Bird was apparently two years old when she got her first guitar. From age 11 she has been involved in diverse projects, musically and otherwise, having written soundtracks to and acted in short films and plays. Bird has been gigging on the Irish music circuit since the age of 17, playing a catalogue of gigs from tiny, smokie, dim-lit bars to big bright festivals; all building up her reputation as a confident performer with songs written in many styles ranging from folk to rock to jazz to contemporary.
At the age of 1, Bird had an accident which cut all her fingers from her left hand. From this, she then began to start over with her guitar playing at the age of 4, but this time she learned to do it the way she is noted for now...a right hand guitar played upside down: "Nobody ever showed me how to play the guitar properly! So I just kept going with it and developed my own style. I only have 4 fingers, but I feel like it is my special "mojo" so I'm very proud of it!"
She began to play with various bands and groups before going solo. Through music college in Ballyfermot "rock School" in Dublin, Ireland, she was given the chance to attend a European music workshop in 2005 that was to change her life: "When I got to Hammelburg in Germany, where the European music workshop was, I thought that it was going to be a week of drinking and maybe a little music, I never expected it to turn out the way it did!"
"I was assigned a band and we were thrown in at the deep end to get as many songs together as possible to perform a concert at the end of the week. So it was a total shock for me, I had never worked so hard and so intensely, but it made me open my eyes to the possibility of my music, I had never heard it being played that way, so I just knew that the feeling in my heart was right - I wanted to follow this band. I felt right from the start, so now I'm living together with the band in Germany to be close , and I have no regrets."
So far things have been going upwards, and the feeling is right which is evident in the music Wallis plays to this day, it is more mature, and sure of its direction. Definitely a sign that you should follow your heart, even if it means moving to a different country and leaving Ireland, the country she loves!!!
"I just got up and went, I knew I really like the guys, we instantly had a great connection and they felt strongly about the music, so I knew that I couldn't just let this chance pass, otherwise I would always be wondering ...but now I'm wondering "what next? It's the most exciting time of my life!"
Slow Down
Wallis Bird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She didn't have much goin' on but she sang with all her might
Then one day there came a lover that kissed her right on her heart
That's when it happened... her life began to start
She found herself some music and things would slowly change
Am I ignoring now, the things I can't arrange?
Then one day that same lover made her heart stop
Slow down the evening's just begun
As we dance under the setting sun
In the daylight we never have much fun
So let's dance and celebrate the morning sun
Once there were decisions and minutes that made
And I'm caught in the middle, I'm empty as a wave
Everyone is leavin' and soon there will be just me
And if I have this freedom it doesn't mean I'm free
She said
Slow down the evening's just begun
As we dance under the setting sun
In the daylight we never have much fun
So let's dance and celebrate the morning sun
Slow down the evening's just begun
As we dance under the setting sun
In the daylight we never have much fun
So let's dance
and celebrate the morning sun
The lyrics of Wallis Bird's song "Slow Down" tell the story of a small girl who found joy in singing about her life, and how things changed when she found love. The opening lines reveal that the girl had a simple life, but her love for singing was evident as she sang with all her might. However, everything changed when she met someone who kissed her heart right, and she found music, and her life slowly began to change. As the girl muses over her life, she wonders if she's ignoring the things she can't arrange, and she reflects on how only the right lover can kiss a person in the right spot to make their heart stop.
The chorus encapsulates the message of the song, as the singer urges the listener to slow down as the evening is just beginning, and to dance and celebrate the morning sun. The song urges the listener to enjoy life's little moments and not to hurry through life, as there is joy to be found in taking things slow and savoring each moment.
Overall, "Slow Down" is a song that encourages the listener to slow down and enjoy life's little moments. The lyrics are written in a poetic tone that speaks to the heart, and the simple yet effective melody of the song perfectly matches the message of the song. This is a song that encourages one to take a step back and appreciate life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a small girl who sang about her life
There was a young girl who would sing about her life
She didn't have much goin' on but she sang with all her might
Although she didn't have a lot in her life, she put all her passion into her music
Then one day there came a lover that kissed her right on her heart
Eventually, she met someone who deeply touched her heart
That's when it happened... her life began to start
This person was the catalyst for her life to truly begin
She found herself some music and things would slowly change
Through music, she discovered a new path in life
Am I ignoring now, the things I can't arrange?
She questions whether she is neglecting the things that are out of her control
Then one day that same lover made her heart stop
Her love for this person was so intense that it overwhelmed her
I guess there's only one lover can kiss you right on that spot
She believes that finding someone who can touch your heart in that way is rare
Slow down the evening's just begun
Take a moment to appreciate the present moment
As we dance under the setting sun
Enjoy the beauty of the sunset while dancing
In the daylight we never have much fun
During the busy daytime, we're often too caught up in our responsibilities to enjoy ourselves
So let's dance and celebrate the morning sun
Instead, we should celebrate the start of a new day by dancing and having fun
Once there were decisions and minutes that made
There used to be a lot of choices and events that filled her time
And I'm caught in the middle, I'm empty as a wave
Now, she's feeling lost and unsure of her direction in life
Everyone is leavin' and soon there will be just me
People in her life are moving on, leaving her feeling alone
And if I have this freedom it doesn't mean I'm free
Even though she has freedom, it doesn't necessarily mean she feels free
So let's dance and celebrate the morning sun
Despite these feelings, she chooses to focus on enjoying life and celebrating each day
Slow down the evening's just begun
Take a moment to appreciate the present moment
As we dance under the setting sun
Enjoy the beauty of the sunset while dancing
In the daylight we never have much fun
During the busy daytime, we're often too caught up in our responsibilities to enjoy ourselves
So let's dance
She encourages us to dance and have fun regardless of our circumstances
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter Heading
Just another great composition from someone with pure creativity.......I'm addicted!!