The album is as eclectic as Oren’s home bases of Tel Aviv, Israel (where he was born), Berlin Germany (where he recorded the album), and Los Angeles, CA (the home of his new label). It was released in Europe and immediately garnered great press with Uncut raving in a four-star review that the album is “cinematic and mellow, like Nick Drake in a cheerful summer bonnet…”
Many people in the US will be familiar with Oren’s music as his album track ‘Her Morning Elegance’ was featured in a national ad campaign for Chevy Malibu. He also wrote the end credit “A Dance ‘Round the Memory Tree” for the film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian joining Regina Spektor and Hanne Hukkelberg on the soundtrack.
Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, Oren began his creative journey as a playwright. At the age of 21 he wrote and directed a play for the Israeli Fringe Theater Festival, which won the awards for best newcomer writer and director. He later moved to London on a scholarship to attend the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. While still at school he wrote a play he later directed in an Off West-end theater to critical acclaim. The production was named by Time-Out London as one of the best 5 shows in London during its run. Oren moved to NY where he gradually began to shift his focus from playwriting to a shorter form of storytelling, the song. Two years later he relocated to Berlin and began work on The Opposite Side of The Sea.
In 2007 the album was released in Europe, then found its way to the KCRW playlist in LA. Shortly after that the album track ‘Her Morning Elegance’ was synched to a Chevrolet Malibu TV campaign. Oren, who does not own a television and has not driven a car for 10 years, continues to ride the bus. With the earnings from the TV ad he started his own label in the US, named it, then renamed it, changed it again and finally decided to call it Quarter Past Wonderful. He then released The Opposite Side Of The Sea on iTunes US, where it climbed to #30 on the charts.
Oren Lavie's music doesn't come right at you through the front door; its elliptical nature is mysterious and dense and remains slightly unresolved. His vignettes of life are heartbreaking. One can hear his playwright past in his narratives as his songs unfold like a collection of short stories in musical poetic form.
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Did You Really Say No
Oren Lavie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I thought you meant "Yes"
There were shadows in your hair
There were flowers on your dress
And the flowers grew wild
And the shadows turned to trees
Were you happy as a child?
I saw you dancing in the breeze
Baby, baby on the floor
What did you come here for or
Did you really say "No"?
Baby you used to grow old
Did you really say "No"?
Well I thought you meant "Please"
You were happy as a child
I was known to mind a youth
Then the flowers turned red
And the shadows grew tall
Did I make you disappear?
Were you ever here at all?
Baby, baby on the floor
What did you come here for or
Did you really say "No"?
Baby you used to grow old
Baby, baby on the floor
What did you come here for or
Did you really say "No"?
What did you come here for or
Baby, baby on the floor
What did you come here for or
Did you really say "No"?
Baby I used to know how
The lyrics to Oren Lavie's song Did You Really Say No depict the emotions and confusion of the singer after a relationship ends. The singer remembers moments with the other person where they thought they were happy, but later realizes that they misinterpreted the signals. The line "Did you really say 'No'? Well, I thought you meant 'Yes'" indicates that the singer misunderstood the other person's feelings and actions. The shadows in the person's hair and the flowers on their dress represent the beauty and mystery of the other person, which the singer was drawn to. However, as time passes, things change, and the flowers turn red and the shadows grow tall, indicating that the relationship has become dark and twisted.
The repetition of the line "Baby, baby on the floor, what did you come here for, or did you really say 'No'?" in the song provides a sense of confusion and frustration. The singer is trying to understand why the other person ended the relationship and questioning whether they ever truly meant to be together. The line "baby you used to grow old" suggests that the singer had imagined a future with the other person, but now that possibility seems lost.
Overall, the song explores the pain and confusion of a failed relationship, highlighting the difficulty of understanding others' emotions and intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you really say "No"?
Are you sure you declined my request?
Well I thought you meant "Yes"
I misinterpreted your response as a positive one.
There were shadows in your hair
I noticed dark areas on your head.
There were flowers on your dress
I observed blooming plants on your clothing.
And the flowers grew wild
The plants bloomed uncontrollably.
And the shadows turned to trees
The dark areas transformed into tall vegetation.
Were you happy as a child?
Were you pleased during your younger years?
I saw you dancing in the breeze
I witnessed you moving gracefully in the wind.
Baby, baby on the floor
Hey, you down there,
What did you come here for or
What was your purpose for arriving,
Did you really say "No"?
Did you truly refuse my entreaty?
Baby you used to grow old
You used to age along with me.
Did you really say "No"?
Did you really turn down my offer?
Well I thought you meant "Please"
I assumed you wanted me to proceed.
You were happy as a child
You felt joyous when you were young.
I was known to mind a youth
I was familiar with taking care of the young.
Then the flowers turned red
The blossoms changed color to a shade of red.
And the shadows grew tall
The darkness stretched upwards.
Did I make you disappear?
Did I cause you to vanish?
Were you ever here at all?
Did you exist here in any way?
Baby, baby on the floor
Hey, you down there,
What did you come here for or
What was your purpose for arriving,
Did you really say "No"?
Did you truly refuse my entreaty?
Baby you used to grow old
You used to age along with me.
Baby, baby on the floor
Hey, you down there,
What did you come here for or
What was your purpose for arriving,
Did you really say "No"?
Did you truly refuse my entreaty?
Baby I used to know how
I was once certain of my abilities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Oren Lavie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind