The Wrens are known for their explosive stage presence, despite each member being well past 35, and are steadily gaining a fanbase across the world. Their debut album, "Silver", was released in 1994 to a moderate degree of critical acclaim. However, it was their second LP, "Secaucus" (named in reference to the town in New Jersey where they resided), that established them as one of the top bands on the indie rock scene. Both of these albums were released on the now defunct Grass Records label.
After the release of "Secaucus", Grass Records came under new ownership, who decided to make The Wrens the flagship band of the label. After the band turned down a million-dollar contract stipulating that the band record more "radio friendly" songs, The Wrens were dropped by Grass Records. "Silver" and "Secaucus" were only recently reissued in 2006 after years out of circulation because of this.
Hindered by their label issues through much of the 1990s, the Wrens managed only to release one EP, "Abbott 1135", in 1997 under the label Ten23 Records. The band's third full-length album, "The Meadowlands", finally surfaced in late 2003 (seven years after the release of "Secaucus") under Absolutely Kosher Records to enormous critical acclaim, topping critics' polls for the following two years and suddenly jump-starting an otherwise plateauing career.
The Wrens are currently being filmed for a documentary by the production company Little Quill, and are working on another LP and a re-recording of Abbott 1135.
There are other artists with the same name:
2) The Wrens were a doo-wop and R&B band from the Morrisania section of the Bronx in New York City. They are best-known for their song "Come Back My Love."
The Wrens first started singing together in 1954 and were comprised of lead singer Bobby Mansfield, George Magnezid (tenor), Francis "Frenchie" Concepcion (tenor), and James "Archie" Archer (bass). They admired the artists such as the Clovers, the Ravens, the Orioles, the Mills Brothers, Nat King Cole and Louis Jordan.
The Wrens were known best for their smooth, elegant harmony singing, and had a somewhat harder R&B edge than many similar groups at the time. Unfortunately, only six singles were offically released before Bobby Mansfield left the group in 1956 for a solo career. The Wrens were inducted into the United Group Harmony Association's Hall of Fame in 1998.
3) The Wrens are also a french indie folk band.
4.) The Wrens are also a family of birds, which may be scrobbled by those listening to recordings of bird songs.
Dakota
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
check the directions
you can finger us here and I'm sure we'd be there
sweat the directions
it always happens
into the gray skies
has the Twins been found with rats all around
getting sick in the basement
sorry meet your replacement
I'm only kidding Jerry
it always seems I'm late I had to do some errands
I'll be there in just a bit don't wait up for me
they're at it again just listen to them
running straight to mother
I got to get it done
we're handing it in on the second (it will never happen)
The lyrics to The Wrens' song Dakota discuss feeling lost and directionless in life, comparing the feeling to being off the track and in need of directions. The singer expresses a sense of frustration and urgency with lines like "sweat the directions" and "I'm only kidding Jerry, I'm sorry meet your replacement" suggesting that they are under pressure to get things done quickly and correctly. The reference to "the Twins" potentially being found with rats all around adds to this sense of chaos and confusion, as does the line "they're at it again just listen to them running straight to mother". Despite these challenges, the singer is determined to push through and get things done, stating "I got to get it done, we're handing it in on the second (it will never happen)".
Overall, the lyrics to Dakota are about feeling lost and overwhelmed in life while trying to stay focused and driven. The sense of urgency and pressure is palpable throughout the song, as the singer navigates various challenges and obstacles. The reference to rats in the basement and running to mother suggest a sense of chaos and instability, while the repetition of "it always happens" adds to the feeling of being stuck in a repetitive cycle. Ultimately, however, the singer remains determined to push through and get things done despite the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
the Dakota is down and lost off the track
We seem to have lost our way and we're not sure where we're headed
check the directions
We need to figure out where we're going and get back on track
you can finger us here and I'm sure we'd be there
If you point us in the right direction, we'll follow it and get where we need to go
sweat the directions
We need to pay close attention to the directions we're given so we don't get lost again
it always happens
We're used to getting lost and having setbacks
into the gray skies
We're feeling down and uncertain about our future
has the Twins been found with rats all around
We're wondering if our friends have fallen on hard times, perhaps even struggling with pests in their living spaces
getting sick in the basement
If there are rats around, it's possible our friends could contract an illness from exposure to them
got me there and lost with sweat pouring down
We're feeling disoriented and anxious due to our lack of direction and the effort we're putting in to find our way
sorry meet your replacement
We're joking around with our friend Jerry, but in reality we feel like we're replaceable and perhaps not quite measuring up
I'm only kidding Jerry
We're trying to lighten the mood and make light of our own struggles
it always seems I'm late I had to do some errands
We feel like we're always behind and struggling to keep up with our responsibilities
I'll be there in just a bit don't wait up for me
We're reassuring someone that we'll arrive soon, but we don't want them to stay up late waiting for us
they're at it again just listen to them
There's some arguing or conflict happening around us, and we feel like it's distracting us from our goals
running straight to mother
When people are bickering or fighting, it can be tempting to go to a trusted authority figure for guidance and support
I got to get it done
We're focused on our task and determined to complete it successfully
we're handing it in on the second (it will never happen)
We're setting a goal for ourselves, but we may not believe that we can actually achieve it
Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.