Eavesdrop

Album: The Civil Wars (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Civil Wars duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White brought in their producer, Charlie Peacock, on this song. Williams explained: "He helped with arrangements and really helped take the song to a totally different place. Sometimes as an artist, you can't see what needs rearranging when you're so 'in it.' Charlie brought perspective. Almost like an eavesdrop within an 'Eavesdrop.'"

    Peacock added more than perspective to the sessions for the album, the duo's second. By this time, Williams and White weren't on speaking terms and it was up to him to get them to finish it. They managed to complete it and it debuted at #1 in America, but The Civil Wars never performed together again and announced their split in 2014.
  • Williams gave birth to a son, Miles Alexander, in between the recording of The Civil Wars' Barton Hollow and self-titled albums. This song highlighted to her the change in her voice between the two records. She explained: "When I was first pregnant and performing on the road, I thought something was wrong with my voice. I was having a hard time hitting high notes, while my low notes kept getting deeper and deeper. I did some research with the help of a vocal coach, and learned that hormone levels affect a female singing range. Having a boy, naturally, upped my testosterone levels, making low notes easier to hit and higher notes harder to reach."

    "But the great thing?," she added. After having Miles, I regained my high range AND have kept my low range. Pregnancy literally changed the makeup of my vocal cords. There's a different timbre to it now, and I love that I can hear the story of my son in my singing."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?