During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
Just Stay
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out in the alley way
He said, You don't look so good
I said, Hey doc, that's great
You started practicing?
I never got the note
So let's shake and trade
And be on our way
So here we are again
Inside your neon shrine
Sharing a chopping block
Under embarrassed light
I tried to hide myself
I tuck myself away
And you both grab hold
Saying "No you don't"
The morning's hot and harsh
My notebook fills itself
The words come thick with sweat
But it feels like someone else
Is writing all of this
Someone I just can't believe
So I mop my brow
Set my pen back down
It's still me, still me
I'm grabbing at a feeling now
That I could never name
Some sign post to remind me
How I wanted things this way
She says you're pretty
But you hate yourself
I could hear it clear as day
I said, I sing like this
It sounds worse than it is
I'm okay, okay
I'm okay, okay
So just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
Just stay, just stay
The lyrics of Kevin Devine's song "Just Stay" are open to interpretation, but on surface level, it seems to be a conversation between the singer and a fickle friend he found in the alleyway. The conversation shifts from talking about the friend's medical practice to the singer's creative work, specifically his writing. The stanza "The morning's hot and harsh/My notebook fills itself/The words come thick with sweat/But it feels like someone else" could suggest that the singer is struggling with his creative process, feeling like his writing comes from somewhere outside of himself. The last section of the song repeats the plea to "just stay," possibly indicating the singer's desire for someone, anyone to stay and offer support, as indicated by the lines "She says you're pretty/But you hate yourself/I could hear it clear as day...I'm okay, okay."
The singer's conversation with his fickle friend may symbolize his own internal conflicts. The alleyway could represent a dark, uncertain place, where the singer is lost and struggling to find direction. The friend's surprise at the singer's disheveled appearance and illness could represent the singer's own surprise and horror at his mental state. The singer's assertion that he is "okay" could be his attempt to reassure not only the fickle friend but also himself that he is in control of his life and creative work.
The repetition of the phrase "just stay" could be interpreted in many ways. It could be a plea for the fickle friend to stick around while the singer struggles with his mental health. It could be a reminder to himself to stay focused on his creative work despite any obstacles he may face. It could also be an acknowledgement that life is tough, but the singer is determined to persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
I found my fickle friend
I met my unfaithful friend
Out in the alley way
In a less lit and less crowded place
He said, You don't look so good
He asked me how I was doing in a concerned way
I said, Hey doc, that's great
I replied in a sarcastic manner
You started practicing?
Did you begin something?
I never got the note
No one informed me
So let's shake and trade
Let's exchange pleasantries and go away
So here we are again
Once again, we find ourselves in the same situation
Inside your neon shrine
In your brightly lit room
Sharing a chopping block
Going through the same difficulties as you
Under embarrassed light
In a situation of discomfort
I tried to hide myself
I attempted to conceal my flaws
I tuck myself away
I retreated to a hidden place
And you both grab hold
But you two held onto me
Saying "No you don't"
Contradicting me and telling me otherwise
The morning's hot and harsh
The morning is intense and grueling
My notebook fills itself
I am writing spontaneously and effortlessly
The words come thick with sweat
The words flow, but it takes effort
But it feels like someone else
But it seems like someone else is writing
Is writing all of this
Is responsible for writing everything
Someone I just can't believe
Someone I cannot comprehend
So I mop my brow
So I wipe my forehead
Set my pen back down
Put my pen back on the table
It's still me, still me
But it's still my own writing
I'm grabbing at a feeling now
I am trying to understand a certain emotion
That I could never name
But I cannot label it accurately
Some sign post to remind me
Something to guide me
How I wanted things this way
To recall the reason I chose this path
She says you're pretty
She thinks you are attractive
But you hate yourself
But you have a negative opinion of yourself
I could hear it clear as day
I heard it clearly
I said, I sing like this
I defend my singing style
It sounds worse than it is
It is not as bad as it seems
I'm okay, okay
I am fine
So just stay, just stay
So please remain here
Just stay, just stay
Just stay with me
Just stay, just stay
Stay by my side
Just stay, just stay
Stay here, don't leave
Just stay, just stay
Please don't go
Just stay, just stay
Just be with me
Just stay, just stay
Stay for the time being
Just stay, just stay
Stay a little longer
Just stay, just stay
Stay with me for a while
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Patrick Devine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind