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.
Yellow Number Three
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the good and best forgotten
smaller / smallest stone
two yisker lights on / i should be home
bootless and beaten / by Scotland’s own
we’re done / dismissing
i’m cold / what are we missing
tell me / tell me please
careers paraded / i gave two tries
The Wrens' Yellow Number Three begins with a slightly obscure and poetic verse. The lyrics "past crows / past cotton" speak to the idea of moving on from past experiences and leaving them behind. The line "the good and best forgotten" seems to reinforce this idea - that sometimes it's best to forget the past and move forward. The reference to stones, particularly the "smaller / smallest stone" seems to symbolize the weight that can be lifted when we choose to let go of things that are holding us back. The mention of "two yisker lights on" adds a sense of urgency and perhaps even anxiety to the verse - the singer is on their way somewhere and feels a sense of pressure to get there.
The second verse paints a more concrete picture - the singer is "bootless and beaten / by Scotland's own," which could mean that they have been traveling for some time and are exhausted. The lines "we're done / dismissing" seem to indicate that the singer has reached a breaking point - they are fed up with something and are ready to move on. The question "what are we missing" feels like the singer is searching for answers or trying to understand what's wrong. The line "right sides have faded / caught in disguise" seems to speak to the idea of feeling like you are not your true self or that you are living a lie. Finally, the line "careers paraded / i gave two tries" could be interpreted as a feeling of disappointment or failure in one's professional life.
Line by Line Meaning
past crows / past cotton
Those memories of the past have been left behind, like old crows and cotton fields.
the good and best forgotten
Only the good and best parts of the past are kept in memory, while the bad ones are forgotten.
smaller / smallest stone
Even the smallest things can be significant and carry weight in our lives.
two yisker lights on / i should be home
Seeing the Yisker lights reminds the artist that they should be back home, where they belong.
bootless and beaten / by Scotland’s own
The artist has been defeated and humiliated by someone or something from Scotland.
we’re done / dismissing
The situation has concluded and been dismissed, with no more actions needed to be taken.
i’m cold / what are we missing
The singer feels a sense of emptiness and confusion, wondering what they are lacking in life.
tell me / tell me please
The artist is pleading for someone to confide in and share their thoughts with.
rights sides have faded / caught in disguise
The good aspects and true nature of things have faded away, and now they are lost in deception and illusions.
careers paraded / i gave two tries
The artist has tried and failed at two different careers, and now feels defeated and unsure of their future.
Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.