The Reindeer Section arose - according to Lightbody - out of a chance get-together of musicians at a Lou Barlow gig in Glasgow in 2001, at which Lightbody drunkenly laid down the challenge to others to "make an album together", to which everyone said "yeah yeah". Lightbody "went home and next day wrote the album" and later convinced Johnny Davies of Bright Star Recordings to fund a recording session and release the proposed album. The group met over three days of rehearsal and ten days of recording to produce the first album. The album, Y'All Get Scared Now, Ya Hear! was released with a mini tour, the first venue of which was Belfast's The Limelight venue.
A second album, Son of evil reindeer was released ten months after the critical acclaim of the first, with a slightly different line-up. The single, You Are My Joy appeared on US show, Grey's Anatomy, and on fourth season of US TV series Queer as Folk. The song Cartwheels appeared on "The Second Chance", an episode of The O.C.. The band's most recent gig was on 14 December 2002 at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow. The project has never officially split up, but from that time it has been considered in a hiatus.
Artists who contributed to the project so far are:
From Alfie: Ben Dumville, Lee Gorton and Sam Morris
From Arab Strap: Colin Macpherson, Malcolm Middleton and Aidan Moffat
From Astrid: William Campbell, Charlie Clarke, Neil Payne and Gareth Russell
From Belle & Sebastian: Richard Colburn, Mick Cooke and Bob Kildea
From Cadet: Iain Archer
From Eva: Jenny Reeve and Sarah Roberts
From Idlewild: Roddy Woomble
From Mogwai: John Cummings
From Mull Historical Society: Colin MacIntyre
From Snow Patrol: Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn
From Teenage Fanclub: Norman Blake
From The Vaselines: Eugene Kelly
and Michael Bannister, Roy Kerr, Paul Fox, Marcus Mackay, Gill Mills and Stacie Sievewright.
You Are My Joy
The Reindeer Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I will leave you out of my mind
For now
I won't be there to break your sweet heart
But not being there might break your sweet heart
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
If I could cradle you into my arms
I would cradle you tight in my arms
Always
So don't be scared of all the hurtful words
Cause in the end, they'll hurt themselves much more
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
You are my joy
The Reindeer Section's song "You Are My Joy" starts with the lyrical line "I won't leave you out of my will, but I will leave you out of my mind. For now," which can be interpreted as the singer's declaration that they have not completely forgotten about their loved one, but they are trying to distance themselves from them. The singer acknowledges that not being present in the loved one's life could hurt them deeply, but they still choose to stay away.
The chorus of the song repeatedly proclaims "You are my joy," emphasizing the deep love that the singer feels for the person they are singing about. The second verse contains a wish to "cradle" the loved one in their arms and protect them from any hurtful words that may come their way. The final verse reminds the loved one that they are cherished, despite any negative actions or words that may be directed towards them.
Overall, the song speaks to the complex emotions that can arise when a love relationship ends or becomes strained. The singer acknowledges the conflicting desires to protect their loved one from pain and to distance themselves from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't leave you out of my will
I won't forget about you when it comes to my possessions after I pass away
But I will leave you out of my mind
I won't be thinking about you during my life
For now
Currently, this is how I feel
I won't be there to break your sweet heart
I won't intentionally hurt you emotionally
But not being there might break your sweet heart
My absence may cause you emotional pain
You are my joy
You bring me happiness and delight
If I could cradle you into my arms
If possible, I would hold you close
I would cradle you tight in my arms
I would hold you closely and securely
Always
Permanently, forever
So don't be scared of all the hurtful words
Don't fear the negative things people say
Cause in the end, they'll hurt themselves much more
Their hurtful words will ultimately cause harm to themselves
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD COLBURN, MICHAEL COOKE, GARY LIGHTBODY, CHARLIE CLARKE, GARETH RUSSELL, JENNY REEVE, IAIN ARCHER, JONNY QUINN, BEN DUMVILLE, STACIE SEIVERWRIGHT, COLIN MCPHERSON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, NEIL DOUGLAS PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Princeton NJ
Sang this with my daughter as she grew up. It's still true.
FastMotionTV
One of my first songs I downloaded in my youth. Loved it and still great, memories in my mind...
ABSK2489
Soooooo many people have missed this. Its a magic that few find. Enjoy!
Sarah McRae
Saw a rare, white reindeer in my grandparents' yard (approximately the year this tune was released). I know it's unrelated, but the exuberance of the song plus the band name makes me relive the drive, the delight of my discovery and the weekend's experience with my Oma and Grandad.
lori R
man, this song is so beautiful. it reminds me of family tbh. it makes me emotional, but I love it!
Daniel Clutton
Love this song
Motivator Abbs
So in love with this song
Kenneth Mcgeough
So am I it's beautiful
Robert Degraw
I love it!
Rod McMullan
This song is how I feel for my family