Wasner and Stack have been playing music together and apart in Baltimore, MD, and chose their name from the honorary state tree of Maryland. If Children is the culmination of many months of recording, polishing and perfecting to achieve what Any Given Tuesday best described as, “. .. . mingling in a room full of shoegaze, alt-country, folk, and noise, shaking hands, kissing cheeks, and making friends with everyone.” If Children is an exuberant debut – noisy and restrained in turn, Wye Oak describe their philosophy: "We'd like to think that if a song is good enough, it'll stand on its own regardless of how much noise you pile on top. On the other hand, we do like noise." Listen, and we think you will have to agree!
The droll tone and fleeting sweetness of a Yo La Tengo are cut into the more deeply textural concerns of shoegaze in the Baltimore group's work. It's an interesting alignment, given the contrast in senses of humor. But Wye Oak successfully shed tonnage from the latter without losing potency.
05. Family Glue
Wye Oak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving a legacy of tell-me-to
Behavior made of lead
I eat and I'm fed
Never use your hands
Our blood has given into it
Save the holidays for me
I press my hand in the dirt
And ruin your hard work
But new clothes are for me alone
I always recognize your clothes
So I am family glue
Leaving a legacy of tell-me-to
Behavior made of care
This is not my somewhere
The song "Family Glue" by Wye Oak is a complex exploration of the dynamics of family relationships, with a particular focus on the singer's role as "family glue." The opening lines introduce the idea of the singer as a stabilizing force within the family, someone who holds things together and keeps everyone on track. However, this role is not necessarily a positive one - the singer's behavior is characterized as being "made of lead," suggesting heaviness and a burden.
The second verse takes a darker turn, with the singer describing a family environment in which violence may be present. The line "never use your hands" could be read as a command to avoid physical violence, or as a reflection on the fact that such violence has already occurred. Despite this, the family members remain bound together by their shared blood, which has "given into it" - perhaps implying a kind of resigned acceptance of the cycle of violence.
Later in the song, the singer reveals that there are tensions between them and their family members, and that they are not entirely comfortable with the role of "family glue." This is expressed through the line "this is not my somewhere," which suggests a sense of dislocation or alienation from their surroundings. Overall, the lyrics of "Family Glue" are complex and multifaceted, presenting a nuanced picture of the challenges and contradictions of family life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am family glue
I am the one who holds the family together.
Leaving a legacy of tell-me-to
I pass on the tradition of doing as you are told to future generations.
Behavior made of lead
My actions are heavy and unchanging, like the element lead.
I eat and I'm fed
I rely on my family to provide for me, and in turn, I contribute to their unity.
Never use your hands
Avoid physical violence or aggression within the family.
Our blood has given into it
Our familial bonds have allowed us to submit to certain patterns or behaviors in order to maintain harmony.
Save the holidays for me
I cherish the moments when the family comes together to celebrate special occasions.
Dress as love for Halloween
Even on a holiday that celebrates fear and darkness, I choose to embody love and warmth.
I press my hand in the dirt
I leave my mark on the earth, symbolically representing my place within the family.
And ruin your hard work
My actions may unintentionally sabotage the efforts of others, but I am still valued and necessary within the family.
But new clothes are for me alone
While my behavior may be set, I still strive to maintain a sense of individuality and personal identity.
I always recognize your clothes
Even though we may dress similarly, I can still distinguish each family member as unique and important.
So I am family glue
I reaffirm my role as the stabilizing force within the family.
Leaving a legacy of tell-me-to
My legacy is rooted in the adherence to a certain set of family values and customs.
Behavior made of care
My actions are motivated by a deep sense of love and responsibility towards my family.
This is not my somewhere
Despite my commitment to family, I know there is still a sense of longing for something more, a place or purpose outside of this familial bubble.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JENNIFER LYNN WASNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miguel Angel
Come to México again ♥
Natasha T. Tylea
hey there! great video, thanks for recording this! do you think you could mention Adam Cooke and Natasha Tylea as the people doing sound and lights? thanks!
Jonathan Molzan
Great job Adam and Natasha
Nicky Smith
sure!