Elephants

I first heard of Rachael Yamagata a long, long time ago from Kiks. It took me several months before I searched and downloaded her songs from Limewire and since then she's on the top of my playlist. (Check her official website here.)

I listen to her whenever I WANT to feel somber. Her sultry voice never fails to carry me to a melancholic place. The introspective mood of her lyrics are poetic and intimate, and are mostly filled with longing and pain.

Take for example this song called Elephants from her 2008 album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart.

Elephants
by Rachael Yamagata

If the elephants have past lives, Yet all destined to always remember
It’s no wonder how they scream, Like you and I, they must have some temper

And I am dreaming of them on the planes
Dirtying up their beds,
Watching for some sign of rain to cool their hot heads

And how dare that you send me that card, When I am doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember, When all I want is just forget you

If the tiger shall protect her young, Then tell me how did you sleep by?
Oh, my instincts have failed me for once, I must have slept the whole night

And I am dreaming of them with their kill, Tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips, And teeth sinking into heart

And how dare that you say you’ll call, When you know I need some peace of mind
If you have to take sides with the animals, Won’t you do it with one who is kind?

If the hawks in the trees need the dead, If you are living you don’t stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed, But there are only two ends to this dance

You can flee with your wounds just in time
Or lie there as he feeds,
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed

So for those have you fallen in love, Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right
Throw yourself in the mist of danger, But keep an eye open at night