Since forming in 2007, the band's combination of danceable rock and soulful songwriting (and brilliantivity) has come to life through a meticulously-crafted and ever-evolving live performance. The band has been instrumental in the growth of New Orleans’ burgeoning indie rock scene, and they have achieved success and notoriety in the city’s competitive musical landscape.
The Revivalists have proven themselves as a live act. They have managed to advance from low-profile local gigs to extensive touring, developing a loyal fan base at home and across the Gulf Coast Region and gaining footholds nationally. Abroad, they have commanded such venues as The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), Sullivan Hall (New York City), Toad’s Place (New Haven, CT), and Smith’s Olde Bar (Atlanta, GA). At home, The Revivalists are regulars at The Howlin’ Wolf, The Republic, and the legendary Tipitina’s. They have shared stages with such notable acts as Perpetual Groove, Marco Benevento, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, The Lee Boys and Snarky Puppy. Additionally, they have established themselves as an engaging festival act, winning over audiences at French Quarter Fest, Crawfest and Foburg Festival in New Orleans, Hamstock Barbecue and Music Festival in Ridgeland, MS, and The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC. Most recently, The Revivalists played the 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There, they caught the attention of Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke, who wrote about their performance on his blog on rollingstone.com.
The Revivalists have also grown as studio musicians. Their first release was listed as an editor’s pick in both the Jam and American Traditional Rock categories on CDBaby.com, despite being a humble five-song EP. Their second release, Vital Signs, is both the band’s first full-length album and a significant step forward in terms of production and scale. The young band was privileged to record under the guidance of Grammy Award-winning producer Chris Finney, whose resumé ranges from Dr. John to R.E.M. Vital Signs is the result of this collaboration. Soon after its release, Vital Signs became the top-selling album on CDBaby in the American Traditional Rock category, and was quickly selected to be featured in their newsletter.
Members:
George Gekas (bass)
Andrew Campanelli (drums)
Zack Feinberg (guitar)
David Shaw (vocals, guitar)
Ed “Steel” Williams (pedal steel guitar)
Rob Ingraham (saxophone, miscellaneous/other)
Wish I Knew You
The Revivalists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know who you are
You're everything beautiful
She's hot, hot like the sun
The loneliest one
Still everything beautiful
Well I'll be god damned
You're standing at my door
We stayed up in the city
Until the stars lost the war
So Friday night, holy ghost
Take me to your level
Show me the one I need the most
I need the most
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
Truth, it's all that you need
You bury that seed
It's everything beautiful
And that sound comes from the underground
It's all inside you now
It's everything beautiful
But what you, what you, what you, what you running from?
And they got, they got, they got, they got you on the run?
So Friday night
Holy ghost
Take me to your level
Show me the one I need the most
I need the most
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh and I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood, yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh and I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood, yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
The Revivalists' song "Wish I Knew You" appears to be about two people who knew each other when they were young, went their separate ways, and somehow reconnected years later. The singer seems to be reminiscing about the past and regrets not having spent more time with this person. The lyrics suggest that the person he is singing about is special and unique ("You shine like a star," "You're everything beautiful"). They must have had chemistry and had a good time together ("We could've got so high").
The singer didn't know what he had when he had it and now that he has found this person again, he doesn't want to miss out on the opportunity to be with them ("Show me the one I need the most, I need the most"). The line "Take me to your level" could suggest that the singer feels the other person is on a higher plane than he is, and he wants to be closer to them or be on a similar level. The overall message of the song seems to be one of nostalgia and longing for a missed opportunity.
The repetition of "Two strangers in the bright lights" could indicate that the singer and the other person are in a completely new situation where they don't know each other as well as they once did. They are two strangers in the middle of the city, just trying to navigate the bright lights and find their way back to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
You shine like a star
You have a radiance and brilliance that draws people in.
You know who you are
You have a clear sense of self and are confident in yourself.
You're everything beautiful
Your beauty and allure is undeniable.
She's hot, hot like the sun
She exudes heat and passion, like the sun's rays.
The loneliest one
Despite her popularity, she feels isolated and disconnected.
Still everything beautiful
Despite her loneliness, she is still captivating and attractive.
Well I'll be god damned
An expression of surprise or disbelief.
You're standing at my door
You've arrived unexpectedly and without warning.
We stayed up in the city
We spent the night out in the city, enjoying its bright lights and energy.
Until the stars lost the war
We stayed out so late that the night sky began to lighten with dawn.
So Friday night, holy ghost
A sense of excitement about the upcoming weekend, where anything can happen.
Take me to your level
Let's connect on a deeper emotional and spiritual level.
Show me the one I need the most
Reveal to me the person who will bring me the most happiness and fulfillment.
I wish I knew you when I was young
Expressing a longing for a deeper connection with this person earlier in life.
We could've got so high
There was potential for incredible experiences and adventures if we had met earlier.
Now we're here it's been so long
Reflecting on the time that has passed and the missed opportunities for connection.
Two strangers in the bright lights
Despite the strong attraction, we are still strangers in a world full of distractions and noise.
Oh I hope you don't mind
Asking for permission or understanding, as we navigate this new connection.
We can share my mood yeah
Let's be vulnerable and open with each other about our emotions and feelings.
Truth, it's all that you need
The only thing that truly matters is honesty and authenticity.
You bury that seed
You must nurture and cultivate the truth within yourself, so that it can grow and flourish.
And that sound comes from the underground
There is a deep and powerful energy that resides within us all, waiting to be unleashed.
It's all inside you now
Your potential for greatness and transformation is already within you, waiting to be realized.
But what you, what you, what you, what you running from?
Asking what fears, doubts, or insecurities are preventing you from achieving your true potential.
And they got, they got, they got, they got you on the run?
Asking whether external factors or societal pressures are holding you back from living your best life.
Maybe we can share my mood
Reiterating the desire to connect on a deeper emotional level, and support each other through life's ups and downs.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew Campanelli, David Shaw, Edward Williams, George Gekas, Michael Daniel Girardot, Robert Ingraham, Zachary Feinberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hannah
on It Was A Sin
I relate emotionally to him in a way I never really thought I would in a song like this. I cheated on my husband and seeking a new start and wanting that so very badly, I can't tell you how much this song relates. The desperation in his voice, admitting he fucked up and wanting to talk to her, not wanting to fight about it and move to something else... because she is making the conscious decision to stay in some way involved with him and he is desperate for a new start, something more or different than the same fight than they have been having. To get to this point, usually it is the same fight for months or even years, where she (or the other partner) just can't or won't let go. It is a desperate moment. He sings it with passion, especially towards the end with the drums. I relate so much. It is like... i fucked up. So badly. And I own that and have Done so much to work on myself and the relationship. But you have to let go if you want to continue.
Thank you for this song.