1) a three-member folk-r… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands named The Staves:
1) a three-member folk-rock band from the UK; and
2) a baroque pop band from New York City.
1) a three-member folk-rock band from the UK.
Emily, Jessica, and Camilla Staveley-Taylor have been making music together since they were children, growing up in Watford, UK, England. Brought up in a house that echoed to the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Beatles, singing in perfect 3-part harmony came naturally to these three sisters.Having started gigging in local pubs and cafes, The Staves are now captivating audiences on much bigger stages - earning rapturous encores with their exquisite songs of love & longing. Guaranteed to give you goosebumps, their extraordinary intertwining voices melt the most cynical of hearts.The Staves' Mexico EP will be released later this year via Atlantic Records.
http://www.thestaves.com/
www.myspace.com/thestavesmusic
2) a baroque pop band from NYC.
"Simple, yet intellectually challenging. Gloomy, yet beautiful. Artistically sophisticated, yet starkly presented...." (Indie-music.com)
"There are very few artists that consistently give me goosebumps. New York's Soren Anders [of The Staves] positively fits within this elite category. Over the last year, his stunning vocals and heartbreakingly beautiful melodies have won me over in a major way...." (The Music Slut Blog)
www.itunes.com/thestaves
www.facebook.com/thestaves
Black & White
The Staves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It isn't done, it isn't right
See it there before my eyes
It's a sorry song, a sorry sight
You sunk your teeth, you're in me deep
I couldn't sing, I couldn't sleep
Beat your chest with both your hands
Then all my thoughts solidify
To sudden diamonds in my mind
I lit the fuse so run and hide
So honey sweet and?????????
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
See yourself in black and white
It isn't done, it isn't right
The Staves's song "Black & White" speaks to the internal struggle of a person who is trying to break free from the constraints and expectations that have been placed on them. The lyrics "See myself in black and white, it isn't done, it isn't right" reflect the feeling of being trapped in a rigid way of thinking, where everything is either right or wrong, good or bad. The singer acknowledges the fact that this black and white thinking is limiting and unproductive, but cannot seem to break free from it.
The chorus of the song talks about how this black and white thinking is holding the singer back, making them feel trapped and unable to move forward. The line "cut the ties that keep me up at night" suggests that the singer wants to break free from the expectations and constraints that are keeping them from living their life on their own terms. The repeated line "black and white, it isn't right" reinforces this idea, driving home the point that life is more complex than simple binary thinking.
The bridge of the song introduces a sudden change in tone, with the singer asserting their agency and taking control of their life. The line "I lit the fuse so run and hide, so honey sweet" suggests that the singer is ready to shake things up and take risks to break free from the constraints of their life. In the end, the song is a call to action for anyone who feels trapped by the expectations of others: break free and live life on your own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
See myself in black and white
To see oneself in stark contrast without any nuance or complexity, which is not the right way to view oneself.
It isn't done, it isn't right
This is not how one should view or judge oneself as it is not accurate or fair.
See it there before my eyes
The image of oneself in black and white becomes clear and noticeable in one's sight.
It's a sorry song, a sorry sight
The image of oneself in black and white is a sad and regrettable thing to observe.
You sunk your teeth, you're in me deep
Someone has wronged the artist deeply and caused them harm or pain.
I couldn't sing, I couldn't sleep
The singer is unable to express themselves or find peace due to their distress.
Beat your chest with both your hands
The person who harmed the singer is taking an aggressive and forceful stance.
For all I was, for all I am, all I am
Despite who the artist was or is, they have been deeply affected by the actions of the other person.
Then all my thoughts solidify
Thoughts of the past become more concrete and clear in the present moment.
To sudden diamonds in my mind
The thoughts become valuable and precious, perhaps indicating that the artist has gained some insight or clarity.
I lit the fuse so run and hide
The singer is taking control of their situation and warning the other person to be ready for the consequences of their actions.
So honey sweet and?????????
This line is unclear and difficult to interpret.
To hold me down and bleed me dry
The other person has taken advantage of the singer and caused them great harm.
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
The singer is asking the other person to sever their relationship since it is causing them more harm than good.
Or make me see myself in black and white
The singer is warning the other person that by continuing the relationship they will be causing the singer further harm and distress.
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
The artist is attempting to cope with their situation, but it is not helping them feel any better.
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Despite their efforts to cope, the artist is still deeply affected and unable to move on or be ready for what comes next.
Like an empty chair I was always there
The singer feels like they have been invisible or unimportant in their relationship with the other person.
Contributed by Landon R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ana RamÃrez
Lyrics:
See myself in black and white
It isn't done, it isn't right
See it there before my eyes
It's a sorry song, a sorry sight
You sunk your teeth, you're in me deep
I couldn't sing, I couldn't sleep
Beat your chest with both your hands
For all I was, for all I am, all I am
Then all my thoughts solidify
To sudden diamonds in my mind
I lit the fuse so run and hide
So honey sweet and sugar kind sugar kind
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
See yourself in black and white
It isn't done, it isn't right
B G
I WOKE UP AND ALL I COULD REMEMBER WAS THE OPENING LINE OF THIS MUSIC VIDEO
IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR HOURS AND IM SO HAPPY I FINALLY FOUND IT AGAIN!
blowurbrains
Ahahha I literally just had the same experience. Taken me the whole day to find this!!!
David Bennetts
This video is a slice of absolute genius and the song is just unbelievably good. Come back to it time and again.
Ana RamÃrez
Lyrics:
See myself in black and white
It isn't done, it isn't right
See it there before my eyes
It's a sorry song, a sorry sight
You sunk your teeth, you're in me deep
I couldn't sing, I couldn't sleep
Beat your chest with both your hands
For all I was, for all I am, all I am
Then all my thoughts solidify
To sudden diamonds in my mind
I lit the fuse so run and hide
So honey sweet and sugar kind sugar kind
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Well I can bite my lips, I can chew my hair
But I'm still stone heavy and unprepared
Like an empty chair I was always there
Black and white, it isn't right
To hold me down and bleed me dry
Cut the ties that keep me up at night
Or make me see myself in black and white
See yourself in black and white
It isn't done, it isn't right
RV Mendoza
Really fantastic story telling. The structure keeps the watcher interested–well executed.  Giving me a sort of chill Kimbra vibe.
Barry Eastwood
I dont think I could ever get tired of their voices, absolutely beautiful
Y So Cerious
i listen to this again and again and it only gets better
this is a feature of quality
Bree-arne Manley Aussie MS Warrior
Great harmonies in this song! Love the film clip too!
PerichoresisLIVE
Glad to see The Staves on Noisey! Â I'd love to hear an acoustic version of this song!
David Bennetts
can't stop watching this. Brilliant.