"...a songwriting, accordion playing, harmony singing, storytelling,
hand drumming, banjo strumming, soul stirring,
two woman tour-de-force."
With award-winning songwriting and musicianship, Wishing Chair, "never fails to create that exhilarating sense one gets when great melodies, strong harmonies, and superb execution come together," says The Performing Songwriter Magazine. The 6th CD and latest offering from this roots/folk duo is no exception. Produced by Grammy nominated producer Mark Hallman, Underdog is "folk to the core," (Lexington Herald-Leader) delivering a rich collection of stories and clear-eyed diatribes, outlaw weddings, love songs, and an anti-Bush circus for good measure.
Since 1995, the folk and soul partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood has become well regarded for their engaging performances, passionate activism, stirring harmonies and award winning songs. With any subject being fair game, they have earned high honors from Kerrville (Political Songwriting Finalist 2003), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist Finalist 2002), Outmusic (double Winner 2003, Finalist 2004) to The South Florida Folk Festival (double Winner 2003).
Throughout the U.S and Canada, they have won over audiences and presenters alike performing in venues ranging from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and Club Passim in Cambridge, and at festivals including the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Clearwater Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Oz
Wishing Chair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kiya Heartwood
©2005
Here I am
Without a blindfold
My back against the wall
There you are
You could stumble
You could fall
Here we are
In the lifeboat
We've got one oar between
Your guess is as good as mine though
I have to tell you
Nothing's as it seems
We keep looking for the man behind the curtain
No one's standing there
Just you and me
Where we're going
I can tell you I'm not certain
All I can see
Is all the possibilities
In this dream
I'm talking to my father
Divine inspiration
A long distance call
"Swing away kid. Just you remember….
With two strikes down, keep your eye on the ball."
Maybe we should play the tragic heroes,
Like the Werewolf or Wolverine
Is it fate or an accident we're different
Can someone please explain
Why this keeps happening
To me
Laying in the grass
On a blanket doing nothing
Got our ice tea
Dirt between our toes
Jump a boxcar
Or a house in a tornado
Gonna ride it
As far as it will go
We keep looking for
The man behind the curtain
No one's standing there
Just you and me
Where we're going
I can tell you I'm not certain
All I can see, is all the possibilities
In the song Oz by Wishing Chair, Kiya Heartwood sings about the uncertain journey of life. It starts with her stating that she is without a blindfold with her back against the wall, while someone she knows is on a tightrope and could stumble or fall anytime. In the midst of it all, they are both in a lifeboat with just one oar to share between them. As they go through life's ups and downs, they keep looking for the man behind the curtain, but no one's there except them.
Kiya reminisces about talking to her father in a dream, who gives her divine inspiration and wise advice to keep her focus and not give up. She then questions why their lives are different and often subject to accidents or fate. The song hints at the question of fate and free will: are they truly making choices or just following a predetermined path?
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the idea that they don't know where they are going, but all they see are possibilities. This open-ended statement could be interpreted in different ways, either positively as an exciting journey or negatively as a hopeless wandering.
Overall, Oz is a contemplative song that makes you ponder about life's uncertainties and possibilities. The lyrics are crafted in a way that evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler life, free from anxiety and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am
I am present and aware.
Without a blindfold
I am not blind to reality.
My back against the wall
I'm feeling vulnerable and defensive.
There you are
You are present.
On the tightrope
You are taking risks.
You could stumble
You are uncertain.
You could fall
You could fail.
Here we are
We are together in this situation.
In the lifeboat
We are trying to stay afloat.
We've got one oar between
We are limited in our resources.
Your guess is as good as mine though
We are equally uncertain about our next move.
I have to tell you
I need to express something to you.
Nothing's as it seems
Things are not always what they appear to be.
We keep looking for the man behind the curtain
We seek truth behind illusion.
No one's standing there
There isn't always an explanation to be found.
Just you and me
We are all we have.
Where we're going
Our future is uncertain.
I can tell you I'm not certain
I am aware of my lack of certainty.
All I can see
I am aware of what's in front of me.
Is all the possibilities
Anything could happen.
In this dream
I am in a fantasy.
I'm talking to my father
I am seeking guidance from a higher authority.
Divine inspiration
I am receiving inspiration from a divine source.
A long distance call
I am communicating across a great distance.
"Swing away kid. Just you remember….
My father is giving me advice.
With two strikes down, keep your eye on the ball."
I should remain focused even when things are difficult.
Maybe we should play the tragic heroes,
We should embrace our struggles and hardships.
Like the Werewolf or Wolverine
We can become stronger through adversity.
Is it fate or an accident we're different
We wonder if our differences are predetermined or random.
Can someone please explain
We are seeking understanding.
Why this keeps happening
We are questioning why we keep experiencing certain events.
To me
We are experiencing these events personally.
Laying in the grass
We are in a relaxed state.
On a blanket doing nothing
We are taking a break from life's demands.
Got our ice tea
We have a refreshing beverage.
Dirt between our toes
We are enjoying the simple things in life.
Jump a boxcar
We are taking impulsive action.
Or a house in a tornado
We are willing to take risks.
Gonna ride it
We are going along with the flow.
As far as it will go
We are willing to see where things take us.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don.
The song was recorded ny Martin Cathy in 1976