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.
The Children
Yeasayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've avoided doing things I know I can
But if I learned one thing, the tattoo on my arm will burn into my thumb
It would be that
You must stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Stick up for yourself, son
Stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Now Old Man Schmelling was a formidable foe
But Ambling Alp was, too, at least that's what I'm told
But if you learn one thing, you've learned it well
Until you must get past yourself
They'll run but they can't hide
You must stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
And when those thunder clouds are crying in the skies, in the skies
And when those fireflies keep shining in your eyes, in your eyes
Keep your mind for the time, with your ass on the line
Keep your feet, feet sliding to the side, to the side
Now, the world can be an unfair place at times
But your lows will have their complement of highs
And if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of, or beat you
Raise your head and wear your wounds with pride
You must stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
Stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
The song "The Children" by Yeasayer is a message from a father to his son. The father acknowledges that he hasn't been a perfect man, but he imparts a valuable piece of advice to his son: to always stick up for himself. The father believes that it doesn't matter what anyone else has done, his son must be his own advocate. The father uses the tattoo on his arm as a reminder of this lesson.
The song also references Old Man Schmelling, who was a formidable foe, and Ambling Alp who was also tough. The father tells his son that he must get past himself to succeed, and once he does, his opponents will be unable to defeat him. The father reinforces his earlier advice, telling his son to stick up for himself and never mind what anyone else has done.
The song ends on a positive note, promising the son that even though the world can be unfair, there will be highs to complement his lows. If anyone tries to take advantage of him, the father advises his son to rise above it and wear his wounds with pride. The message of the song is to encourage the son to have confidence in himself and to never let anyone else bring him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Now kid, I know I haven't been a perfect man
I acknowledge that I have made mistakes and am not perfect
And I've avoided doing things I know I can
I have avoided doing things that I am capable of doing
But if I learned one thing, the tattoo on my arm will burn into my thumb
If there's one thing I've learned, it's important enough to remember forever
It would be that
It is the following advice
You must stick up for yourself, son
Always defend yourself
Never mind what anybody else done
Don't worry about what others have done
Now Old Man Schmelling was a formidable foe
There was a formidable opponent known as Old Man Schmelling
But Ambling Alp was, too, at least that's what I'm told
Ambling Alp was also formidable, or so I've heard
But if you learn one thing, you've learned it well
If you only learn one thing, this should be it
Until you must get past yourself
Overcoming yourself is necessary
They'll run but they can't hide
Your opponents may try to avoid you, but you will ultimately catch up to them
And when those thunder clouds are crying in the skies, in the skies
During times of sadness or hardship
And when those fireflies keep shining in your eyes, in your eyes
During times of happiness or success
Keep your mind for the time, with your ass on the line
Stay focused and alert, even when things are on the line
Keep your feet, feet sliding to the side, to the side
Be nimble and adapt to changing circumstances
Now, the world can be an unfair place at times
The world is not always just or fair
But your lows will have their complement of highs
Low points will be balanced out by high points
And if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of, or beat you
If someone mistreats you
Raise your head and wear your wounds with pride
Remain confident and don't be ashamed of the injuries you've sustained
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anand Mathew Wilder, Christopher E Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john hatchell
We are children
and we'll give you trouble
if we don't like what you're doing
and we think that it is wrong.
Now we're satisfied,
but when we're not...
We are taking lives
and making drones.
The world that came from us,
it makes the child.
da da da da da
da da da da da.
We are children,
not the youth,
not kids.
It's not time to pretend,
my friend,
this might just be the end.
Shadow life that sits outside your door
We live inside your walls
and leak through floors.
The world that came from us,
it makes the child.
da da da da da
da da da da da.
ШƠƦᒺd
Honestly, I wish the whole album was like this
Jason KH
This is a serious contender for best album opener of all time for me, it goes balls deep in every respect, sonically, lyrically, contextually, just savage!
Wilo Polis
It really sets the tone for the album too, they went from lower production neo-psychedelia on their first album, to more textured, experimental/psychedelic pop here
Jason KH
@Wilo Polis True, but this first song is just so much darker and unsettling vs the more playful tone of the rest of the album, I love the contrast. Fragrant World is still the best Yeasayer record for my money tho 👍
iz anami
Instrumental de folie
Wilo Polis
Yeasayer, MGMT, and Tame Impala, the trinity
Manly O'Beeferton
YYYES! The Children; Of Moons, Birds and Monsters; The Less I Know The Better. All monstrously funky.
I'd also add Foxtrott's Shaky Hands and Radiohead's Bodysnatchers.
john hatchell
We are children
and we'll give you trouble
if we don't like what you're doing
and we think that it is wrong.
Now we're satisfied,
but when we're not...
We are taking lives
and making drones.
The world that came from us,
it makes the child.
da da da da da
da da da da da.
We are children,
not the youth,
not kids.
It's not time to pretend,
my friend,
this might just be the end.
Shadow life that sits outside your door
We live inside your walls
and leak through floors.
The world that came from us,
it makes the child.
da da da da da
da da da da da.
Keegan McVey
It's not "time" to pretend. I believe this was the line here.
WaySilentBob 69
This should be the default setting for children. This is how we evolve. Awesomeness