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.
safety
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
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I have a flowered lawn
Tired on Sunday morn
Sleep with no warning
Autumn is coming soon
Sing me that happy tune
Getting good sleep now
Sweet with no warning
How about work hard
How about sweep the yard
How about looking good
How about talking good
Rock me to rock to night
Cozy & hold me tight
How about walking dog
Hold my hand foggy night
I am no safety here
You people stab me
I walk the metered streets at night
I'm in your city
Come-a come-a get me
They gonna gonna get me
I am no safety here
I am no safety
How about you & me
Child & us make three
Warming when nothing else is right
Warm & warm
I say you're looking nice
We are all looking nice
We are all being nice
And we all look nice
I am no safety here
You people stab me
I walk the metered streets at night
I'm in your city
Come-a come-a get me
I'm in your fucking city
I am no safety here
I am no safety
The lyrics to tUnE-yArDs' song "Safety" are somewhat difficult to pin down to a specific interpretation. However, a few themes emerge throughout the song. One interpretation could be that Merrill Garbus, the lead singer and songwriter of tUnE-yArDs, is exploring the concept of safety in various contexts. On the one hand, she sings about the safety of the suburban life with its well-groomed lawns and flower beds. She contrasts this with the dangers of city life where, for her, safety is nowhere to be found. In this sense, the song can be seen as a critique of the false sense of safety that suburbs offer while pointing to the underlying dangers of everyday life that are hidden beneath the surface.
At the same time, the song also seems to be an exploration of intimacy and relationships. Garbus sings about wanting to be held and comforted, about the warmth and safety that comes from being with someone else. In this way, she contrasts the safety of relationships with the dangers of urban life, suggesting that safety is about more than just physical safety, but also emotional safety.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that safety is a complex and multifaceted concept that is both desirable and elusive. By exploring safety in all its different forms- from suburban safety to emotional safety- Garbus offers a nuanced critique of our society's obsessions with safety while also pointing to the importance of safety in our everyday lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I have a well-groomed lawn
I have meticulously tended to my yard, ensuring that it is well-kept and orderly
Tired on Sunday morn
I am fatigued and worn out at the start of the week
Autumn is coming soon
The season of fall is rapidly approaching
Getting good sleep now
I am finally able to rest peacefully and comfortably
How about work hard
Have you considered putting in effort to achieve your goals?
Rock me to rock to night
Hold me close and sway to the rhythm of the music tonight
How about walking dog
Why don't we take the dog for a walk together?
I am no safety here
I do not feel secure or protected in this environment
Come-a come-a get me
I am daring or challenging others to come after me
How about you & me
What do you say we spend some quality time together?
Warming when nothing else is right
Being close to someone can bring comfort and solace during difficult times
I say you're looking nice
I think you look attractive or well put-together
We are all looking nice
Collectively, we present a pleasant or positive appearance
I'm in your fucking city
I am present in the place where you reside or frequent, regardless of any negative reactions to my presence
Writer(s): Merrill Garbus Copyright: Garbus The Owl
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.