Yeasayer released their second studio album, Odd Blood, in February 2010, featuring more pop music influences than earlier work. The band revealed that the album came out of a massive acid trip in New Zealand. Peter Gabriel’s drummer Jerry Marotta helped to record Odd Blood in an upstate New York studio packed with rare synths and percussion instruments from around the globe to create the characteristic worldbeat sound of the album.
Yeasayer released their third studio album, Fragrant World, in August 2012. According to the Fingers Never Bleed Songfacts, it was named after a track that didn't make the new album's final cut.
Yeasayer officially announced its dissolution on December 19, 2019.
Henrietta
Yeasayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you would survive, just like nobody does.
? turning red, light cold on the bed,
And now ? out, there's not the end.
You are a bound, we're shopping our tea
For magnificent drum, ?
You're making them rich, they throw you away
? too weak, and darkens the speech
The walls are ? high ? love and sacrifice
[Repeat: x5]
Oh, Henrietta, we can live on forever
Oh, Henrietta, we can live on forever
The song "Henrietta" by Yeasayer is a reflection on fame, the music industry, and the sacrifices one has to make to achieve success. The opening lines of "A pair in the night, and the troubles come on, But you would survive, just like nobody does" indicate a sense of isolation that comes with fame. The lyrics suggest that even though someone might be surrounded by people, they can still feel alone. The chorus "Oh, Henrietta, we can live on forever" repeats the name and suggests that the person's name has become more significant than the person themselves, and in many ways, they will continue to exist long after they're gone.
The second verse talks specifically about the music industry and the idea that musicians are often used by their record labels, making them rich before being discarded. The line "You're making them rich, they throw you away The magic is gone, but you're here to stay" suggests that the artist's work might be excellent, but once they've served their purpose, they're no longer of value to the industry. The song's bridge "Darkens the speech, The walls are? high,? love and sacrifice" lyrically touches on the struggles that come with fame, where an individual may feel trapped by the walls they've built around themselves or the expectations that people have of them.
Line by Line Meaning
A pair in the night, and the troubles come on,
Two people face their troubles at night.
But you would survive, just like nobody does.
Although life is difficult, you will find a way to get through it.
? turning red, light cold on the bed,
Something is happening that is causing a reaction that is both physical and emotional.
And now ? out, there's not the end.
The situation may seem bleak, but it is not the end.
You are a bound, we're shopping our tea
Someone is confined and limited while others have more freedom.
For magnificent drum, ?
There is a desire for something grand and impressive.
You're making them rich, they throw you away
You are used by others for their own gain and then discarded.
The magic is gone, but you're here to stay.
Although the excitement may have faded, you are still around.
? too weak, and darkens the speech
There is a sense of weakness that affects communication.
The walls are ? high ? love and sacrifice
There are obstacles to achieving love and making sacrifices.
Oh, Henrietta, we can live on forever
The singer suggests that they can live on forever, perhaps through their legacy.
Oh, Henrietta, we can live on forever
The artist reiterates that they can live on forever.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anand Mathew Wilder, Christopher E Keating
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rachael Waters
Fever in the night, and the tremors come on
But it's you who'll survive, just like nobody thought
Nails turnin' red, lying cold on the bed
And now it turns out, death's not the end
She was a bone, we sharpened our teeth
A magnificent drone, was serving under our feet
You'll make a man rich, he'll throw you away
And after he's gone, oh HeLa's here to stay
Radiation makes you weak, tired okays leave your speech
The world owes more than they'll pay, in the wind I heard them say...
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
Ohh Henrietta, we can live on forever
**I claim no ownership to the lyrics, the video, the song, etc.
Emily Humphreys
Thank you Henrietta Lacks for contributing to yet more greatness in the world. First fighting cancer, second a Yeasayer album.
Emily Kim Martin
The last half of this song is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard in my entire life. I've been hooked since the first time I came across it in 2014.
BLiTz5
Still bummed these guys decided to move on! So many good songs and this one (especially the intro) is so damn catchy. Good luck to you all in the future. Great musicians and one of the few bands that sounds almost better live!
GeoGecko
Absolutely, I was really sad the first time I heard it, though. But I think sometimes it's best to look forward and move on. And they achieved so much with their music.
Also do you know by any chance what Chris Keating is doing now? I've heard Anand Wilder has dropped a single this year and is going to release a solo debut called "Delirium Passes" next year. But I haven't heard any news from the other past members of Yeasayer.
chaosmos24
That bass at the end. Sublime. The last minute of this song is painfully beautiful.
Wilo Polis
Just now relatively recently discovering Yeasayer after listening to Ambling Alp growing up and damn, they're exactly my sound. So good
Chris Flaherty
Check out bear in heaven too
Yacine Mahdid
It's crazy that Henrietta cells are still living on to this day, scattered around researchers lab throughout the world.
ШƠƦᒺd
Is that what fans are called in this band? If it is call me one!
_7 __7
@ШƠƦᒺd "Henrietta" refers to Henrietta Lacks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks