Poor Song

Album: Fever To Tell (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Poor Song" is a companion of sorts to "Maps," which finds lead singer Karen O sifting through the ashes of her breakup with Angus Andrew. The pair were a New York City indie rock power couple - he fronts a band called Liars - but it didn't work out. She told Mojo she wrote the song "to help myself out, deciding to choose love over fear of love."

    "It's just a personal self-help message from us to anyone who wants it," she added. "Did I mention it's from the bottom of my heart?"
  • This is a hidden track on the Fever To Tell CD, coming in about a minute after the last listed song, "Modern Romance," ends. These little Easter eggs would provide a nice little surprise to listeners who played the CD and left it on - suddenly more music would come on. In the age of streaming these went away, so you'll see the song listed as part of the album in any digital form.
  • Both "Poor Song" and "Maps" are languid ballads that stand out on Yeah Yeah Yeahs' debut album Fever To Tell, which is packed with song that are much faster and more energetic. "Maps" ended up being the big hit from the album, securing the band a substantial fanbase outside of New York City.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.