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.
Hey Life
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey life, I am still here
Hey life, I am calling your name
But all I hear is an echo
Unless your voice and mine sound the same
But hey life, I love you so much I scream and shout
But I'm one foot in, one foot out
Now I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, no
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I can never seem to focus on the task at hand
Ten times a day, I don't seem to understand
I've spent twelve thousand, nine hundred and forty four days alive
Amazing how a human being can still thrive
But I know my days are numbered
I should enjoy the climb
I like to smell the roses but I'm runnin' runnin
Out of the time
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, no
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, oh
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I woke up feeling albatrossy
Flossing my teeth
I look fine on the surface
But I'm worried about what's underneath
I woke up with a heartbeat
Like a panic attack
Yackity yackity yackity yackity yack
I can't tell my brain to not talk back
But hey life
Won't you push me around
Like a baby in a carousel
You pull me underground
Like a kid who is lost
Waiting to be found
One two three o'clock
Four o'clock
Walk and walk
And talk and talk
And walk and talk
And then five six seven
Seven seven
Heaven heaven
Take me again
[x4]
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, oh
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
The song "Hey Life" by tUnE-yArDs is about the struggle of being alive and trying to find your way. The chorus repetition of "Hey Life, I am still here" showcases the desperation of the singer to exist, but the lyrics portray an uphill battle. Through constant repetition of the phrase "running, running," the words indicate that life is constantly moving, and it's a challenge to keep up. The singer expresses their love for life but feels like they can't quite handle it. The song's lyrics showcase the singer's inner turmoil as they're pulled in multiple directions, and they feel out of control. In the end, the song carries a message of hope—an indomitable spirit in the face of life's constant challenges.
The song "Hey Life" has many interesting facts that are worth noting. One of tUnE-yArDs’ main musical influences is R&B music, which is evident in the percussion-heavy sound that's present in this track. The video for "Hey Life" showcases tUnE-yArDs' skill for blending different mediums. It's an intricate combination of colorful animation and real-life footage. The song is somewhat of a departure from the band's previous work. The band's usual surrealist vocal stylings are present, but the music has moved into an alt-pop direction.
The band tUnE-yArDs, on this track, incorporates a plethora of sounds and instruments, including bass guitar, synths, saxophones, and violins. The quirky instrumentation is present, but the group opted for a more polished sound on this track. The song was written in collaboration with Merrill Garbus (the lead singer of tUnE-yArDs’) partner Nate Brenner. The song was recorded in a single day in a friend's home studio in Oakland, California, giving the production an intimate feel. The move from traditional, politically charged themes that are typical of tUnE-yArDs' work is notable, showing that the group is not shy to experiment with different genres, themes, and emotions to create music that resonates with listeners.
Chords:
Verse: G, D, A
Chorus: Bm, D, G, A
Line by Line Meaning
Hey life, I am still here
I am still alive and present in this world
Hey life, I am calling your name
I am trying to connect with the essence of life
But all I hear is an echo
I don't get a response, just a repetition of my own voice
Unless your voice and mine sound the same
I am questioning my own identity in the context of life
But hey life, I love you so much I scream and shout
I am passionate about life and express it vocally
But I'm one foot in, one foot out
I have mixed feelings about immersing myself fully in life
Just kinda like running on a roundabout, you know
I feel like I'm going in circles and not making any progress
Now I don't wanna run out
I don't want to die or lose the opportunity to live fully
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I feel like I'm always in a hurry, chasing something
I don't know where to go
I am not sure what my purpose is or where I am headed
But I can't seem to go slowly, no
I have difficulty slowing down and taking things at a leisurely pace
Why do you keep me around?
I am questioning the meaning of my existence and why I am still alive
I can never seem to focus on the task at hand
I have difficulty staying present and attentive
Ten times a day, I don't seem to understand
I feel confused and ignorant much of the time
I've spent twelve thousand, nine hundred and forty four days alive
I have been alive for a long time and it is remarkable
Amazing how a human being can still thrive
It is amazing how resilient the human spirit can be
But I know my days are numbered
I am aware that I will eventually die
I should enjoy the climb
I should try to enjoy the journey of life, not just the destination
I like to smell the roses but I'm runnin' runnin'
I appreciate the small things in life, but still feel a sense of urgency
Out of the time
I feel like I am running out of time
Won't you push me around
I am asking life to guide me and push me in the right direction
Like a baby in a carousel
I want to feel safe and protected, like a child in a carousel ride
You pull me underground
I feel like life sometimes brings me down or challenges me
Like a kid who is lost
I feel vulnerable and unsure of myself, like a lost child
Waiting to be found
I am waiting for something or someone to guide me
One two three o'clock
I am counting the hours or the passing of time
Four o'clock
I am continuing to count the hours
Walk and walk
I am walking, moving forward
And talk and talk
I am communicating, reaching out to others
And then five six seven
I continue counting the hours
Seven seven
I repeat the number seven, perhaps because it has symbolic meaning
Heaven heaven
I am hoping for a glimpse of heaven or spiritual transcendence
Take me again
I want to experience something meaningful again
Why do you keep me around?
I am still questioning why I am alive or why life continues to present challenges
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus, Nathaniel J Brenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rosie Girl
Hey life, I am still here
Hey life, I am still here
Hey life, I am calling your name
But all I hear is an echo
Unless your voice and mine sound the same
But hey life, I love you so much I scream and shout
But I'm one foot in, one foot out
Just kinda like running on a roundabout, you know
Now I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, no
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I can never seem to focus on the task at hand
Ten times a day, I don't seem to understand
I've spent twelve thousand, nine hundred and forty four days alive
Amazing how a human being can still thrive
But I know my days are numbered
I should enjoy the climb
I like to smell the roses but I'm runnin' runnin
Out of the time
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, no
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, oh
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
I woke up feeling albatrossy
Flossing my teeth
I look fine on the surface
But I'm worried about what's underneath
I woke up with a heartbeat
Like a panic attack
Yackity yackity yackity yackity yack
I can't tell my brain to not talk back
But hey life
Won't you push me around
Like a baby in a carousel
You pull me underground
Like a kid who is lost
Waiting to be found
One two three o'clock
Four o'clock
Walk and walk
And talk and talk
And walk and talk
And then five six seven
Seven seven
Heaven heaven
Take me again
[x4]
I don't wanna run out
But I'm runnin' runnin'
I don't know where to go
But I can't seem to go slowly, oh
I don't wanna run out
So I'm runnin' runnin'
Hey hey hey hey life
Why do you keep me around?
robin bugs
her background singers/dancers are sooo good omg
Emmaloag
This music is full of LIFE
APBradley
I think I must have come back and watched this video 10 times. I kind of can't believe how tight this is.
misphotod
Right?? Same here.
John Hawkes
Brilliant! I love the vocals and the interesting percussion arangments.. Lets hope that we hear more from the tUnE-yArDs.. Would be great to see them live..
Soren Aleksander
so weird...their music pops into my head in the middle of the day for no apparent reason...I think it's the emphasis on percussion...they're fantastic, wish I could step out of my door and catch them in Manhattan or Brooklyn
Debra L
Always loved this song! The whole album in fact
Austin
Sounds way better live. Love this song.
James Gross
Heard this on 6Music a few weeks ago and I'm convinced it's the best pop song I've heard in decades.
Keith Williams
She doesn't really have a "Black" voice; she's just letting her "White" voice completely hang out in its own unique state of natural ease, like every great rock star. She's a great performer--completely comfortable in her own skin and able to play cross rhythms while singing rather effortlessly. A rare gift. Sheila E. has it. Alicia Keys as well.