Sophie B. Hawkins
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Sophie_B._Hawkins-Timbre.jpg
Sophie Ballantine Hawkins is an American singer and songwriter, born 1 November 1967, New York City, USA. Her two biggest hits are "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "As I Lay Me Down".
Hawkins began performing professionally as a percussionist with Bryan Ferry in the early 1980s. Her debut album, Tongues and Tails, was released in 1992. It achieved both critical acclaim and worldwide commercial success. The single Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles' chart in the USA. Whaler, her second album, was released in 1994. It also contained a Top 10 hit, the song As I Lay Me Down.
Many of Hawkins' songs are openly about sex, such as "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "I Need Nothing Else"; on Timbre, songs such as "32 Lines" and "Your Tongue Like the Sun in My Mouth" began to deal explicitly with her bisexuality. Her influences include jazz, rock, and African music.
A 1998 documentary by Gigi Gaston called The Cream Will Rise is based on Hawkins' life. It follows her during one of her tours and captures her struggle to deal with a past trouble with her family, including her mother and brother. Music and riffs by Hawkins are included throughout the film.
Sophie had an extended conflict with her record company before her third album, Timbre, was released. She wanted to use a banjo in the song "Lose Your Way", but her company wanted her to use a more mainstream instrument, such as a guitar. She finally won out with the help of a loosely-knit group of Internet-based fans.
Timbre was re-released in 2001 on her own label. It was bundled with a bonus disc containing new songs, demos, remixes, and videos.
Her first independently recorded and released album, Wilderness, was released in 2004.
See also
Discography
- Tongues and Tails (1992)
- Whaler (1994)
- Timbre (1999)
- Timbre (enhanced, on her own label; 2001)
- The Best of Sophie B. Hawkins (2001)
- Wilderness (2004)
External links
- Official website (http://www.sophiebhawkins.com)
- Main Sophie B. Hawkins fan website (http://www.thecreamwillrise.com)