Gilmore is said to have become interested in music as a result of her father's record collection, which included work by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits, among others. At 16 she left home and began working in a recording studio where she was discovered by her now long-time collaborator, producer and sometime co-songwriter Nigel Stonier, who became her husband in a ceremony in October 2005.
Thea recorded her debut album aged just 17 and then entered a spell of productivity which, in the four and a half years from January 1999 to August 2003, saw her record and release six albums including four "official" releases and two cult albums which were only intended for internet release but which have long since been available in the shops. In 2001, with the release of Rules For Jokers, she hit some kind of national nerve and garnered some attendant airplay but it wasn't until 2003's Avalanche that Thea finally began to make significant waves. Avalanche became Radio 2's Album Of The Week and spawned two hit singles including her first certifiable Top 40 hit Juliet. Thea has gathered countless plaudits over the years - "the best British singer songwriter of the last ten years - and then some" (Uncut), "so good its scary" (Mojo), and "Gilmore is already in a league of her own" (Q) immediately spring to mind - but Avalanche was truly a quantum leap forward and "a breakthrough record" (Times) to boot. And you can bet that Thea remains the only artiste to have her under-$50 video shown on Top Of The Pops.
Increasing radio support and acclaim from the music press led to a lucrative tour of the US in 2004, in support of legendary folksinger Joan Baez. During this time, Gilmore was diagnosed with clinical depression and also split from her personal relationship with Nigel Stonier after seven years, although they continued touring and working together.
In 2005, Gilmore continued touring commitments, for the first time not releasing a new album (the covers collection Loft Music was widely released during 2004). In October 2005, she and Stonier, who, in the light of Gilmore's depression diagnosis, re-started their personal relationship, married in a ceremony near their home in Cheshire.
Gilmore finally returned to recording with the release of Harpo's Ghost in August 2006, after a three-year absence of new material. The album was once again acclaimed in the music press and UK radio lent their support to the single "Cheap Tricks." Gilmore has been touted by Uncut magazine as "the best British singer-songwriter of the last 10 years...and then some" and has gained steady acclaim for each of her albums.
On November 14th, 2006, Gilmore gave birth to her first child with Stonier, a son named Egan, having conducted a UK tour in the autumn while heavily pregnant.
Thea Gilmore writes lyrics that somehow combine awesome poetic grace together with a 21st century barbed undercurrent. She also delivers razor sharp missives on life, love, sex, death, politics and wars (both personal and global) and all with an achingly-beautiful delivery which melts hearts in an instant. Someone once remarked that Thea is a hellraiser with a voice like honey and if you get to meet her you will know what this means. Barely out of her teenage daze, Thea was being compared to everyone from Joni Mitchell to Ryan Adams and Tom Waits and now at 31, Thea is going to make you think sweet somethings all over again.
www.theagilmore.net
Contessa
Thea Gilmore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I thought I told you you couldn't call round anymore
And outside in the street and the rains turning tricks on the day
Contessa, I've told you so why do you come anyway?
Well, ten years ago by the motorway bridge with a smile
And your red lacquer shoes, oh you lived inside me for a while
I had an old cow bone that I used to draw hearts in the dust
'Cause I've gone
Gone run that road
I've gone
Gone run that road
Run that road home
I was a scared little kid with a head full of hormones and holes
With one eye on atonement and a body already grown old
There you were with your secrets and your notebook of genuine lies
Saying "girl its your party
But you sure as hell don't wanna cry,
Don't wanna cry"
I've gone
Gone run that road
I've gone
Gone run that road
Run that road home
Yeah, run that road home
So I was the black sheep, yeah, I was the lone cavalier
But with a face like stone, oh Connie its lonely out here
I've taken some pills and I've played with the hand I was dealt
And you saved me that time but now I've learned to save myself
And I've gone
Gone run that road
I've gone
Gone run that road
Run that road home
Oh, run that road home
Yeah, run that road home
Yeah, run that road home
In Thea Gilmore's song Contessa, the singer is addressing an old flame, referred to as Contessa, who continues to visit despite being told not to. The song appears to be about a past relationship that has since ended, leaving the singer feeling hurt and betrayed. The mention of red lacquer shoes and a motorway bridge indicates a time when the singer and Contessa had an intimate relationship, but the exact details of what happened are unclear. The singer reflects on their own past insecurities and struggles with growing up, and how Contessa played a role in making them feel seen and heard. However, the relationship ultimately ended and the singer has since learned to rely on themselves for comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Contessa, Contessa, oh please leave your hat by the door
The singer is calling out to Contessa to kindly take off her hat before entering their home.
Well, I thought I told you you couldn't call round anymore
The singer has previously asked Contessa not to visit anymore but she continues to do so.
And outside in the street and the rains turning tricks on the day
It's raining outside and the weather is playing tricks on the day.
Contessa, I've told you so why do you come anyway?
The artist is questioning why Contessa continues to visit despite being asked not to.
Well, ten years ago by the motorway bridge with a smile
The artist reminisces about meeting Contessa ten years ago near a motorway bridge where Contessa was smiling.
And your red lacquer shoes, oh you lived inside me for a while
Contessa had a strong impact on the singer emotionally during the time they spent together.
I had an old cow bone that I used to draw hearts in the dust
The singer had a sentimental object that they used to make marks with.
Contessa please tell me just what the hell happened to us
The artist is seeking an explanation from Contessa on how their relationship fell apart.
'Cause I've gone
The artist is claiming that they have moved on.
Gone run that road
The artist has gone down a road of self-discovery.
I was a scared little kid with a head full of hormones and holes
The singer describes themselves as a scared and uncertain young person.
With one eye on atonement and a body already grown old
The artist is seeking forgiveness and redemption for their past actions, even though they feel like an old person.
There you were with your secrets and your notebook of genuine lies
Contessa had her own personal secrets and lies that the singer may have been unaware of.
Saying "girl its your party
Contessa may have been urging the singer to take control of their own life.
But you sure as hell don't wanna cry,
Contessa says that the singer shouldn't let their emotions get the best of them.
Don't wanna cry"
Contessa advises the artist to avoid crying.
So I was the black sheep, yeah, I was the lone cavalier
The artist felt like an outcast and a rebel.
But with a face like stone, oh Connie its lonely out here
Even though the singer portrays themselves as strong and stoic, they feel lonely.
I've taken some pills and I've played with the hand I was dealt
The singer has dealt with their struggles by turning to medication and by figuring things out as they go.
And you saved me that time but now I've learned to save myself
Contessa may have helped the artist at one point in their life, but now the artist has learned to be self-sufficient.
Oh, run that road home
The artist is looking towards the future and hopes to find their way back home.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GILMORE, THEA GILMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind