The band's debut album was entitled Belongs to the Dead; and was released on Summersteps Records in 2006. The website AbsolutePunk gave their debut record a generally positive review, noting that "Tigers Jaw is fueled by emotionally-driven lyrics brought to life by vocalist Adam McIlwee, whose voice is one of those that reveal passion while at the same time giving the impression that he's barely trying." A self-titled album followed in 2008; which was released through Prison Jazz Records. Between their second and third albums, the band released an EP, Spirit Desire, via Tiny Engines; as well as a split seven-inch with Balance and Composure. Their third album, Two Worlds, was released on Run For Cover Records in 2010.
From 2010 to 2013, the band partook in several split releases and EPs. This included two acoustic releases for the Run For Cover Acoustic Series (both 2010), a split with The Sidekicks (2011), a seven-inch with two new songs, "Gypsy" and "Jimmy Piersall" (2011); a split with Tiny Empires (2011) and a four-way split release with Code Orange Kids, The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die and Self Defense Family. A seven-inch with two new songs, "Hum" and "Cool," was released in 2013.
On March 21, 2013, Collins made an announcement on the band's Tumblr: "After our show in Scranton two weeks ago, Adam, Pat, and Dennis let Ben and I know that for personal reasons they are unable to do Tigers Jaw anymore." Members of Basement filled in for former members of Tigers Jaw during their 2013 UK tour. The band released their fourth studio album, Charmer, in May 2014, though they are not broken up, it is the final album to feature McIlwee, Mishko and Brier.
Since McIlwee's departure from the band he has lead onto solo-recording act Wicca Phase Springs Eternal joining Gothboiclique in 2012, he has also released music with his group Misery Club started in 2018.
Gypsy
Tigers Jaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back to the floor, that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy... that I was
And it all comes down to you
Well, you know that it does
And lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
Oh, and it lights up the night
You see your gypsy
To th gypsy that remains faces freedom with a little fear
I have no fear, I have only love
And if I was a child
And the child was enough
Enough for me to love
Enough to love
She is dancing away from me now
She was just a wish
She was just a wish
And a memory is all that is left for you now
You see your gypsy
You see your gypsy
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
And it all comes down to you
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
I still see your bright eyes, bright eyes
I have always loved you
And it all comes down to you
The song "Gypsy" by Tiger's Jaw is a nostalgic tune that takes the listener on a journey back in time. The lyrics are somewhat abstract and open to interpretation, but they seem to be about someone returning to a familiar place that they love. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer describing how they are returning to the "velvet underground," a reference to the iconic 1960s rock band of the same name. They are going back to a room with "lace and paper flowers," suggesting a sort of bohemian atmosphere. The singer is returning to the "gypsy that I was," indicating that they are rediscovering a part of themselves that they may have lost.
The chorus is where the song really takes off, with the singer proclaiming that "it all comes down to you" and that "lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice." This could be interpreted as the singer realizing that everything in their life has led up to this moment, or it could be a reference to a person who has had a profound impact on their life. This person is their "gypsy," and they see them vividly in their mind's eye. The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer declaring that they have "no fear, only love" and that if they were a child, that child would be enough for them to love. The song ends with the singer admitting that their "gypsy" is dancing away from them, but that they will always love them.
Overall, "Gypsy" is a deeply emotional song that speaks to the power of memory and nostalgia. It captures the feeling of looking back on a time in your life with a mixture of fondness and sadness, and the way that certain people or places can have a profound impact on your life. The lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, but this is part of what makes the song so affecting - the listener can bring their own interpretation to it and find their own meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
So I'm back, to the velvet under ground
I have returned to the place where I feel most comfortable and at home - the underground where everything is soft and lush.
Back to the floor, that I love
I am back to the low ground where I don't have to look up at anything or anyone, and where I can find peace.
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
In this space, I have decorated with delicate and intricate things in order to create an atmosphere of beauty and gentleness.
Back to the gypsy... that I was
I am returning to the free and wandering spirit that I used to be - a person who was not tied down by society's expectations, responsibilities or rules.
And it all comes down to you
In the end, everything that happens and everything that I do comes back to you - you are the center of my world.
Well, you know that it does
I don't need to say it, because you already know how much you mean to me and how much I rely on you.
And lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
Sometimes unexpected and overwhelming things happen to us, like a strike of lightning - it could be good or bad, but it always leaves an impact.
Oh, and it lights up the night
It illuminates the darkness and brings attention to what's happening in that moment. It's a powerful image and symbol.
And you see your gypsy
You can see that I am still the same person I used to be - free, playful, and maybe a little unpredictable.
To the gypsy that remains faces freedom with a little fear
For those of us who still feel like wandering spirits, we know that with freedom comes a certain amount of fear, uncertainty and risk.
I have no fear, I have only love
Despite that fear, I am choosing to focus on love and the things that matter to me. I am not afraid to take risks, because I know that you are always there for me.
And if I was a child
If I could go back to a time when I was innocent and carefree.
And the child was enough
If the simplicity and purity of childhood was enough to satisfy me, to feel fulfilled and happy.
Enough for me to love
If I could be content with just experiencing love, without any complications or added expectations.
She is dancing away from me now
But now that moment is passing and things are changing - that feeling of freedom and playfulness is starting to fade.
She was just a wish
Maybe it was just a fantasy or a fleeting thought that crossed my mind. Maybe it wasn't real at all.
And a memory is all that is left for you now
All that remains is a memory of that time when I felt truly free and alive. It is something that I will always cherish and look back on with fondness.
I still see your bright eyes, bright eyes
But even as that feeling fades, I am still drawn to you and captivated by your presence. Your bright eyes and energy remind me of that time when everything seemed possible.
I have always loved you
And through everything, one thing remains constant - my love for you. It is something that will never go away or fade.
And it all comes down to you
No matter what happens or where life takes me, in the end, it always comes back to you. You are my constant and my home.
Writer(s): BILLY REID
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shanghighmonk
So I'm back, to the velvet under ground
Back to the floor, that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy... that I was
And it all comes down to you
Well, you know that it does
And lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
Oh, and it lights up the night
And you see your gypsy
You see your gypsy
To th gypsy that remains faces freedom with a little fear
I have no fear, I have only love
And if I was a child
And the child was enough
Enough for me to love
Enough to love
She is dancing away from me now
She was just a wish
She was just a wish
And a memory is all that is left for you now
You see your gypsy
You see your gypsy
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
And it all comes down to you
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
I still see your bright eyes, bright eyes
I have always loved you
And it all comes down to you
@theraginmexi
That guitar solo at the end is TOOOOOO good
@ilovedannyj
possibly my favorite cover ever
@LanguageSimp
WOOO!!!
@dmitriyvezelev
didn't expect to see you here O_o
@shanghighmonk
So I'm back, to the velvet under ground
Back to the floor, that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy... that I was
And it all comes down to you
Well, you know that it does
And lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
Oh, and it lights up the night
And you see your gypsy
You see your gypsy
To th gypsy that remains faces freedom with a little fear
I have no fear, I have only love
And if I was a child
And the child was enough
Enough for me to love
Enough to love
She is dancing away from me now
She was just a wish
She was just a wish
And a memory is all that is left for you now
You see your gypsy
You see your gypsy
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
And it all comes down to you
Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And it all comes down to you
I still see your bright eyes, bright eyes
I have always loved you
And it all comes down to you
@CameronForrester
Tuesdays With Tay.
@ape6231
yeaa
@nathanperaza373
That show is missed
@ericfoster8411
That’s all I will ever think of when I hear that intro.
@nickseacruz
still can't get enough of this cover