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.
Per Second Second
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
per second second faster from the winner's line
and the lord pulled up yea-high
we drove on
throw coal to fire try to make Short Hills
lordy gathered kills - two from france and one from avalon
kill's kitchen lazy-susan spinning down
a sure sign he's left town
not for long
God's button-down silk-blended shirt by ralph lauren ($65)
pants by House of Men ($95)
hair by Xi of fort lee
he had a ___ ___ and the slickest DA cut
a dueling scar or what
it's so him
soooo A.D.
I gave as sexy as I got
in every vacant lot
the lord taught me a lot
SBS / CCD / 8-track of crimson & clover
drove playing it over and over
shot rock-splitter to god: carry me home
we picked up Hope who fell down faith and pulled up stakes
staking odds on bigger breaks
bottle spins (kiss)
win I spy
I spy sex becomes our crappy sad reward
for another day endured
leg on dash
hand on thigh
she said, 'you're on my hair! You're on my hair! Press hard I'm almost there. Driver, yes! Spill the wine!'
homecomings all reveal
shortcomings and old devil's deal
I'm shot
The Wrens song Per Second Second has lyrics that are open to interpretation, but many believe that it could be a recounting of a dream. The dream consists of moments that are fragmented and disconnected, leading some to suggest that it is a representation of a fragmented mind. The first two lines "I had this dream again ann shot me / per second second faster from the winner's line" suggest that the singer was shot and is escaping, possibly from something that they have won. The next line "and the lord pulled up yea-high" is open to interpretation, but many have interpreted it to be referring to the singer's escape being "blessed" by God.
After escaping, the singer drives with the lord, who is described as being impeccably dressed. They pick up someone called Hope and engage in sexual activity in a few different locations. It seems as though they are using sex as a way of coping with the difficulties of their lives. The dream ends with the line "Homecomings all reveal / Shortcomings and old devil's deal / I'm shot," suggesting that the singer is still struggling with the problems in their life.
Overall, the lyrics of Per Second Second are cryptic and open to interpretation. They suggest a feeling of disconnection and dissatisfaction with life. The singers use sexual encounters to escape the problems they face but ultimately cannot avoid them.
Line by Line Meaning
I had this dream again and shot me....
I had a recurring dream where I'm shot and killed.
per second second faster from the winner's line
Every second is precious, and we're trying to move as fast as we can.
and the lord pulled up yea-high
In a moment of spiritual realization, we feel like we're lifted up by God.
we drove on
We continued our journey without stopping.
throw coal to fire try to make Short Hills
We're working hard to keep moving, hoping to reach Short Hills.
lordy gathered kills - two from france and one from avalon
Figuratively, God is collecting deaths, two from France and one from Avalon.
kill's kitchen lazy-susan spinning down
The people and food in Kill's kitchen are in chaos, going in circles.
a sure sign he's left town
It's evident that Kill is no longer in charge or around.
kill can't hide
Even if Kill tries to avoid his problems and responsibilities, he can't escape them forever.
not for long
His escape won't last forever, eventually reality will catch up with him.
God's button-down silk-blended shirt by ralph lauren ($65)
God is portrayed as a fashionable being who wears a silk-blended shirt by Ralph Lauren.
pants by House of Men ($95)
God's pants are also made by a well-known designer.
hair by Xi of fort lee
God's hair is styled by Xi of Fort Lee, suggesting that even in heaven they have beauty salons.
he had a ___ ___ and the slickest DA cut
God has a certain hairstyle, a slick DA cut, that suits him well.
a dueling scar or what
God has a scar on his face from a past altercation. Or maybe he just looks like he could have one.
it's so him
This description of God's appearance seems fitting and characteristic of him.
soooo A.D.
The description of God's style seems to fit a certain time period, possibly the 1950s or 60s.
I gave as sexy as I got
In every encounter, I matched the other person's level of attraction and seduction.
in every vacant lot
No matter where we were, I was always up for some physical intimacy.
the lord taught me a lot
Through these experiences, I learned a lot about myself and my desires.
SBS / CCD / 8-track of crimson & clover
We listened to the song 'Crimson & Clover' repeatedly on an 8-track player, probably on the way to Short Hills.
drove playing it over and over
We were so enamored with the song that we didn't stop playing it on repeat.
shot rock-splitter to god: carry me home
Directly addressing God, I ask to be taken to my final resting place.
we picked up Hope who fell down faith and pulled up stakes
We encountered a person named Hope who had lost their faith and was leaving town.
staking odds on bigger breaks
We were taking risks, hoping for something better to come our way.
bottle spins (kiss)
We played a game of spin the bottle and shared a kiss as a result.
win I spy
I win at the game 'I Spy,' probably because I had a better view out the window.
I spy sex becomes our crappy sad reward
Sex has become a sad consolation prize for us in the face of life's difficulties and disappointments.
for another day endured
We have to endure each day as it comes, trying to make the best of things.
leg on dash
In the car, I put my leg up on the dashboard for comfort.
hand on thigh
My hand is resting on my partner's thigh.
she said, 'you're on my hair! You're on my hair! Press hard I'm almost there. Driver, yes! Spill the wine!'
During our physical encounter, she complains about me getting into her hair, but still encourages me to continue. She also asks the driver to put on the song 'Spill the Wine.'
homecomings all reveal
When we return home, we're faced with all of our flaws and dysfunction.
shortcomings and old devil's deal
We're confronted with the negative aspects of our lives, which may have resulted from a 'deal with the devil.'
I'm shot
The song ends with a repeated reminder that I was shot and killed in the recurring dream.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.