Waxahatchee, named after Waxahatchee Creek in Alabama where Crutchfield grew up, began in 2010 during the breakup of P.S. Eliot. Crutchfield released her first music as Waxahatchee as a split cassette with Chris Clavin on Plan-It-X Records. Her bedroom-recorded debut album, American Weekend, was released on Don Giovanni Records in 2012.
On June 11, 2012 "Be Good" was the song of the day on NPR as well as one of the best 50 songs of 2012. Her debut album, "American Weekend," was named a top album of 2012 by Dusted magazine.
Subsequent albums include Cerulean Salt (2013), Ivy Tripp (2015), Out in the Storm (2017), Saint Cloud (2020), and the upcoming Tigers Blood (out March 22, 2024)
Bonfire
Waxahatchee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Losing me over the head on it
You splatter your logic like
I came here to see the first day of your life
The speed of light fixates on you
Moving through time, a failing pursuit
Give off a spark, you light up the room
You got your heart broken Now
You unfold it when you're falling down
You tell me she was boring you
She keep ticking behind glass walls, good as new
The speed of light's over your head
Moving through night, faces you'll forget
You ask a lot, she said go ahead
He said go ahead
I say go ahead
The lyrics of Waxahatchee's song "Bonfire" are full of complex emotions and references to the passage of time. The opening lines seem to be sung to a person who is fixated on some idea or goal that is causing them to lose sight of what is important. The singer is trying to get them to see that they are at a point of new beginnings, but the other person's logic is clouding their judgment. These lines appear to speak to the broader theme of the song, which is that the past is gone, and the future is uncertain, and that we must find ways to embrace the present moment and move forward.
The speed of light is a central metaphor in the song, representing the passage of time and how it creates distance between people as they move through life. Despite this, there is still potential for connection and for lighting up the world around us. In the second verse, the singer speaks to a person who is grappling with heartbreak and is struggling to move on. They speak to the importance of vulnerability and the need to let go of old wounds in order to move forward. Ultimately, the song ends on the note of "go ahead," urging listeners to take charge of their lives and to move forward with courage and conviction.
Line by Line Meaning
You got your mind set on it
You're determined to do it
Losing me over the head on it
You're willing to risk losing me because of it
You splatter your logic like
You're making a confusing mess of your reasoning
I came here to see the first day of your life
I thought I was witnessing a fresh start for you
The speed of light fixates on you
You're in the spotlight and everyone's attention is on you
Moving through time, a failing pursuit
Trying to keep up with everything is impossible
Give off a spark, you light up the room
Your charisma shines bright and affects those around you
You got your heart broken Now
You've been hurt before
You unfold it when you're falling down
You open up about your feelings when you're vulnerable
You tell me she was boring you
You complain about how uninteresting she was
She keep ticking behind glass walls, good as new
She's keeping herself together and looking fine, despite any pain she's feeling
The speed of light's over your head
You're missing the point or not fully understanding the situation
Moving through night, faces you'll forget
As time passes, the people you've encountered will fade from your memory
You ask a lot, she said go ahead
You make big requests, but others encourage you to do what you need to do
He said go ahead
Another person agrees with you and supports your decision
I say go ahead
Even I am willing to encourage you to proceed with your plans
Writer(s): Kathryn Crutchfield
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.