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.
Powa
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wait, honey honey
I will never get to sleep
Rebel, rebel, no
I can never get to sleep
I'm a rebel, rebel, no
Hold me til I get to sleep
Oh baby bring me home to bed
Rebel, rebel, no
Lightening dances in my head
Devil, devil, whoa, oh, oh
Burning steady as a motor
Not a pebble, pebble
Baby, bring me home to bed
I need you to press me down
before my body flies away from me
Your power
Inside
It rocks me like a lullaby
Your power
Inside
It rocks me like a lullaby
Your power
Inside
Oh baby, I just don't know why
Your power
Your power inside
Waiting for you
Hurry up
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Can you see my face at all?
My man likes me from behind
Tell the truth I never mind
'Cause you bomb me with lies,
humiliations everyday
You bomb me so many times
I never find my way
Come on and bomb me
Why won't you bomb me?
Come on and bomb
Go on and whoa,
oh, ah woah, ah
oh, ooh, oh
Your power
Inside
It rocks me like a lullaby
Your power
In my mine
It gives me thrills I can't describe
Your face in mine
Oh baby, I just don't know why
Your power
Inside
Your power
The lyrics of tUnE-yArDs' "Powa" express the longing and restlessness of the singer, who can't seem to sleep or find rest without the presence of their lover. The repetition of "wait, honey honey" suggests a sense of urgency, as though the singer is waiting for a long-awaited reunion with their lover. The references to rebellion and lightning suggest a wild, untamed energy that the singer needs to be held down in order to keep from fleeing. The refrain "your power inside, it rocks me like a lullaby" is ambiguous, but seems to suggest that the singer's lover has a magnetic hold over them, soothing them like a lullaby while also electrifying them.
The second verse introduces the theme of societal pressure and self-image, as the singer addresses their reflection in a mirror and the judgments and humiliations they face day to day. The line "my man likes me from behind, tell the truth I never mind" may be interpreted as a commentary on objectification and a sense of apathy that might arise from it. The chorus repeats with slight variations, emphasizing the intensity of the singer's feelings and the addictive nature of their attraction to their lover.
Overall, "Powa" portrays a speaker who is out of control and seeking solace from the chaos of their life through their connection to their lover. The lyrics could be interpreted as an exploration of dependency, rebellion, and the complex emotions that arise in the context of a passionate relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait, honey honey
Asking for patience or time to be taken before action is taken.
Wait, honey honey
Asking for patience or time to be taken before action is taken.
I will never get to sleep
Expressing inner anxiety, distress or worry about something that could keep one up at night.
Rebel, rebel, no
Stating the unwillingness to conform or follow certain societal norms.
I can never get to sleep
Expressing that the anxiety or worry mentioned earlier is a persistent problem.
I'm a rebel, rebel, no
Reemphasizing the unwillingness to conform or follow certain societal norms.
Hold me til I get to sleep
Asking for support and comfort to help one deal with the anxiety or worry and eventually fall asleep.
Oh baby bring me home to bed
Requesting to be taken to a place of comfort and safety.
Lightening dances in my head
Expressing a state of heightened emotions or frenzied mental activity.
Devil, devil, whoa, oh, oh
Referring to negative or harmful thoughts, emotions, or situations that one is struggling with.
Burning steady as a motor
Expressing that the struggle with negative thoughts or emotions is constant and unrelenting.
Not a pebble, pebble
Emphasizing that the struggle is not just a minor annoyance or inconvenience.
Baby, bring me home to bed
Repeating the earlier request for comfort and safety.
I need you to press me down
Asking for someone to physically help calm down and control the frenzied mental activity.
before my body flies away from me
Expressing that the inner struggle is intense enough to cause physical distress or discomfort.
Your power
Referring to someone else's ability to provide comfort or support in times of need.
Inside
Emphasizing that the source of the comfort or support is within the person being referred to.
It rocks me like a lullaby
Comparing the comfort or support to a calming, soothing sound that can help one fall asleep.
Oh baby, I just don't know why
Expressing confusion or bewilderment about the intense emotional response to the source of comfort or support.
Waiting for you
Expressing a strong desire for the person being referred to.
Hurry up
Stressing the urgency of the desire for the person being referred to.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Referencing the famous line from the Snow White fairy tale, but with a cynical or sarcastic tone.
Can you see my face at all?
Questioning whether the idea of a reflection or mirror image is really accurate or true to one's actual appearance or identity.
My man likes me from behind
Revealing a personal detail about one's intimate relationships or preferences.
Tell the truth I never mind
Stating that one does not care about societal norms or expectations regarding intimate relationships or preferences.
'Cause you bomb me with lies,
Referring to an ambiguous 'you' as the source of lies or deceit that are pressuring or damaging.
humiliations everyday
Describing the nature of the lies or deceit as harmful and steeped in shame or embarrassment.
You bomb me so many times
Repeating the earlier reference to 'you' and their lies or deceit, and emphasizing the frequency or intensity of it.
I never find my way
Expressing confusion, uncertainty or doubt about one's situation or identity in the face of the lies or deceit.
Come on and bomb me
Turning the earlier reference to 'you' and their lies or deceit into a plea or invitation, indicating potential self-destructive tendencies.
Why won't you bomb me?
Repeating the plea or invitation, but questioning why there seems to be resistance or hesitation.
Come on and bomb
Repeating the plea or invitation once more.
Go on and whoa,
Adding a vocalization of excitement or anticipation to the plea or invitation.
oh, ah woah, ah
Continuing the vocalization.
oh, ooh, oh
Continuing the vocalization.
It gives me thrills I can't describe
Describing the intensity and excitement of the inner response to the source of comfort or support.
Your face in mine
Repeating the earlier reference to the source of comfort or support, but with a more intimate and personal description.
Your power
Repeating the earlier reference to the source of comfort or support.
Inside
Repeating the earlier emphasis on the internal nature of the source of comfort or support.
Your power inside
Repeating the phrase once more for emphasis.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crossedout5952
Man ages ago I was watching Conan and the musical guest was a single female.. She starts knocking on her guitar, stomps pedal, lays rhythmic vocal part, stomps, guitar pattern, stomps... And so on. It wasn't anything id ever listen to had I just heard it on the radio per say, but seeing her build it all on her own and how simple but impossibly simple, and simply how epic it was.. I was instantly a fan.
That woman was not this woman.
I'd listen to this had I not seen tbe process as the song is just raw and wild and also soft and precision perfect. And seeing the process just made me smile.
Reminded me when some lone maybe 20 yr old woman got herself one very unlikely fan because whether my style or not, there was no watching her without admitting she was awe inspiring..... And this in my opinion/preference is that times 5.
P.s. I watched the heart attack video then this. Ive never heard of Tune Yards before this.
Edit: the woman I was talking about at first that was not this one, her name is
KT Tunstill song was Black Horse And a Cherry Tree
@abi21891
I love her voice, it's so ambiguous. I had no idea what she looked like when I first heard it. Man or woman? Black or white? Young or old? What a rollercoaster of a song!
@gxtmfa
In that way, it’s a powerful, pure human voice. With some grit
@aweasley846
Couldn't agree more!!! It's a lil masterpiece and I'm so glad Spotify recommended those two to me 😻😻
@demekonrn
In my head I saw a man who sounded like a woman who maybe looked like Prince lol. I was pleasantly surprised.
@Napalmslumz
samesies. it’s why I love it.
@hertzmcgurk2291
I'm black and she surprised me more than Bobby Caldwell lol 🤣 so soulful 💛🖤💚
@teenagewormaphobe6871
I watch this about 5 times a year, it's something I look forward to
@BrianLindsayMusic
Haha me too! It's so good
@diali504
Me too!!
@vikingdaytrip4447
Seriously! Same several times a year and so fun to share with peeps that have never heard or seen it before!