Daughter's Emotional Song "Candles" Release And Meaning

when was candles released by daughter

'Candles' by Daughter was released on April 20, 2011, as part of the self-produced 'His Young Heart' EP. The song explores themes of innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation. It paints a picture of a young person navigating desire, vulnerability, and the potential for exploitation. With lyrics like You're too old to be so shy and I'll do whatever you say to me in the dark, the song delves into the complexities of youth and the potential pitfalls of naivety.

Characteristics Values
Name of the song Candles
Band Daughter
Album His Young Heart
Year of release 2011
Month of release April
Date of release 20 April
Lyrics Discuss innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation

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Candles was released in 2011

"Candles" by Daughter was released in 2011 as part of the EP "His Young Heart". The EP was self-produced and released on April 20, 2011. It was Daughter's debut EP, recorded in Igor Haefeli's bedsit.

"Candles" discusses themes of innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation. The lyrics explore the dynamic between a young woman and a man, with the woman feeling pressured and taken advantage of by the man. The song's title, "Candles," and references to blowing out candles may symbolize youth, vulnerability, and the loss of innocence.

The release of "His Young Heart" gained Daughter recognition, and later that year, they released another EP, "The Wild Youth," on October 2, 2011, through artist-led Communion Records. This EP received praise from British website For Folk's Sake, who commended Daughter as "one of the unique sounds in the pop landscape today."

Daughter is a self-taught musician and singer/songwriter from North London, UK. The band formed when Haefeli attended one of Tonra's acoustic shows and was drawn to her powerful performance. They began performing together, with Haefeli adding electric guitars to complement Tonra's acoustic style. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of "His Young Heart," which included the impactful and thought-provoking song "Candles."

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"Candles" by Daughter was released on their self-produced EP, 'His Young Heart', on the 20th of April 2011. The EP was recorded in Igor Haefeli's bedsit. It is a 4-track album with an intimate, lo-fi sound and a captivating atmosphere.

The song "Candles" discusses themes of innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation. The lyrics portray a narrative of a young person being led into the night by a boy, out of the hum of streetlights and into a forest. The chorus includes the lines "Blow out all the candles, blow out all the candles / 'You're too old to be so shy,' he says to me so I stay the night / Just a young heart confusing my mind, but we're both in silence / Wide-eyed, both in silence / Wide-eyed, like we're in a crime scene."

The song continues with the verse, "Well, I have brittle bones it seems / I bite my tongue and I torch my dreams / Have a little voice to speak with / And a mind full of thoughts and secrecy." These lyrics allude to a sense of vulnerability and powerlessness, further emphasising the themes of innocence and violation.

The release of "Candles" on the 'His Young Heart' EP marked an important step in the band's journey, showcasing their unique style and ability to convey profound emotions through their music. The EP received praise for its intimacy and atmospheric sound, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.

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The song was self-produced

'Candles' was released in April 2011 on Daughter's self-produced EP, 'His Young Heart'. The song was written and performed by Elena Tonra, a singer/songwriter from North London, who makes up one half of the band Daughter. The other half is Igor Haefeli, who Tonra met at London's Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. The pair began performing together, with Haefeli adding electric guitars to accompany Tonra's vocals and guitar playing.

'Candles' was the first track on the EP, which was recorded in Haefeli's bedsit. The song discusses innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation. The lyrics tell a dark story of a secretive and forbidden encounter between two people. The song begins with the singer being led into a forest by a boy, away from the noise of the streetlights. The mention of a "wolf in a familiar name on a birthday card" suggests that the boy might be known to the singer, but she is afraid of what he might do.

The song's title, 'Candles', is a metaphor for the transition from girl to woman. In the lyrics, "blow out all the candles", the singer is expressing a desire to get the encounter "over with", as she feels naive and shy. This could be interpreted as a reference to the loss of virginity and the expectation that sex will be a transformative experience.

The EP 'His Young Heart' was Daughter's debut release, and it earned them praise from critics. The band signed with 4AD in 2012 and released their first single, 'Smother', in October of that year. Their debut album, 'If You Leave', was released in March 2013 and charted at Number 16 in the UK.

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Themes include innocence and sexual violation

'Candles' was released by Daughter in April 2011 as part of their self-produced EP 'His Young Heart'. The song discusses themes of innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation.

The lyrics of 'Candles' paint a picture of a young woman being led into the night by a boy, who encourages her to ""blow out all the candles", representing the end of her innocence and youth. The song explores the dynamic between the two characters, with the girl expressing her willingness to do whatever the boy says, despite her fears. This dynamic has been interpreted by listeners as indicative of a sexual or abusive nature, with the girl being used solely for sex.

The line "You're too old to be so shy" suggests that the boy is pressuring the girl to engage in sexual acts, taking advantage of her youth and innocence. The girl's response, "I'll do whatever you say to me in the dark", further emphasizes the power imbalance in their relationship.

The song also hints at the girl's misgivings and confusion about the relationship. The lyrics "Just a young heart confusing my mind" and "I have brittle bones it seems" suggest that she recognizes the potential for harm but may not fully accept the reality of the situation, likening it to "a crime scene".

Overall, 'Candles' by Daughter explores the complex themes of innocence, sexual violation, and the loss of virginity through its lyrics and imagery. It highlights the power dynamics and potential dangers of relationships, particularly when innocence is involved.

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It was written by Elena Tonra

'Candles' by Daughter was released on 20 April 2011 as part of the EP 'His Young Heart'. The song was written by Elena Tonra, the founder and frontwoman of the indie band Daughter. She is the writer for most of the band's songs.

Tonra's songwriting is often deeply personal. She has spoken about how she writes "about things I feel difficult talking about in adulthood". Her interest in music began when she received a copy of the album 'Grace' by Jeff Buckley. Tonra also experienced traditional Irish music from an early age due to her Mayo-born grandfather. She started her music career by performing acoustic shows under her own name around London. However, she found that performing solo didn't suit her and she felt restricted by her abilities as a self-taught musician.

It was during this time that Tonra met guitarist Igor Haefeli, who attended one of her acoustic shows. He was drawn to her powerful presence on stage. The two began performing together, with Haefeli adding electric guitars to complement Tonra's acoustic sound. Their first demo sparked word-of-mouth buzz for the band, leading to the self-release of their debut EP, 'His Young Heart', recorded in Haefeli's bedsit.

Tonra's lyrics for 'Candles' delve into themes of innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation. The song's chorus includes the lines: "Blow out all the candles, blow out all the candles / 'You're too old to be so shy,' he says to me so I stay the night / Just a young heart confusing my mind, but we're both in silence / Wide-eyed, both in silence / Wide-eyed, like we're in a crime scene." The raw emotion and intimate storytelling in 'Candles' exemplify Tonra's talent for crafting deeply personal and impactful songs.

Frequently asked questions

'Candles' by Daughter was released on 20 April 2011.

'Candles' is from Daughter's 2011 'His Young Heart' EP.

'Candles' discusses innocence, loss of virginity, and sexual violation.

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