Unwoman (aka Erica Mulkey) is a San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴Unwoman (aka Erica Mulkey) is a San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter. Layered with skillful cello, rich vocals, and electronically arranged beats, her solo music is a futuristic homage to her classical training. Unwoman performs often in the Bay Area and has been featured at major steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events all over North America. She has collaborated with Abney Park, Stripmall Architecture, Voltaire, Rasputina, Jill Tracy, Vernian Process, Caustic, and Attrition. Other influences include Amanda Palmer, Florence and the Machine, IAMX, Imogen Heap, Siouxsie Sioux, and Beats Antique. Extremely versatile, able to perform with no amplification, just cello and voice ("acacella") or with full backing tracks, she also plays the piano, cello banjo, and theremin.

In Spring of 2010 Unwoman released her fourth full-length self-produced album, Casualties. Its pressing was funded by fans on kickstarter, and its release coincided with a huge bump in her popularity due to several enthusiastic tweets from Amanda Palmer. In September 2011 she released Uncovered Volume 1, an album of dramatic reinterpretations of popular songs written betwen 1980 and 1995, also funded by fans via kickstarter.

Unwoman performs solo, with drummer Felix Macnee as Heavy Sugar Duo, and as a guest in other bands, throughout the US. Unwoman has performed solo at WorldCon (Reno, NV 2011), Steamcon I, II, and III (Seattle), Victoria Steam Exposition (Victoria, BC), Bats Day in the Fun Park (Anaheim, CA), Can't Stop the Serenity (Phoenix, AZ), Nova Albion (SF Bay Area), Fanime (San Jose, CA), and Teslacon (Madison, WI).

KIDS
Unwoman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You were a child
Crawling on your knees toward it
Making momma so proud
But your voice is too loud
We like to watch you laughing
You pick the insects off plants
No time to think of consequences

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted

The water is warm
But it's sending me shivers
A baby is born
Crying out for attention
Memories fade
Like looking through a fogged mirror
Decisions too
Decisions are made and not bought

But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot
I guess not

Overall Meaning

The song "Kids" by Unwoman is a haunting reflection on childhood and growing up in a world where one's actions have consequences. The song is also a warning to children, urging them to be mindful of their behavior and the impact it has on others. The first verse paints a picture of a child, crawling on their knees "toward it" (presumably a toy or other object), making their mother proud. However, their "voice is too loud," indicating that they are perhaps too enthusiastic or boisterous. The second line, "We like to watch you laughing," adds a sinister edge to the parents' admiration, suggesting that they are enjoying the child's happiness in a way that is not entirely benign.

The chorus urges the child to "control yourself" and "take only what you need from it," referring to the world around them. The line "A family of trees wanting to be haunted" is a reference to the natural world, which is often seen as haunting or eerie in its beauty and complexity. The idea of a family of trees wanting to be haunted suggests that there is a desire within nature to be appreciated and respected, but that humans often fail to do so.

The second verse begins with the line "The water is warm, but it's sending me shivers," which is a chilling image that suggests that something is not quite right. The following line, "A baby is born, crying out for attention," adds to the sense of unease, as it suggests that even innocent new life is vulnerable to the dangers of the world. The mention of "memories fade" and "decisions made and not bought" could refer to the process of growing up and making choices that shape one's life. The final line, "But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot, I guess not," suggests that the singer has made a mistake and is now paying the price for it.

Overall, "Kids" is a powerful and unsettling song that invites reflection on the nature of childhood and the world around us. It is a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that we must be mindful of our impact on others and the natural world.

Line by Line Meaning

You were a child
You used to be young and innocent

Crawling on your knees toward it
You were eagerly pursuing something on your hands and knees

Making momma so proud
Your mother was delighted with your behavior

But your voice is too loud
You are too noisy and disruptive

We like to watch you laughing
Although you can be a nuisance, we still enjoy seeing you happy

You pick the insects off plants
You are curious and like to explore the world around you

No time to think of consequences
You are too young to consider the long-term effects of your actions

Control yourself
Take charge of your actions to be successful in life.

Take only what you need from it
Take only what you require for your survival

A family of trees wanting to be haunted
The trees desire visitors or company

The water is warm
The surroundings seem to be comfortable