Sister Lyrics
All it wasn't what she said
She came together like a dream
But I didn't know I had
From the sleeping life I lead
All the colors I've seen
I can only recognize
The brighter one in front of me
Oh the truth I learned
And then it finally came along
Turned around and it's there
All the love I thought was done
I want to show you
I want to be there
I want to see her
pieces together
Know it's forever
Show me the future
Tell me you'll be there
I want to go where
Nobody knows fear
I want to follow
My heart down that
Everywhere I go
I can see your face
I haven't got it once
It's the way I see this place
And though this blessing was a curse
Before I opened up my heart
You've learned to take it as it comes
You fall together, fall apart
I want to show you
I want to be there
I want to see her
Know that this
Will go on forever
I want to live life
I want to die right
Next to you
Next to you
She stated in an interview that 'this song has nothing to do with my sister.'
I think the character she refers to in this song is in fact herself - the 'sister' she is reaching out to is her vulnerable, flawed self and the 'I' is her rational, present self. I think all humans have these sides to them and you are always living both at the same time.
I see this as a song about empowerment and being authentic, through heartbreak and tragedy and all the terrible things life entails. I find when she sings 'all my life I thought I'd change' over and over to be completely overwhelming because it a beautifully poignant declaration of the fact you can never be perfect and you can't help shit happening but you can be true to yourself and hopefully therefore others. There is huge comfort in that.
I have no idea if this is what Angel is writing about but it is what I took from it. Thank you as always Angel for creating beautiful empowering and comforting music - this album has been a god send for me at a particularly difficult time of my life.
@justlikehoney1 You helped me see this song in a different light, and your opinion makes sense to me. Thanks.
@justlikehoney1 You helped me see this song in a different light, and your opinion makes sense to me. Thanks.
@brokentelephone78 I'm glad I could be of help! I actually found a podcast the other day where Angel talks more about the meaning and confirms some of my observations above. Google: Angel Olsen New Yorker Radio podcast and it should come up. She comes on around 40 mins in.
@brokentelephone78 I'm glad I could be of help! I actually found a podcast the other day where Angel talks more about the meaning and confirms some of my observations above. Google: Angel Olsen New Yorker Radio podcast and it should come up. She comes on around 40 mins in.
Meeting her sister for the first time?
In the video she cries at one point, which made me like her even more. I assume this song has significant meaning to her, hopefully she will explain it one day. I adore vulnerability in artists.