In 2006, The Weepies big label debut Say I Am You came out on Nettwerk Records. After an initial hard-scrabble tour in their compact car as a duo, Deb Talan & Steve Tannen’s music appeared in more than a dozen TV shows, as well as several major motion pictures.
Their iTunes sales topped the folk charts in eight countries. Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol nominated them for a Short List Music Prize, and Mandy Moore asked them to write with her and sing on her album. They were invited to open for the Indigo Girls and invited onto the Hotel Café Tour; they played the Oxegen Festival in Ireland, the Hurricane Festival in Germany, and T in the Park in Scotland. Their MySpace player hit 2 million plays. JCPenney and Old Navy used their tunes as the theme songs for their major holiday TV campaigns.
When The Weepies returned home in 2007, they were exhausted.
“2006 was amazing. Coming off the road in 2007 should have been this blissed-out time with so much to celebrate, but it was totally depressing. Our rented shack in the California hills was cold, it had a leaky roof and there were mice living in it. Our electric guitar had been destroyed on the last plane flight of the year. We hadn’t seen most of our close friends in months.”
“We were empty,” says Talan. “We both felt dark after being in the bright lights for a year. We were looking to reconnect with what moved us about music in the first place. We needed to hide out and write.”
Hideaway was the result of their year-long struggle to get tapped in again, released in 2008. Another homemade gem, Hideaway is a darker companion to their first album, with 14 new tunes ranging from the upbeat title track to the jangly rock of Not Dead Yet to gorgeously arranged meditations like How You Survived the War and Little Bird.
As with most of The Weepies’ music, there is a happy ending to all the struggle: Deb and Steve were married in 2007, and they had a baby boy, Theo, in October.
The Weepies sound on Hideaway remains rooted in their unique writing and unusual harmonies. Their distinctive production was filled out again by bass player and guitarist Whynot Jansveld, guitarist Meghan Toohey and drummer Frank Lenz. Additional musicians on this album include string player Oliver Kraus, keyboardist John Deley, guitarist Steve Walsh, and horn player/keyboardist Brad Gordon.
The Weepies' fourth full-length album, Be My Thrill, was released in August 2010.
Little Bird
The Weepies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even one thing true
When all eyes have turned aside
They used to talk to you
And people on the streets seem to disapprove
So you keep moving away
And forget what you wanted to say
Little bird
Brush your gray wings on my head
Say what you said
Say it again
They tell me I'm crazy
But you told me
I'm golden
Sometimes it's hard to tell the truth from the lies
Nobody knows what's in the hold of your minds
We are all building and people inside
Never know who walks through the door
Is it someone that you've met before
Little bird
Little Bird
Brush your gray wings on my head
Say what you said
Say it again
They tell me I'm crazy
But you told me
I'm golden
Little bird
I know what I know
A wind in the trees and a road
That goes winding 'onder
From hear I see rain I hear thunder
Somewhere there's sun
And you don't need a reason
Sometimes it's hard to find a way to keep on
Quiet weekends, holidays
You come undone
Open your window and look upon
All the kinds of alive you can be
Be still, be light, believe me
Little bird
Little Bird
Brush your gray wings on my head
Say what you said
Say it again
They tell me I'm crazy
But you told me
I'm golden
I'm golden
The song "Little Bird" by The Weepies is a beautiful and uplifting track that explores themes of self-doubt, confusion, and the search for meaning and inspiration in life. The lyrics are primarily focused on the singer's struggle to find truth and direction in a world that seems to constantly shift and change beneath their feet. The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Little bird, little bird, brush your gray wings on my head, say what you said, say it again," is a powerful symbol of hope and guidance, suggesting that even when the darkness of doubt threatens to overwhelm us, there is still a glimmer of light and inspiration to be found if we are willing to seek it out.
The verses of the song are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language that help to bring the song's themes to life. The singer describes the feeling of being ostracized or ignored by others ("all eyes have turned aside"), and the pain and confusion that can come with feeling isolated and alone. They also express a sense of frustration and confusion about the nature of truth and reality, noting that "sometimes it's hard to tell the truth from the lies" and that "nobody knows what's in the hold of your minds." Throughout the song, though, there is a deep sense of hope and resilience that shines through, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, we can find the strength and courage to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it's hard to say
Admitting the truth is difficult
Even one thing true
Being honest is not easy
When all eyes have turned aside
Everyone has stopped paying attention
They used to talk to you
People used to engage with you
And people on the streets seem to disapprove
Strangers are not accepting
So you keep moving away
You isolate yourself
And forget what you wanted to say
You lose your train of thought
Little bird
A bird is a symbol of hope and freedom
Brush your gray wings on my head
Comfort me with your presence
Say what you said
Remind me of your encouraging words
Say it again
Repeat your words of hope
They tell me I'm crazy
Others think I am delusional
But you told me
But the bird reminds me
I'm golden
I am valued and special
Sometimes it's hard to tell the truth from the lies
Distinguishing fact from fiction is challenging
Nobody knows what's in the hold of your minds
Only you know your true thoughts and feelings
We are all building and people inside
Each person is a complex creation
Never know who walks through the door
We cannot predict who we will encounter
Is it someone that you've met before
Could it be somebody familiar?
I know what I know
I am certain of my beliefs
A wind in the trees and a road
Nature has calming influence
That goes winding 'onder
Paths are never straight forward
From hear I see rain I hear thunder
Despite difficulties, hope persists
Somewhere there's sun
Hopeful that a brighter future exists
And you don't need a reason
Belief in a brighter future is justification enough
Sometimes it's hard to find a way to keep on
Finding motivation can be challenging
Quiet weekends, holidays
Leisure time doesn't always bring rest
You come undone
You feel unravelled
Open your window and look upon
Change your perspective
All the kinds of alive you can be
Consider ways to grow and flourish
Be still, be light, believe me
Find peace, joy and have faith
I'm golden
I am valued and special
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cara Mason
Beautiful tune and hauntingly beautiful voice 😊🎶❤️🎶🌈🎶😊❤️🎶🌈. Love the weepies
Art By AngieB.
Beautiful song can listen to it over and over again
keyosuke
Glen Phillips and his daughter covered this a few hours ago in Annapolis, M.D., and that lead me back here. Great song. This original version has better instrumentation than what I heard, live, but Glen and daughter brought hamony up a notch. It's nice that this has 58,000 views but it should have 58,000,000 comments, too.
Safety, ALWAYS Off🔫
This band is severely underrated that it's a crying shame🥺
Foodii Buddii
I love this song!
Maja Batka
Love it so much!
B
gorgeous song <3
joetavish
this is incredible
Aleaya Worlie
I think they mean that it's so great it deserves 5 million views
hophiptoin
Very chill :DD Awesome job