Tired Pony was formed by Gary Lightbody (of Snow Patrol), who had a "long-term ambition" of making a country album. He revealed the project's existence in May 2009. In the interview, he expressed his love for country music, which he said he had loved for a long time: "I always thought I had a country album in me and it turns out I did." The rest of Snow Patrol expressed excitement for their band-mate, "delighted that [Lightbody was] getting to exorcise all his crazy ideas." In October 2009, Lightbody in his blog on Snow Patrol's website revealed the members of the group to be Richard Colburn (of Belle & Sebastian), Iain Archer, singer Miriam Kaufmann (Archer's wife), and Jacknife Lee. He talked about two more members whom he was very excited about, but didn't name them. He also stated that the album won't be country as was being reported, but would be "country-tinged". In January 2010, Hot Press reported Peter Buck (of R.E.M.) to be a member of the group. Lightbody described Buck as one of his "all-time heroes" and admired his talent for playing a variety of instruments. Lightbody looks at the project as something he has "wanted to get out of [his] system", and said that "[he doesn't] know whether people will dig it or not." He has expressed doubts about the commercial viability of the group's work, mainly in the United States.
Lightbody had a potential album fully written by May 2009, and had said he only needed to record it. On 13 October 2009, Lightbody debuted a Tired Pony song during Snow Patrol's tour stop in Portland. While playing an acoustic session for radio station KINK, he introduced the song which he said he had written the previous night. He said that the song was "written in Portland, inspired by Portland".
The album The Place We Ran From was released on July 12, 2010, in the United Kingdom and on September 28, 2010, in the United States. Its first single was "Dead American Writers, released one week before the album on vinyl only." It was recorded in only one week on January 2010, in Portland, Oregon, USA. It includes contributions from actress and singer Zooey Deschanel, guitarist M. Ward, and Tom Smith of the indie rock group Editors. Apart from playing on the album, Jacknife Lee is handling album production. The video for "Dead American Writers" stars British actor Joseph Gilgun and was directed by Paul Fraser (a longtime collaborator of Shane Meadows).
Tired Pony played their first live show at London's Forum venue in Kentish Town on July 14, 2010 and were joined on stage by 2009 Mercury Music Prize nominee Lisa Hannigan who stepped in for Zooey Deschanel on the song "Get On The Road". Editors singer Tom Smith also joined the group on stage.
On September 30, 2010, Tired Pony appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing "Dead American Writers" from the album. "Get on the road" was also featured on Showtime drama "Shameless" at the end of "Just Like the Pilgrims Intended" episode .
BLOOD
Tired Pony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will I learn to shut my mouth?
It's alright, it's alright
A love like ours is easy found.
Is it fucked, is it fucked
I chop through blood and bone for you?
This is me, this is me
A question mark in human form.
It's not an earth until it shakes.
It's not a love until it's lost.
It's not a heart until it is.
It's not a line until it's crossed.
I'm barely in it 'til I know
I won't return until I've broken every bone.
This is real
This is really happening
We are lost, we are lost
That's what I'm told eventually.
Bit your tongue, bit your tongue
Should give it here, I'll bite it too.
Here's a thought, here's a thought
How' bout we both say what we mean.
There's that smell, there's that smell
Looks like it's been there all this time.
It's not an earth until it shakes.
It's not a love until it's lost.
It's not a heart until it is.
It's not a line until it's crossed.
I'm barely in it but I know
I won't return until I've broken every bone.
This is real
This is really happening
This is real
This is really happening
This is real
This is really happening
This is real
This is really happening
This is real
This is really happening, happening
The song "Blood" by Tired Pony talks about the complexities and challenges of love. The first verse suggests that the singer has a tendency to speak impulsively and regrets doing so. They also acknowledge that their relationship is easy, but there may be some deep-seated issues that need to be addressed. The second verse emphasizes that experiences cannot be appreciated fully until they are vulnerable and that the singer is willing to take risks, even at the cost of being hurt. The chorus reiterates the idea that true love requires risk and loss, and that the singer is willing to break every bone to achieve it.
The following verse refers to the fact that sometimes relationships may seem lost, but the singer encourages communication and expression of thoughts, even if it isn't always easy or comfortable. The final statement about the smell that's been there all this time suggests that there may be deeper issues that have yet to be addressed, but the singer is still willing to work through them.
The chorus repeats the same idea that love requires pain and risk, but the following statement suggests that the singer is committed to taking these risks and experiencing love to its fullest. The repetition of "This is really happening" at the end of the song serves to emphasize that the singer is willing to face the consequences of their choices and live life authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
This is it, this is it
I've reached a critical moment or turning point
When will I learn to shut my mouth?
I tend to speak impulsively without considering the consequences
It's alright, it's alright
Our love is strong and enduring
A love like ours is easy found.
Our love is special and rare
Is it fucked, is it fucked
Our love is tested by difficult circumstances
I chop through blood and bone for you?
I am willing to endure physical and emotional pain for our love
This is me, this is me
I am a flawed and uncertain individual
A question mark in human form.
I am full of uncertainty and doubt about myself and our love
We are lost, we are lost
Our relationship is in a state of confusion and uncertainty
That's what I'm told eventually.
Others are warning me about the inevitable challenges and difficulties of our love
Bit your tongue, bit your tongue
We need to restrain ourselves from saying things we'll regret
Should give it here, I'll bite it too.
I am willing to share the burden of withholding our words
Here's a thought, here's a thought
Let's try and communicate honestly and openly
How' bout we both say what we mean.
We need to express our true desires and intentions to each other
There's that smell, there's that smell
The underlying issues in our relationship have been lingering for a while
Looks like it's been there all this time.
Our problems and challenges have existed for a long time and have not been properly addressed
It's not an earth until it shakes.
The true nature and strength of things are revealed only when tested by adversity
It's not a love until it's lost.
The true value and meaning of love is only appreciated when it is gone
It's not a heart until it is.
The heart is not fully developed or realized until it experiences pain and heartache
It's not a line until it's crossed.
The true boundaries and consequences of actions are only revealed when limits are exceeded
I'm barely in it but I know
I am deeply committed and invested in our love despite my doubts and insecurities
I won't return until I've broken every bone.
I am willing to endure physical pain and suffering for the sake of our love
This is real
Our love is genuine and authentic
This is really happening
Our relationship is facing real and significant challenges
Writer(s): Gary Lightbody, Scott Lewis Mc Caughey, Peter Buck Copyright: Macnor Music, Casa Lila Music, Universal Music Publishing Bl Ltd.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Erin Molloy
My favourite song at the moment!! Love the lyrics.
lori R
0:47 to 0:53 oof I felt that peice of lyric. it low-key hit me like an incoming train😖
LittleSarahR
This is the most brutal break up song of all time. Every word makes me cry.
A Knight that says Nee
Only in rare cases does the f#bomb not spoil a song. This is not one of them.