Villagers are an Irish band from Dublin fronted by Conor J. O'Brien.
The… Read Full Bio ↴Villagers are an Irish band from Dublin fronted by Conor J. O'Brien.
They have performed at several music festivals and toured with Tracy Chapman, Bell X1 and Tindersticks. They have one EP, titled Hollow Kind (2009). Their debut album Becoming a Jackal was released in 2010 and was shortlisted for that year's Mercury Prize and their second album {Awayland} was released in 2013.

Conor O'Brien formed Villagers after the break-up of his previous band The Immediate. The very next day, O'Brien wrote the first song after waking up with a hangover. O'Brien's time as a guitarist in Cathy Davey's band was also critical to the development of his style as he had never before performed alongside anyone outside of The Immediate. Villagers gave their first live performance as a support act with The Chapters at a show in Whelan's in November 2008. At that point the band had previously only rehearsed together on two occasions. They had only seven songs, written by O'Brien and passed on to the rest of the band to learn.

Villagers performed on the seventh series of RTÉ Two's Other Voices television programme in 2009. The band's debut EP, titled Hollow Kind, was released in February 2009. It contained four tracks, all of which were written by O'Brien and performed by him too. The EP brought comparisons with Bright Eyes and Sparklehorse. Villagers then went on tour. They were a support act for Neil Young and toured across Europe with Tracy Chapman.

Villagers appeared at several festivals in 2009. They supported Bell X1 when they performed at Live at the Marquee in Cork on June 26, 2009. They performed at several music festivals in Ireland, including on the Sunday of Oxegen 2009, at Indie-pendence on August 2 and at Electric Picnic 2009, as well as at Latitude Festival in the UK. The Irish Times's Jim Carroll recommended their performance in the Body Soul Arena at Electric Picnic 2009 as "A must-see for those who dig ragged pop, eerie folk and heartfelt, emotional songs and sounds". They headlined Hard Working Class Heroes in 2009, with O'Brien attracting the ire of the audience when he requested some quiet during the performance. They gave a live performance at The Music Show in Dublin's RDS in October 2009.

The debut single of Villagers was "On a Sunlit Stage" and was released in October 2009.
On January 15, 2010, Villagers represented Ireland at the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, the Netherlands. They were involved in efforts to raise funds in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. They embarked on a tour with Tindersticks in March 2010 and released the single "Becoming a Jackal" on April 17, 2010. A debut album Becoming a Jackal was released in Ireland on 14 May 2010, with a UK release in May and a US release due on 8 June 2010. The album immediately went to number one on both the Irish Albums Chart and the Irish Indie Albums Chart. It proceeded to continuously top the indie chart.

Said by Conor J. O’Brien himself:
- “Ultimately, I’ve learned that a song is not an isolated thing. You have to wash the dishes before you write a song. It should never be taken too seriously. It must be treated with joy and humour, regardless of the subject matter,” muses Conor, as he strokes his hairless chin.
- “The aim is to feel the songs out. If I don’t surprise myself, then it is a worthless endeavour. Indeed, I would apply this attitude to all aspects of this project. The songs are quite decisive, but I have no idea what I am doing, or where I am going.” Again, he strokes his chin, this time with a look of resigned confusion. “Once the songs took shape, I asked some friends of mine to help me play them to people. When they kindly agreed, I decided that we would present ourselves as ‘Villagers’ – I don’t really know why. I think I like the name because it doesn’t offend the songs.” With this, he puts his clothes back on and bids me farewell. On returning to my office, I slip on a banana peel and subsequently die.

Deep In My Heart
Villagers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Deep in my heart
I'm feeling the same
And deep in my heart
I'm feeling your moonshine soul remedy
In a goldmine of sweet memory
It's a free ride taking us back to the start
Deep in my heart

And deep in your core
You already know
And deep in your core
I drink in your moonshine soul remedy
In a goldmine of sweet memory
It's a free ride taking us back to the start
Deep in my heart

When tragedy brings us a melody
Your majesty hits like a dart
Deep in my heart
Deep in my heart

Moonshine soul remedy
In a goldmine of sweet memory
It's a free ride taking us back to the start
Deep in my heart

Moonshine soul remedy
In a goldmine of sweet memory
It's a free ride taking us back to the start
Deep in my heart

Moonshine soul remedy
In a goldmine of sweet memory

Overall Meaning

In "Deep In My Heart" by Villagers, the repetition of the phrase "Deep in my heart" sets the tone for a song that delves into the depths of emotions and connections. The singer expresses a sense of familiarity and recognition, as if the feelings they carry within them are timeless and enduring. This establishes a sense of continuity and connection that transcends time and space. The imagery of "your moonshine soul remedy" suggests a healing presence in the other person, like a soothing balm for the singer's emotional wounds. This reinforces the idea of finding solace and comfort in the intimate connection shared with another.

The reference to a "goldmine of sweet memory" evokes a sense of nostalgia and cherished moments that are treasured within the heart. These memories are depicted as valuable and precious, reinforcing the idea that the bond shared with the other person is something to be cherished and celebrated. The mention of a "free ride taking us back to the start" implies a journey of rediscovery and renewal, where past experiences and emotions are revisited and rekindled. This sense of cyclical movement suggests a journey of introspection and reflection that leads back to the core of one's emotions.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the other person, highlighting their inner knowing and understanding. The line "And deep in your core, you already know" suggests a mutual recognition and shared understanding between the singer and the object of their affection. The exchange of emotions is portrayed as reciprocal, with the singer acknowledging the healing presence of the other person's "moonshine soul remedy." This reciprocity strengthens the bond between them and emphasizes the interconnectedness of their souls.

As the song progresses, the idea of tragedy and loss is introduced, but it is met with resilience and strength. The mention of "tragedy brings us a melody" suggests finding beauty and meaning in difficult experiences, transforming pain into art. The reference to "your majesty hits like a dart" conveys the impact of the other person's presence, their influence striking deep within the singer's heart. Despite the challenges they face, the sense of connection and solace remains steadfast, echoing the enduring nature of their bond. The repetition of "Deep in my heart" throughout the song serves as a grounding refrain, anchoring the emotions and experiences shared between the singer and the other person.

Line by Line Meaning

Deep in my heart
My true feelings are buried deep within me

And deep in my heart
Even deeper within me

I'm feeling the same
My emotions are unchanged

I'm feeling your moonshine soul remedy
I am experiencing the healing power of your soul

In a goldmine of sweet memory
In a rich treasure trove of pleasant recollections

It's a free ride taking us back to the start
It is an effortless journey back to the beginning

And deep in your core
Even deeper within you

You already know
You are already aware

I drink in your moonshine soul remedy
I am absorbing the soothing essence of your spirit

When tragedy brings us a melody
In times of sorrow, music comforts us

Your majesty hits like a dart
Your greatness impacts me sharply