Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Claire Deschanel (born 17 January 1980) is an American actress, songwriter and singer who performs with M. Ward as the group She & Him, and stars in the comedy television series New Girl.

Quotes



 * I don't want to go to another roller-coaster ride of a movie. If I want that, I'll go to Magic Mountain. I'm really interested in the young directors that are doing different things in cinema. I think the movies people will hold onto are the Rushmores and the Being John Malkoviches. Those are the kind of films I want to do; that's what I'm passionate about.
 * Mean magazine (April 2001).


 * I don't think I'm very much like anyone else, really. I'm sure there are aspects of other actors that I share, but I don't see anybody else and go, "Damn, they stole my thing." I'm me, and I like that there are people who have an appreciation for that.
 * As quoted in "From A to Zooey" in The Boston Globe (23 February 2003).


 * I have trouble actually describing myself because I’m always suspicious of people who start describing themselves. I’m like, “OK, why are you trying to tell me what you are?”
 * As quoted in "Zooey sings!" by Matt Pais in Metromix (21 July 2008).


 * I think a lot of what motivates me songwriting-wise is — this might sound silly — but, when I listen to a song that I love, it kind of makes me feel better. I think that’s the impetus behind everything I write; I want to make people feel better, whether it’s myself, or a friend, or whoever. I don’t know how to say this without sounding corny or banal, but I know a lot of people who are very hard on themselves. So this is sort of a cheerleading lullaby.
 * On her song "Me and You" on Volume Two (2010), in an interview with Evan Schlansky in "On Record : Zooey Deschanel of She & Him" at American Songwriter (18 March 2010).


 * My goal as an actor is always to be as truthful as possible, and to find the truth in the material I am representing. So I think that it’s the same with performing music. But in a way, performing your own music, it’s easier to find the truth in it, because it’s coming from yourself. There’s no translation needed.
 * As quoted in "On Record : Zooey Deschanel of She & Him" at American Songwriter (18 March 2010).


 * I would watch Wizard of Oz, like every day, when I was two. I had a hard time understanding that I couldn't go into the film, because it felt so real to me.
 * Statement in These Amazing Shadows (2011).

She & Him : Volume One (2008)



 * O-o-old habits die hard when you got, when you got a sentimental heart Piece of the puzzle, you're my missing part Oh what can you do with a sentimental heart?
 * "Sentimental Heart".


 * Why don't you sit right down and stay awhile? We like the same things and I like your style Its not a secret; why do you keep it? I'm just sitting on the shelf
 * Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?


 * I got to get your presence Let's make it known I think you're just so pleasant I would like you for my own
 * Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?


 * For those of you who tried, but didn't make it, Settle down — it's never what you think. The summit doesn't differ from the deep, dark valley, And the valley doesn't differ from the kitchen sink.
 * "This Is Not a Test".


 * For those of you who thought you'd be forgotten, The friends you've made will try their best, to make it so. Think of all the beauty that you left behind you. You can take it if you want it, and then let it go.
 * "This Is Not a Test".


 * For those of us who try to keep remembering, Try to do our better than our best. Think of all the children in the drifts of snow. Winners never quit, but winters never rest.
 * "This Is Not a Test".


 * I was never no, never no, never enough, But I can try, I can try to toughen up.
 * "Change Is Hard".


 * Change is hard, I should know. I should know.
 * "Change Is Hard".


 * I somehow see what's beautiful In things that are ephemeral I'm my only friend of mine  And love is just a piece of time in the world in the world. And I couldn't help but fall in love again.
 * "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today".


 * Take it back Oh, take it back I don't want your lovin', anymore Let me live Oh, let me live It's not you who I sing for
 * "Take It Back".


 * I don't wanna' wonder whether you love me I don't wanna' wonder whether you care
 * "Take It Back".


 * When I saw you smile I saw a dream come true
 * "I Was Made For You".


 * I won't be waitin' any more cause I know Baby, baby I was made for you
 * "I Was Made For You".


 * My eyes are so bleary I guess I'm young but I feel so weary I've tried to express it But I think its all a bore Its at the heart of me, A very part of me
 * "Black Hole".


 * It's nowhere in here And its everywhere else that I don't wanna be, But I'm stuck here getting misty over you I'm alone on a bicycle for two.
 * "Black Hole".


 * Saw your face, My hand you took Just like in a story book, And you got me Yeah, you‘ve got me
 * "Got Me".


 * I can feel your heartbeat, Where I lay my head ‘Cause you’ve got me Yeah you’ve got me
 * "Got Me".


 * When I was a little bit younger The strain I was under could make me cry. Now I’m a little bit older, A little bit bolder, Never so shy
 * "Sweet Darlin" (written with Jason Schwartzman).


 * Sweet darlin’, come hold me, Just a little bit longer now
 * "Sweet Darlin".

Volume Two (2010)

 * Full lyrics online




 * There's thieves among us Painting the walls All kinds of lies, and lies I never told it all
 * "Thieves".


 * What's in my pocket? You never knew You didn't know me well So well, as I knew you
 * "Thieves".


 * And I know, and you know too That a love, like ours Is terrible news But that wont stop me crying No, that wont stop me crying over you
 * "Thieves".


 * It’s hard to be ignored When I look at you, you look so bored My baby, my darling, I’ve been taking a beating… Well alright (well alright) It’s okay (it’s okay) We all get the slip sometimes every day I’ll just keep it to myself in the sun In the sun
 * "In the Sun" - YouTube video


 * Orpheus melted the heart of Persephone, but I never had yours I followed you back to the end of the path, but I never found the door
 * "Don't Look Back" - Video at Vimeo


 * Don't look back all you'll ever get is the dust from the steps before I don't have to see you every day, but I just want to know youre there
 * "Don't Look Back".


 * I like to learn things slow I like learning alot I like to get it all again and in the end You know you get what you got
 * "Lingering Still".


 * And the world's like a science And I'm like a secret And I saw you lingering still, still I saw you lingering still
 * "Lingering Still".


 * He was different at first But then he won't understand Because he's never gonna know me If he doesn't want to just shake my hand
 * "Lingering Still".


 * Well Im back in your good graces again Remember when you told me that I was your only friend?
 * "Me and You".


 * Well I know that you worry a lot about Things you cant control There are so many things wed like to have But we just cannot hold, You've got to be kind to yourself You've got to be kind to yourself
 * "Me and You".


 * California is a great big nation of one They never knew what they wanted ’til it was already gone
 * "Home".


 * Why don’t we just sit and stare and do nothing? Nothing at all for a while I like the way you smile I could be your state and I could be your nation It doesn’t get better than home, now does it?
 * "Home".


 * I want to be where your heart is home  I want to see you with the light in the morning There’s never been such a beautiful warning to me, to me
 * "Home".


 * You never tried facing the sting Walking all in circles, take it all in stride Faces are not what they seem, I always dream lost in the tide
 * "I'm Gonna Make It Better".


 * The world’s been waiting, they’ve been waiting for years And they’ve just gotta hear it  The kids are waiting, they’ve been shedding tears  So open your arms and sing for us
 * "Sing".


 * Why do I always want to sock it to you hard? Let you know what love is like when I’m keeping all my cards up on the shelf Where you can’t see them Why do I always want to keep it to myself?
 * "Over It Over Again".


 * I had some brand new shoes They were all red but they gave me the blues And they're runnin' away, they left me a letter It's just like you told me it'd be It's nothin' nothin' nothin' nothin' at all
 * "Brand New Shoes".


 * We are all made of air There's stars in my eyes and there's sun in my hair And I'm runnin' away, it makes me feel better
 * "Brand New Shoes".


 * If you can't sleep, I'll be there in your dreams. I'll be there in your dreams if you can't sleep at all. And in your dreams, I'll touch your cheek And lay my head on your shoulder.  Goodbye shadows
 * "If You Can't Sleep".


 * Shut your eyes, there are bluer skies For you're embraced in my heart 
 * "If You Can't Sleep".


 * Hair got caught in the sunlight darling But I just wasted the day. I knew it would happen this way.
 * I Knew It Would Happen This Way (Bonus track on pre-orders).


 * Can't get up in the morning lately and I'm just sunk in a dream I'm always the ship in the stream
 * I Knew It Would Happen This Way (Bonus track on pre-orders).

Volume 3 (2013)
Everybody's clever these days Take a win Take a fall I never wanted your love But I needed it all…
 * All I know is that I'm tired of being clever
 * "Never Wanted Your Love" · The Late Show performance

Quotes about Deschanel



 * As you celebrate this special occasion with your family and friends, please know I am grateful for all you have done to encourage and support young women who are making a difference across our country. I hope your day is filled with love and laughter, and I wish you all the best for good health and happiness in the year ahead.
 * Barack Obama, in a birthday greeting (sent 9 January 2011), as reported in "Zooey Deschanel receives birthday message from President Obama" at CBS News (19 January 2011).


 * Zooey Deschanel is one of those rare artists to transcend the pitfalls of being an actor/musician. Together with the talented M. Ward, the other half of She & Him, she crafts beautiful songs that sound like vintage radio hits. Their debut album, Volume 1, wowed the critics. Volume 2 is even better.
 * Evan Schlansky "On Record : Zooey Deschanel of She & Him" at American Songwriter (18 March 2010).


 * I think that one of Zooey's skills in songwriting is the storytelling, and I hope that the production doesn't get in the way of that, and I hope that the era that we're living in doesn't get in the way of that, if that makes any sense.
 * M. Ward, in She And Him's Breezy Pop Sensibility", NPR interview (21 March 2010).