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).
Trouble
Unwoman Lyrics
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It rests with eyes and words for now, my treachery
Does the young planet know the force with which she pulls
Who can blame two bodies for obeying gravity?
Yes there are things that can't be undone
But neither can they be unsaid; you can't be unwanted
Knowing well that this could be the crisis
Despite admonishments I remain undaunted
The path of least resistance and the most harm
I always get what I ask for
But never know what I want
So when I asked for it, Trouble found me
It lives in flesh and bone, our treachery
I won't ask the lioness to change her nature
However merciless, however bloody
This is not the first secret it won't be the last
I see all the future tears as if they've already passed
As if it's already known
For now we keep it close
I ask again, my friend -- Trouble find me
Remind me how it feels, my treachery
In Unwoman's song Trouble, the lyrics convey a sense of inner turmoil and acceptance of one's own self-destructive tendencies. The opening line "I wasn't looking for - Trouble found me" suggests that the singer did not actively seek out trouble but rather it seems to have come to them. This trouble is described as a treachery that resides in both eyes and words, suggesting that it may be tied to interpersonal relationships.
The next line "Does the young planet know the force with which she pulls" refers to the metaphorical gravitational forces that may have drawn two bodies together. The singer poses a rhetorical question of "Who can blame two bodies for obeying gravity?" implying that it is natural for individuals to be drawn to each other, despite any potential negative consequences.
Despite acknowledging the potential harm, the singer remains undaunted in their pursuit of this attraction. The lines "Now I'm poised to fall the final distance into your arms, The path of least resistance and the most harm" highlights the tension between the desire to be close to someone and the knowledge that it could result in harm.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer always gets what they ask for but never knows what they want. The line "So when I asked for it, Trouble found me, It lives in flesh and bone, our treachery" suggests that the singer is aware of their tendencies to fall into trouble and accepts that it is a part of their nature.
The end of the song is marked with a sense of finality, as the singer accepts that they cannot change their nature, and implores Trouble to find them again in the future. The closing line "Remind me how it feels, my treachery" indicates that the singer desires to feel the thrill and danger of trouble once more, despite the potential repercussions.
Overall, Trouble is a powerful song that explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotional forces that drive them.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't looking for -- Trouble found me
I didn't intend for anything bad to happen, but it did anyway due to circumstances beyond my control.
It rests with eyes and words for now, my treachery
The blame for the current situation lies with me, because of my actions and words.
Does the young planet know the force with which she pulls
Do we realize the immense power we hold, and the effects that our actions can have?
Who can blame two bodies for obeying gravity?
We are driven by natural forces and impulses that are difficult to control or resist.
Yes there are things that can't be undone
Some things that happen are irreversible and cannot be changed or undone.
But neither can they be unsaid; you can't be unwanted
Words and actions have consequences that cannot be taken back, and it's hard to change someone's feelings towards you.
Knowing well that this could be the crisis
I am aware that the situation I am in could lead to a serious and potentially damaging outcome.
Despite admonishments I remain undaunted
Even though others have warned me, I am not afraid and will continue on my current path.
Now I'm poised to fall the final distance into your arms
I am ready to take the next step and fully commit to a risky or uncertain situation.
The path of least resistance and the most harm
The easiest and most comfortable option is also the one with the potential to cause the most damage.
I always get what I ask for
I tend to get what I want, but I may not always be happy with the outcome.
But never know what I want
I am not always sure what I truly desire or need.
So when I asked for it, Trouble found me
I brought this situation upon myself by seeking it out, even if I didn't fully understand the consequences.
It lives in flesh and bone, our treachery
Our capacity for deception and betrayal is part of our nature as human beings.
I won't ask the lioness to change her nature
I cannot ask someone to change who they are or what they desire, even if it may cause pain or harm to others.
However merciless, however bloody
Even if the situation is brutal or violent, it is still part of the natural order of things.
This is not the first secret it won't be the last
There have been secrets before and there will be more in the future, as that is part of the human experience.
I see all the future tears as if they've already passed
I can predict the emotional pain that will follow from this situation, as if it has already happened.
As if it's already known
It feels like this outcome was inevitable and always meant to happen.
For now we keep it close
We will keep this situation and our feelings about it private, at least for the time being.
I ask again, my friend -- Trouble find me
I am willingly and knowingly seeking out risky or dangerous situations, despite the potential consequences.
Remind me how it feels, my treachery
Help me remember the cost and pain of my past actions, so that I may not make the same mistakes again.
Contributed by Maria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.