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.
Won't Get Too Far
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they had a picture too, this size
it jumps the pontiac from copsey's to here
my brother points with pride each time
it's not the biggest bridge
but it's still something he did
how about us
and I won't get that far
I've got a job I drive electrical orders
for a friend of dad's part time
I haven't used that bridge to travel much further
than to work or school for some time
I can't believe I'm grown
none of my friends live at home
not since fall
and I won't get too far
no, I won't get too far
no, I won't get too far
The Wrens's song Won't Get Too Far tells a story of a protagonist who comes to terms with the reality that their life is not how they imagined it would be. The lyrics begin with a mention of a bridge that the singer's dad had worked on, and a picture of it that someone had shown. This bridge holds symbolic importance for the singer's family, especially for their brother who likes to point it out with pride.
The singer then reflects on their current job - driving electrical orders for a friend of their dad's part-time. They admit that they haven't used the bridge to travel further than going to work or school for a while. They express their own disbelief at how much they've grown, and how none of their friends live at home anymore.
The repetition of the line "and I won't get too far" toward the end of the song emphasizes the singer's resignation to the fact that they haven't achieved the greatness they had hoped for in their life. The song seems to encourage listeners to reflect on their own lives and how they can strive for something more significant.
Line by Line Meaning
they mentioned the bridge that my dad had worked on
They spoke about the bridge my father had helped construct.
they had a picture too, this size
They even carried a photo of the bridge, not a small one either.
it jumps the pontiac from copsey's to here
The bridge allowed us to bypass Copsey's and bring our Pontiac here.
my brother points with pride each time
Every time my brother sees the bridge, he feels a sense of honor.
it's not the biggest bridge
The bridge may not be the largest one but it still has great value to us.
but it's still something he did
Despite its size, my father's contribution to the bridge is commendable.
how about us
What about our achievements, though?
and I won't get that far
I cannot expect to go great distances if I don't have something of similar magnitude to contribute.
I've got a job I drive electrical orders
I work for a friend of my father, delivering electrical orders.
for a friend of dad's part time
This is only a part-time gig, though, and my impact is still rather minimal.
I haven't used that bridge to travel much further
I haven't travelled very far beyond work or school using that bridge.
than to work or school for some time
I've only used it on my commute to work or school.
I can't believe I'm grown
I'm surprised by how quickly I've grown up and how distant my life has become from this bridge.
none of my friends live at home
My peers have all moved away from home and have experienced bigger, better things in their lives.
not since fall
It's been like this since autumn.
and I won't get too far
I cannot expect to make major strides in my life if I don't put in the effort and make significant contributions.
no, I won't get too far
I'm aware that my current efforts will not lead to major progress for me.
no, I won't get too far
I need to step up and do more to achieve the success and fulfillment I desire in my life.
Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.