After spending a difficult couple of years in Los Angeles, singing backing vocals and dating an idiot, Brown decided that she had had enough of America and returned home to London. She left her useless American boyfriend behind and decided to start anew. She bought a one-stringed guitar from a second-hand shop, and rented a tiny attic in east London. Within half an hour, she had written her debut single, Crying Blood, about a relationship meltdown.
Vanessa Brown released her debut album, Travelling Like the Light, in July 2009 by Universal Records. The album was preceded by limited non-chart eligible releases of Crying Blood and Leave!, as well as a third single entitled Shark in the Water, which peaked at #34 in the UK Singles Chart, making it her most successful single to date.
Brown wrote the music and plays instruments on the album. It is inspired by 1950s and electronic music as well as sounds emitted from Game Boy and Nintendo. Most of the lyrics on the album are about a failed affair Brown endured. On 5 December 2008, she was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2009 award, alongside acts including Little Boots and Lady GaGa.
A fourth single, game over, was released in September 21, 2009.
The first single from Brown's second album was titled Children and was released to US iTunes on September 20 2011.
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Ghosts
VV Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping to find the better place
Close to the border
Watching me, watching this
I jumped in the water
Feeling deep, over my head
...
Dried out the harbor
...
Crashed into sorrow
Woke up...
...
The lyrics of VV Brown's song Ghosts seem to depict a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. In the opening lines, the singer suggests that they have left behind a familiar and perhaps stagnant life to seek out something better. The use of the term "curbside" implies that they were previously stationary, stuck in a cycle of routine and familiarity. However, by stepping off the curbside, they are taking a risk and venturing into the unknown.
As the song progresses, the singer finds themselves plunged into a situation that feels overwhelming and beyond their control. The image of jumping into the water could signify a dive into the deep end of life, a willingness to take risks and embrace the unknown. Yet, the line "feeling deep, over my head" implies that this journey is not without its challenges, and there may be moments of doubt or uncertainty.
Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that despite the hardships faced along the way, the singer has emerged stronger and wiser. The line "dried out the harbor" suggests that they have overcome the hardships they faced in their journey, perhaps even finding personal healing along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Stepped off the curbside
I took a risk and left my comfort zone
Hoping to find the better place
I was searching for a happier life
Close to the border
I was on the edge of something new
Watching me, watching this
I was being observed and judged
I jumped in the water
I took action and dove into a situation
Feeling deep, over my head
I was overwhelmed by the depth of my emotions
...
The rest of this verse is not provided, please continue to the next verse
Watching me, calling me
I was being tempted and beckoned by something unfamiliar
Dried out the harbor
The safe haven that once existed is now gone
...
The rest of this verse is not provided, please continue to the next verse
Crashed into sorrow
I experienced deep sadness and emotional pain
Woke up...
I eventually realized the reality of the situation
Contributed by Evan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.