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.
Sunlight
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it down
Look at me me me in the picture
Take me down
I could be the sunlight in your eyes
couldn't I?
Squinting at the sun up in the sky
Couldn't I?
Look at me me me in the picture
Who's it cry
Look at you you you in the picture
Say goodbye
Goodbye, good
I could be the sunlight in your eyes
Couldn't I?
Couldn't I?
Screaming at the winking shutterfly
Couldn't I?
Couldn't I?
I could be the sunlight in your eyes
Couldn't I?
Couldn't I?
Light so fast you'll feel it when you die
You didn't try
You didn't try
The song "Sunlight" by tUnE-yArDs is a complex exploration of the human desire to be seen and acknowledged. The lyrics of the song suggest a struggle for recognition and validation, as the singer implores the listener to "see me me me in the picture" and "take me down". The repetition of the phrase "me me me" highlights the centrality of self in this struggle for recognition, and suggests an overwhelming need to be seen and heard. The use of the word "picture" also carries a sense of permanence, suggesting that the singer is seeking a lasting record of their existence.
The chorus of the song provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer suggests that they "could be the sunlight in your eyes". This phrase carries connotations of warmth, brightness, and life-giving energy, suggesting that the singer wants to be a positive force in the lives of those around them. However, the repetition of the question "couldn't I?" suggests uncertainty and doubt, as if the singer is questioning whether they truly have the power to be a positive force in the world.
The final verse of the song takes a darker turn, as the singer screams at a "winking shutterfly" and suggests that "Light so fast you'll feel it when you die / You didn't try / You didn't try". These lines suggest a sense of frustration and anger at the fleeting nature of human life, and the sense that we are all inevitably going to die without truly being seen or understood. The use of the phrase "you didn't try" suggests that the singer believes this sense of anonymity and lack of impact is a result of the listener's own failure to try to truly see and understand the world around them.
Overall, "Sunlight" is a complex and multifaceted song that explores themes of self-expression, validation, and human mortality. The repeated use of the phrase "me me me" suggests a sense of individualism and self-absorption, but the final lines of the song suggest a desire for human connection and a sense of impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
See me me me me in the picture
I want you to notice me in this picture.
Take it down
Remove the picture so that I can't be ignored.
Look at me me me in the picture
I deserve to be the center of attention in this picture.
Take me down
Take me off my pedestal and bring me down to reality.
I could be the sunlight in your eyes
I have the potential to brighten up your life.
couldn't I?
Don't you think so?
Squinting at the sun up in the sky
Struggling to see the brightness of life.
Look at me me me in the picture
I still want your attention even if it's fleeting.
Who's it cry
Who is the one feeling emotional in this picture?
Look at you you you in the picture
I see that you have emotions too.
Say goodbye
It's time to let go of our past emotions.
Goodbye, good
Saying goodbye can feel good sometimes.
Screaming at the winking shutterfly
Expressing frustration at the fleetingness of happy moments.
Light so fast you'll feel it when you die
The brightness of life can have a lasting impact.
You didn't try
If you don't try to appreciate the brightness in your life, you might miss out.
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.