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.
Darlin' Darlin'
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where am I going to get some sleep this time
Light a candle, light a cigarette
I bet the world is on fire
I don't know… I know it's much too late
I've been here seven hundred times
And I' m well aware that I'm not likely to regret leaving them behind like this
They came from underneath my bed
I said the knot was way too tight
Take the chair my spine can't wail all night
Pin my eyes I'm going to get some sleep
My faith has been retired
Clean my suit I have to look just right
I've got one nail left in me yet
It's sketchy stop screaming
I think I am dying, collapsing, kids barking "you're so jealous"
Will the girls still like me nine days from now
They will paint my face and fix my hair like LEE
God how I'm the envy of them all
Blame Seattle, blame the fake toupee
It's all about to tremble so change direction
I'm headed out to see this time
The opening lines of The Wrens's Darlin' Darlin' leave the audience wondering where the singer can find peace from their inner turmoil. The repetition of the line, "Where am I going to get some sleep?" emphasizes how lost and desperate the singer feels. They light a candle and cigarette, but quickly imagine the world around them burning. It's clear that the singer is struggling with something larger than their immediate surroundings. They have been to this dark, hopeless place many times before, and are not afraid to leave everything behind.
The following lines describe a surreal scene where the singer is visited by beings from underneath their bed, who insist they go with them. The singer is resigned to the idea and asks only that they loosen the knot on a chair they are using for transport. The chorus then repeats the mantra of sleep as a means of escape: "Pin my eyes, I'm going to get some sleep / My faith has been retired". Once the singer reaches their destination, they seem concerned with their physical appearance and preserving some sense of identity. They wonder if people will still like them in the future, and evoke stylistic icons like LEE. The final lines suggest the singer is embarking on a journey but are not sure where it will lead them.
Overall, the lyrics of Darlin' Darlin' convey a sense of unease and unhappiness that permeates the singer's life. They are seeking escape, but it's not clear where they hope to find it. The surreal elements of the song add to the sense of disorientation and confusion, leaving the listener feeling as lost as the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Where am I going to get some sleep
I'm lost and tired and have nowhere to rest
Where am I going to get some sleep this time
I've been in this situation before and it's never easy
Light a candle, light a cigarette
I need some comfort, anything to calm me down
I bet the world is on fire
Everything seems chaotic and out of control
I don't know… I know it's much too late
I'm unsure of my situation, but I know it's past the point of fixing
I've been here seven hundred times
I've been in situations like this countless times before
And I' m well aware that I'm not likely to regret leaving them behind like this
I know I'm making a big decision, but I won't second-guess myself
They came from underneath my bed
My fears and anxieties are creeping up on me
They stood around me and said "lay back we're going for a ride"
My fears are taking control and I'm helpless to stop them
I said the knot was way too tight
I'm struggling to escape my situation
Take the chair my spine can't wail all night
I need to rest and recover before I can face my problems
Pin my eyes I'm going to get some sleep
I need to shut out the world for a little while and rest
My faith has been retired
I've lost my sense of purpose and hope
Clean my suit I have to look just right
I need to put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay
I've got one nail left in me yet
I'm barely hanging on, but I'm not quite defeated yet
It's sketchy stop screaming
I'm trying to keep it together, but things are falling apart
I think I am dying, collapsing, kids barking "you're so jealous"
I feel like I'm being attacked from all sides and it's overwhelming
Will the girls still like me nine days from now
I'm worried about how others perceive me and if they'll still care
They will paint my face and fix my hair like LEE
I'm trying to present a perfect image, like a celebrity
God how I'm the envy of them all
I want people to admire and respect me
Blame Seattle, blame the fake toupee
I'm looking for someone or something to blame for my problems
It's all about to tremble so change direction
I feel like everything is falling apart and I need to make a drastic change
I'm headed out to see this time
I'm leaving my problems behind and starting fresh
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.