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.
One Hundred Names
The Nields Lyrics
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In fact, I knew you long before
A hundred years or so of you
And all I want from you is more
Sometimes I don't know who you are
Sometimes I don't know why you stay
All I know is when I called, you came
I have known you by one hundred names.
You're the sunshine on my floor
You're the book I've halfway read
You're the smile a stranger gave
You're the blessing someone said
You're my favorite cowboy song
Echoed aching at sunset
Sung together round a fire on the Plains
I have known you by one hundred names
They say I lean on you too much
They say I'll never stand alone
But how can they know what it's like
To live with you inside our home
You make me grateful for the grey
You make me grateful for the blue
Every morning you love me just the same
I have known you by one hundred names
I have known you by one hundred names.
The Nields's song One Hundred Names is a beautiful tribute to someone special who has been in the singer's life for a very long time. The lyrics suggest that the singer has known this person for at least a hundred years and has known them by many different names throughout. The song is a celebration of this person's presence in the singer's life and all the different ways in which they have made a positive impact.
The lyrics are full of imagery that evokes the different aspects of this person's character and the different ways in which they have influenced the singer's life. There are references to sunshine and books, to strangers' smiles and blessings, and to the beauty of a cowboy song echoing across a sunset-lit plain. Throughout these different images, the singer conveys a sense of deep gratitude and affection for this person and all that they represent.
At the heart of the song is a sense of intimacy and connection that is both personal and universal. The lyrics highlight the power of long-term friendships and the ways in which they shape our lives and our sense of identity. The song is a powerful reminder that even when we feel lost or alone, we can always find comfort in the people who have known us for one hundred names.
Line by Line Meaning
I have known you all my life,
I have been familiar with you for as long as I can remember.
In fact, I knew you long before
In reality, I have had knowledge of you prior to my actual existence.
A hundred years or so of you
I have known you for such an extended period, equivalent to a century or more.
And all I want from you is more
Despite the long duration of our connection, I still yearn for more of you.
Sometimes I don't know who you are
Occasionally, I am uncertain about your true identity.
Sometimes I don't know why you stay
At times, I am unclear about the reason for your presence in my life.
All I know is when I called, you came
As far as I'm aware, whenever I've called out to you, you've answered my call.
I have known you by one hundred names.
Over the years, you have been referred to by a multitude of names that I have come to recognize.
You're the sunshine on my floor
You bring brightness and light into my life, like the sun shining on my floor.
You're the book I've halfway read
Like an unfinished book, I am eager to continue exploring what you have to offer.
You're the smile a stranger gave
Just like a friendly smile from a stranger, your presence in my life brings joy and positivity.
You're the blessing someone said
Like a heartfelt blessing from someone, your influence in my life has been a source of comfort and inspiration.
You're my favorite cowboy song
You are like my favorite country tune, one that resonates with me on a personal level.
Echoed aching at sunset
Your impact is long-lasting, like an aching echo that lingers even after the sun has set.
Sung together round a fire on the Plains
Like a song sung around a fire on the open Plains, our connection is intimate and deeply meaningful.
They say I lean on you too much
Others have expressed concern that I rely on you excessively.
They say I'll never stand alone
Some have suggested that I will never be independent while you are in my life.
But how can they know what it's like
However, they cannot truly comprehend the depth of our relationship and how important you are to me.
To live with you inside our home
Living with you, intertwined in our home, has become an integral part of my life.
You make me grateful for the grey
Even during the difficult times, you help me find reasons to be grateful and appreciative.
You make me grateful for the blue
Similarly, you bring joy and thankfulness into my life during the good moments.
Every morning you love me just the same
Every day, you show me love and affection, no matter what has happened before.
I have known you by one hundred names
Throughout our long history together, you have been referred to in many ways that are all deeply familiar to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NERISSA NIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind