What is it about The Bees?

[JR Journey]

OK, this might sound a little off the wall, so call me crazy if you must. But I am really loving this song from Lee Ann Womack's new album 'The Bees'. Problem is, I really don't have any idea what the song means.

Can anybody explain this one to me? Craig Shelburne touched on the abstract value of the lyrics in his interview piece with LAW over on cmt.com. And since I don't have time to read an entire novel just to understand a 5 minute song, I thought one of you country music aficionados could shed a little light on the subject ...

[Chris D]

Ok, I am also in love with this song here's what I think:

The child's mother left (The "motherless child" line), which is obvious, I think because of the line saying the back of her father's hand is all she's ever known, she was abused? Anyway, the narrator is looking for a real family, not the destroyed one she left.

Then the narrator breaks free, and unsure whether or not she will find a family (family represented by the tight-knit society of bees?), she eventually finds a new family, as referenced by the "small feet in the kitchen" line and "I think I found a family".

How does that sound?

-I also read that the song was inspired by the book (soon to be released movie) The Secret Life Of Bees, but it sounds like you already know that.

EDIT: After reading the wikipedia summary and page on the book, I think I'm exactly right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Bees

(It says looking for family is a major theme of the novel)

FYI, I did get my interpretation from the song only, I've never read anything about the book until just now. xD

[Drew]

This is my least favorite track on the album... good vocals again, just not really into the whole analogy she's putting across.

[JR Journey]

Ok, I've listened to this song several times again, and read all the reviews I could find to get as many different takes on the song as possible. If you listen to the song, just as a song, you kinda forgive the lyrics. But after repeated listenings and getting drawn in by the infectious chorus and Lee Ann's vocal, you really feel the need to understand what she's singing about - at least I did.

Here's what I got: I think you're spot-on with your assessment, Chris. I didn't even think to try and find a summary of the novel - so thanks for the link, and good thinking. In the wikipedia link you posted, it tells most of the story of the film. (Spoiler Alert) Apparently, the narrator's mother died - the lyrics are abstract enough that you could infer that her mother simply abandoned her.

The only thing you left out that I think is central to the plot is that the bees (the way a hive works) are a female-dominated society. And in the story-line of the book, it is the female that is the patriarch of the family and we have a female protagonist. So, you could take it as a woman's anthem, overcoming enormous hardships. Craig Shelburne says the lyrics are a real head-scratcher and Lee Ann herself described the song's lyrics as "for the listener to take however they want to. It's not real literal. Everything doesn't tie up real neatly." And I think that makes it even better, the listener has the liberty to glean from it what they may.

I just think it's a fabulous song. A little too smart for the corn dog crowd maybe, so that could hinder any chances at mainstream radio success if it's released as a single ... but still a primo track.

[Chris D]

Ok, I've listened to this song several times again, and read all the reviews I could find to get as many different takes on the song as possible. If you listen to the song, just as a song, you kinda forgive the lyrics. But after repeated listenings and getting drawn in by the infectious chorus and Lee Ann's vocal, you really feel the need to understand what she's singing about - at least I did.

Here's what I got: I think you're spot-on with your assessment, Chris. I didn't even think to try and find a summary of the novel - so thanks for the link, and good thinking. In the wikipedia link you posted, it tells most of the story of the film. (Spoiler Alert) Apparently, the narrator's mother died - the lyrics are abstract enough that you could infer that her mother simply abandoned her.

The only thing you left out that I think is central to the plot is that the bees (the way a hive works) are a female-dominated society. And in the story-line of the book, it is the female that is the patriarch of the family and we have a female protagonist. So, you could take it as a woman's anthem, overcoming enormous hardships. Craig Shelburne says the lyrics are a real head-scratcher and Lee Ann herself described the song's lyrics as "for the listener to take however they want to. It's not real literal. Everything doesn't tie up real neatly." And I think that makes it even better, the listener has the liberty to glean from it what they may.

I just think it's a fabulous song. A little too smart for the corn dog crowd maybe, so that could hinder any chances at mainstream radio success if it's released as a single ... but still a primo track.

Makes sense to me. That explains the whole working for the queen line, nice!

Definitely one of my new favorite songs.