will make it hers. She is listening to Ani DiFranco on the tape player and thinking of things she would say to her if she could, but instead she just keeps humming. In the chorus, she expresses her admiration for Georgia O’Keeffe and sings, “Girl, you've got some nerve/Taking everything that you deserve/Touching all the places that are yours/And touching all the bases as you score.” She desires to be like Georgia O’Keeffe, a woman who pursued her desires and was unapologetic in taking what was hers.
The singer finds a place to call home, though it's not much. The walls of her home are covered in Georgia O’Keeffe's art, which makes her feel surrounded and comforted, but also like Georgia is looking through the singer at something beyond her. The singer lights a candle and calls out Georgia's name in the hopes that she will reach her beyond the veil of death and fame. She feels a connection to her through her flowers and bones and swears she is not alone. She dips her cup into Georgia’s holy spring and feels the power of her femininity. Eventually, she realizes that she wants to be a woman like herself, taking inspiration from the iconic artist but ultimately embracing her own journey and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving into Santa Fe
I am travelling to Santa Fe.
Dreaming of the day I'll make it mine
I am hoping that I will someday have a strong sense of belonging and ownership in Santa Fe.
That day is coming
I have confidence that I will eventually feel a strong sense of ownership in Santa Fe.
Ani DiFranco on the tape player
I am listening to Ani DiFranco's music on the radio.
Thinking of the things I'd say to her if I could
I am imagining what I would say if I had the opportunity to speak with Ani DiFranco.
But I just keep humming
Instead of speaking, I end up humming the music that is playing.
Girl you've got some nerve
I admire your courage and confidence.
Taking everything that you deserve
You have claimed everything that is rightfully yours.
Touching all the places that are yours
You have experienced all of life's joys and sorrows that are inherently a part of your existence.
And touching all the bases as you score
You have accomplished so much in your life and have achieved great success.
Oh, Georgia O, Georgia O
I am addressing the artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
I wanna be a woman like you, yeah
I aspire to be confident, brave, and successful like you.
Found a place to call my home
I have found a place where I feel at home and am comfortable.
It's not much but it's my own
Although it may not be grand or impressive, it is mine and I am content with it.
It's mine--but I let you in
Although this space is my own, I have chosen to incorporate aspects of Georgia O'Keeffe and her art into my life and my living space.
Your pictures hang on every wall
I have hung many of your paintings on the walls of my home.
Sort of show you standing straight and tall
Your paintings depict you as strong and confident.
While you look through him
Despite the strength and confidence depicted in your paintings, you have had to navigate relationships that were not always healthy or positive.
I light a candle then I call your name
I have set up a shrine to honor you and your art, and I often pray to or invoke your spirit.
You reach me through your veil of death and fame
Through your art, life, and legacy, I feel a strong connection to you despite the fact that you have passed away and achieved great fame.
You reach me through your flowers and your bones
Your art, which often incorporates natural elements like flowers and bones, speaks to me and touches my soul deeply.
And I swear to God I swear I'm not alone
Although I may sometimes feel isolated or lonely, my connection to you and your art brings me comfort and a sense of companionship.
I dip my cup into your holy spring
I draw on the inspiration and insight that I find in your artwork.
The diva takes a breath and then she's singing
Through your art, you have created something beautiful and powerful that inspires others to create and to express themselves.
I rub my hand on your Rosetta Stone
I have a deep appreciation for the work you did in deciphering the hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone, which provided us with valuable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization.
A little flower power of my own
In my own way, I am attempting to tap into the same energy and creativity that you summoned forth so expertly in your own artwork.
I wanna be a woman like you
I aspire to be strong, confident, and creative like you were in your life and in your art.
I wanna be a woman like me
Ultimately, I want to be my own person and create my own unique works of art, but still draw on the inspiration and energy that I find in the art and life of Georgia O'Keeffe.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind