Such great lyrics. Shearwater's music and lyrics always have a thread that speaks to the relationships between humanity and the natural world. Or maybe another way to say it, is that nature is part of their language. Other musicians may incorporate elements of nature, speak about nature, or use natural imagery to illustrate concepts or create feelings, but Shearwater speaks IN nature (if that makes sense). I don't know if I've ever encountered another musician or group who can do this so consistently and genuinely. Whether it is subtle references or quotes from important works of writing in the field, the use of specific descriptions of individual species, places, natural phenomena, structures, or the musical evocation of these specific things, they just nail it.
This song seems to have a personal element, and I can't guess at what exactly it speaks to, but to me, there is a general theme about the process of recovering the true self (nature/animal self) and shedding the layers put upon one by culture/civilization, family, etc. The person ("your name") addressed in the song may in fact be the singer's true self.
Such great lyrics. Shearwater's music and lyrics always have a thread that speaks to the relationships between humanity and the natural world. Or maybe another way to say it, is that nature is part of their language. Other musicians may incorporate elements of nature, speak about nature, or use natural imagery to illustrate concepts or create feelings, but Shearwater speaks IN nature (if that makes sense). I don't know if I've ever encountered another musician or group who can do this so consistently and genuinely. Whether it is subtle references or quotes from important works of writing in the field, the use of specific descriptions of individual species, places, natural phenomena, structures, or the musical evocation of these specific things, they just nail it.
This song seems to have a personal element, and I can't guess at what exactly it speaks to, but to me, there is a general theme about the process of recovering the true self (nature/animal self) and shedding the layers put upon one by culture/civilization, family, etc. The person ("your name") addressed in the song may in fact be the singer's true self.