Young graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and began her career by posting videos of herself playing music in 2009. In 2014, Young released an EP titled Acoustics EP and further expanded her discography with the release of a split EP with Natalie Evans in 2015. In June 2017, Young released a second EP entitled Acoustics EP 2.
Young also creates unique illustration and art pieces, including work on some of her own guitars. One of her paintings serves as the cover for her band's album Technicolor, released in June 2020.
As of 2019, Young plays two Ibanez Talman Prestige guitars with Seymour Duncan Five-Two single-coil pickups and custom sparkle finishes, and a 7-string, fanned-fret Strandberg that she has painted.
Young plays through Vox AC amps. Her touring amp is an AC30.
During NAMM 2020, Ibanez announced her signature model, the YY10, a Strat-style Talman.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/yveyoung, www.youtube.com/user/yiangy or http://yvetteyoung.bandcamp.com
Mermaid
Yvette Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw clouds, I heard waves.
When you looked me in the eyes, you promised me that we were free.
I was a mess, I stayed calm.
Choking, I'm choking.
Choking, I'm choking.
I come to the sea to think.
I come to the sea to breathe.
I come to the sea to breathe.
I come to the sea to think.
I come to the sea to breathe.
I come to the sea to think.
I come to the sea to breathe.
When I come home to his hands round my neck, I'm a whore.
I'm a liar.
I'm you, I'm nothing.
I'm you, I'm nothing.
I sink into the floor of my room, bloodied bruised and far away from you.
But I'm still happy, I'm still dreaming of the sea.
The first verse of Yvette Young's song, 'Mermaid,' speaks about a moment in the past when the singer last felt love. She describes it as a time when the sun had a halo around her lover's head, and the clouds and waves were visible. When her lover looked into her eyes, they promised her freedom. Although the singer was a mess, she stayed calm. However, she then goes on to say she's choking, repeating those two lines twice. This is most likely because the relationship is suffocating her, and there's a sense of helplessness in the singer's words.
The rest of the song switches to the present tense, where the singer talks about how she comes to the sea to think and breathe. The sea is a symbol of freedom, evolution, and change. When she returns home, though, and when she's in her partner's hands, she is nothing but a whore and a liar. To the singer, she's not even herself; she's become her partner, and she's nothing. She feels like she's sinking into the floor, bruised and wounded, far away from her past love. Still, she says that despite all this, she's still happy and dreaming of the sea.
Overall, the song seems to be about a toxic relationship that's suffocating the singer. She feels trapped and helpless, with only the memory of a past love and the metaphorical sea giving her some hope and freedom. It speaks to the experience and pain of being in a relationship where you feel like you're drowning and suffocating under someone's control.
Line by Line Meaning
The last time I felt love, the sun was a halo around your head.
My last love was bright and hopeful, and I associate it with memories of the sun surrounding your head like a halo.
I saw clouds, I heard waves.
I remember the sounds and sights of the ocean, like the gentle waves and the clouds in the sky.
When you looked me in the eyes, you promised me that we were free.
I remember how you once looked at me with such love and hope, and promised me that we were free to be together as we wished.
I was a mess, I stayed calm.
Despite all the chaos in my life, I kept my composure and remained calm.
Choking, I'm choking.
I feel like I'm suffocating, like I can't breathe and I'm struggling to get air.
I come to the sea to think.
The ocean is a place where I can quiet my mind and think about the things that are bothering me.
I come to the sea to breathe.
The ocean is a place where I can breathe in the fresh salt air and feel a sense of renewal.
When I come home to his hands round my neck, I'm a whore.
When I'm back with the man who treats me so badly, I feel like I'm worthless and cheap.
I'm a liar.
I feel like I'm constantly lying to myself about the situation I'm in and the way I feel.
I'm you, I'm nothing.
I feel like I'm becoming more like you, and I hate that I'm losing myself in the process.
I sink into the floor of my room, bloodied bruised and far away from you.
I feel like I'm trapped and hurt, and I'm trying to escape from the pain that you've caused me.
But I'm still happy, I'm still dreaming of the sea.
Despite everything, I still find happiness and solace in dreaming about the ocean and what it represents to me.
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@olivesloan
The occasional birds chirping in the background just adds to the mystical magic-ness that is this song .-.
@luisvangrieken2656
Thanks for this song Yvette, I needed this song in this moment of my life, maybe you'll never read this but thank you
@jacobwaters5955
The lyrics nearing the end make me feel anxiety and frustration. But this is beautiful the way it is played and the singing. Its encouraging too. I love this and its surely going on a playlist. Probably on my "feels" playlist. Thx for making amazing music over the years artist. :)
@snozer6966
I dream of reaching the musical ability to play like this consistently
@Pat54guitares_Uku
Amazing and beautiful acoustic.
@GustavEkky
It's like i'm diving into sea while i enjoy this song
@Frances3654
Lovely! I love how your songs have this melancholic sound to them. It really speaks to my heart!
@michaelmaier7262
Wow. The way you move all over the fingerboard on this one just blows my mind.
@dillonschultz
I've already listened to this at least 10 times
@yvetteyoungmusic
wow! haha that's more times than I've listened to it ;p I'm flattered!!