Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
My Country
Tune-Yards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see my future within your arms
Your love it turns me down
Into the underground
My country bleeding me; I will not stay in your arms
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet (daoe)
Not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
At the Salvation army making us all stand in a line
While mommy and daddy make up and try to make up their minds
Oh the shame I felt when those histories mention my name
If only I could forget, but memory's my favorite thing (?)
We cannot have it
Well, what am I supposed to say to those others
'So sorry, but you only took half a chance
Now it's over and they're walkin' all over you'
We cannot have it
Well then why is there juice dripping under your chin
When they have nothing, why do you have something
When they have nothing
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
I got me, you've got you
That's one plus one plus two
I never told you what to do
And then you put me in some box
I've got you, you've got me
Like a baby's got (?)
I told myself I'd have to check islands
If I was gonna get over your shit
We cannot have it
Well then what do you want me to say to those others
Oh yes, there's a place for you
But that place is underneath the cushion of my behind
We cannot have it
Well then why did you say so
With my eyes open, how can I be happy
With my eyes open
If nothing of this is ours,
How will I ever know when something's mine
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see it
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty, yeah
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see a future within your arms
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
The song "My Country" by tUnE-yArDs explores the themes of identity, belonging, and disillusionment with one's country. The song opens with a reference to the American national anthem, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty," but the lyrics quickly subvert this patriotic sentiment. The singer questions why they cannot see a future for themselves within their country's embrace- a sentiment which could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the singer feels disenfranchised or marginalized by their country's political or cultural norms, or perhaps they are frustrated by the limitations placed on their personal freedoms. The repetition of the phrase "not yet" suggests that the singer is not giving up hope entirely, but may be waiting for change to occur before they can truly feel at home in their country.
The lyrics then shift to a more personal narrative as the singer reflects on their family dynamic and the shame they have felt in the past. The line "If only I could forget, but memory's my favorite thing" could be interpreted as a reference to the way in which our past experiences shape our identities and feelings of belonging. The chorus repeats, with the singer questioning why some people seem to have more advantages in life than others, and the line "The worst thing about living a lie is just wondering when they'll find out" could be interpreted as a fear of being exposed as an imposter or fraud.
Overall, "My Country" is a complex exploration of the intersections between national identity and personal identity, and the way in which feelings of disenchantment or disillusionment with one's country can have deeply personal implications.
Line by Line Meaning
My country, 'tis of thee
Addressing America as her country
Sweet land of liberty
America, a place of freedom
How come I cannot see my future within your arms
Wondering why she does not feel secure and content in America
Your love it turns me down
Feeling that America's systems and structures crush her potential to succeed
Into the underground
Being pushed down by the oppressive forces of American society
My country bleeding me; I will not stay in your arms
Feeling drained by American culture and refusing to stay complacent in it
Not yet, yet, yet
An expression of hesitation and uncertainty
No, not yet, yet, yet
A denial of acquiescence
At the Salvation army making us all stand in a line
Recalling a memory of being forced to wait in line at a thrift store
While mommy and daddy make up and try to make up their minds
Parents sorting out their personal issues and leaving the child in an uncomfortable situation
Oh the shame I felt when those histories mention my name
Feeling embarrassed by past actions being brought up again
If only I could forget, but memory's my favorite thing (?)
Struggling to move forward from previous mistakes due to an attachment to memories
We cannot have it
Feeling that success and happiness are impossible to attain in America's systems
Well, what am I supposed to say to those others
Expressing frustration at not knowing how to respond to others' expectations
'So sorry, but you only took half a chance
Acknowledging that opportunities are limited and often unfulfilling
Now it's over and they're walkin' all over you'
Feeling like others are taking advantage of her limited opportunities
Well then why is there juice dripping under your chin
Questioning why others seem to have more when they seemingly do less
When they have nothing, why do you have something
Feeling angry at the luck and privilege afforded to some while others struggle despite hard work
The worst thing about living a lie
Expressing the difficulty and anxiety of feeling dishonest or inauthentic
Is just wondering when they'll find out
Feeling a constant fear of being exposed and rejected for not being true to oneself
I got me, you've got you
Acknowledging that they are on different paths and can't necessarily rely on each other
That's one plus one plus two
Recognizing the separate identities they have even when in a relationship
I never told you what to do
Asserting that they have always been autonomous and not controlled each other
And then you put me in some box
Feeling constrained and misunderstood in a relationship despite prior independence
Like a baby's got (?)
Unclear, possibly alluding to dependency or need for care
I told myself I'd have to check islands
Realizing that moving on and finding happiness may require more drastic measures
If I was gonna get over your shit
Expressing frustration and difficulty in letting go of past trauma or mistreatment
What do you want me to say to those others
Feeling unsure how to respond to others' expectations and demands
Oh yes, there's a place for you
Sarcastically acknowledging that others want to control their future and place them in a box
But that place is underneath the cushion of my behind
Rejecting others' expectations and asserting a desire to chart their own path
If nothing of this is ours,
Questioning whether America truly offers freedom and opportunity to all
How will I ever know when something's mine
Expressing difficulty in feeling ownership and belonging in a society that feels alienating
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Symbolism Literacy
"[Spoken]
Ladies and gentleman, Merrill is performing at the
[Singing]
My country 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see
My future within your arms?
Your love it drags me down
Into the underground
My country bleeding me
I will not stay in your arms
No not yet
At the Salvation Army
Making us all stand in a line
While Mommy and Daddy make up
And try to make up their mind
Oh the shame I felt
When those histories mentioned my name!
If only I could forget
But memory's my favorite game
We cannot all have it
Well what I am I supposed to say to those other guys
So sorry but you only stood half a chance
Now it's over and they're walkin all over you
We cannot all have it
Well why is there juice dripping under your chin
When they have nothing why do you have something
When they have nothing
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
I've got me, you've got you
That's one plus one plus two
I never told you what to do
But then you put me in some box
I've got you, you've got me
Like a baby's got a bumblebee
I told myself I'd have to jump higher
If I was gonna get over your shit
We cannot all have it
Well what do you want me to say to the others
Oh yes there's a place for you
But that place is underneath the cushion of my behind
We cannot all have it
Well why did you say so!
With my eyes open how can I feel happy?
With my eyes open
If nothing of this is ours
How will I ever know when something's mine?"
mariuarg
2021 and I'm still watching this wonderful video and listening this AWESOME song. Love u, tUnE-yArDs. You're AMAZINGGGG.
Solos Secret shop
top up on this unique mofo 2day <3
Raquel Costa
😮😅uu 😅😮😅😮😮😮😮uu
JD Calabrese
I've watched a few of their videos now and it ALWAYS looks like Merrill is having a blast! You can't help but not be happy after watching them.
Solos Secret shop
Id go down swinging to defend the name of her authenticity
KARINA MARGARITA GUTIÉRREZ TORRES
ESTA CANCIÓN ES MI FAVORITA DE TUNE YARDS MY COUNTRY 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Kalan You
Any old-school tune yard fans that knew where this all came from. She is amazing looping sounds and vocals I really hope she is apart of the mixing of this new way of getting her music out there.
trashpilechannel
Her videos are amazing, the set is fun to be on, and the camera crew from 4AD is just really respectful.
LeninovaPles
Cant get it out of my head, feels like being REALLY alive. Thank you guys, awesome piece :)
princessem1981
No. The kids had an absolute blast filming this. Mimi Cave is an awesome director and always makes everything exciting and fun, and anything Merrill is involved with is super fun. =)