Lucy Dacus, a talented singer and songwriter recognized for her work with Boygenius, reflects on her poignant song 'Thumbs.' She shares the emotional journey that inspired the track, highlighting themes of parental mistreatment and vulnerability. Dacus discusses the challenges she faced during the recording process and the therapeutic power of songwriting. Additionally, she dives into her minimalistic approach to music production, aiming for an ethereal quality that enhances the song's emotional impact.
Lucy Dacus's song 'Thumbs' encapsulates the emotional complexities of familial relationships, highlighting the theme of chosen family over toxic ties.
The creative process behind 'Thumbs' involved extensive studio work to capture its raw intensity, showcasing the importance of storytelling in songwriting.
Deep dives
The Emotional Backstory of 'Thumbs'
The song 'Thumbs' was inspired by Lucy Dacus's experience supporting a friend during a difficult reunion with her estranged father. Five years prior, Dacus had witnessed her friend's emotional turmoil as they met the father, who she believed was abusive. The song encapsulates the tension and complexity of familial relationships, highlighting feelings of protectiveness and rage that emerged during that encounter. Dacus's initial impulse was to confront the father on behalf of her friend, underlining the pain that prompted her to write the song years later.
Crafting the Song
Dacus described the process of writing 'Thumbs' as both intuitive and emotional, revealing that she penned the entire song during a brief car ride. The lyrics meld personal narrative with a melodic structure that underscores the song's meaning, with the melody enhancing the emotional weight of the words. The song's development involved numerous attempts in the studio, as the initial recordings did not capture the raw intensity Dacus wanted to convey. Ultimately, Dacus aimed for a stripped-down arrangement, emphasizing the poignant storytelling over elaborate instrumentation.
Themes of Family and Autonomy
The lyrics of 'Thumbs' explore the complicated nature of family bonds, particularly the idea that one does not owe anything to toxic family members. Dacus emphasizes her belief in chosen family over biological ties, which is a recurring theme in her life. The powerful assertion that her friend 'doesn't owe him shit' serves as an empowering reminder for those trapped in harmful familial relationships. This not only acts as a cathartic release for Dacus and her friend but also resonates deeply with listeners facing similar dilemmas.
Lucy Dacus has a new album coming out on March 28th, called Forever Is A Feeling. So, in the week before it comes out, I thought it could be nice to revisit her Song Exploder episode from 2021. It’s about the beautiful and brutally heartbreaking song "Thumbs," which I love. And since recording that episode, Lucy's won three Grammy awards as part of her band Boygenius, including Album of the Year. But back in 2021, I had a really nice afternoon talking to Lucy. She was the first guest to come over and record with me at my studio, in person, after COVID hit. So I have a lot of fond memories about this one, and I hope you’ll enjoy listening or re-listening to it with me.
Lucy Dacus is a singer and songwriter from Richmond, Virginia. She put out her first album in 2016, and in 2018 she formed the band Boygenius with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers. In June 2021, she released her third album, Home Video, which includes this song, "Thumbs." The first time I heard it, I knew I wanted to ask Lucy about how and why she made it. After some COVID testing, we spoke in person here in Los Angeles. And she told me the story of how "Thumbs" took months and months to get right.