Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
For You
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaking is part of the bone
My heart will beat against yours
Making sure we never turn into stone
The lyrics to tUnE-yArDs' "For You" speak to the concept of deep, unconditional love, and the unbreakable bonds that can form between two people. The opening line "I'll never leave you alone" speaks to the idea that this love is eternal and unwavering, that no matter what happens, the singer will always be there for the person they love. The following line, "Breaking is part of the bone", suggests that pain, hardship, and difficulty are an inevitable part of life, but even in these moments of struggle, the love between these two people will remain intact.
The next two lines, "My heart will beat against yours / Making sure we never turn into stone", are particularly striking. Here, the singer is using language that suggests a sense of physical intimacy, but it's also clear that this is a metaphor for the emotional closeness and connection between these two people. By "beating" in time with one another, they can avoid becoming emotionally "stone-like" and disconnected - their bond will remain strong and vital no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never leave you alone
I promise to always be there for you and support you through everything, no matter what happens.
Breaking is part of the bone
We will face challenges and difficult times, but they are a natural part of life and will only make us stronger.
My heart will beat against yours
Our love and connection is so strong that our hearts will beat in sync and we will always be united.
Making sure we never turn into stone
We will continue to grow and evolve together, rather than becoming stagnant and unchanging like stone.
Contributed by Hudson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@deeliciousplum
Wonderful song... lots lots. I find that after listen to Merrill Garbus's voice, which is quite quirky, eclectic and refreshing... after listening to one of her songs, I always feel like I just finished playing and exploring with friends and passers-by.
@ItsDefinatlyAlex
that melody she sings is entoxicating
@clubshayshayoriginal
Tune-Yards... So dope!!!...
@seanb1573
love this song heard it on 'ross nobles freewheling' and loved it ever since
@andycoombes
Perfection.....makes me smile.....
@alberts1985
some good blue dream
@joshtheburnout
Bwuebewwies.
@georgewashington8338
for me :)
@kmacmuzikmafia27
@CHAPOSAAA Blueberries.
@karenphillips-hinds6959
Anyone knows and can share the tabs for guitar on this? Can only find for the ukelele tab. Greatly appreciated!!