William Fitzsimmons
William Fitzsimmons (born 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, based in … Read Full Bio ↴William Fitzsimmons (born 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, based in Illinois/. He is perhaps best-known for his songs "Passion Play" and "Please Don't Go", which aired during pivotal scenes in the TV medical drama Grey's Anatomy.
Fitzsimmons was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of two blind parents. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, Fitzsimmons' childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. The house was suffused with pianos, guitars, trombones, talking birds, classical records, family sing-a-longs, bedtime stories, and the bellowing of a pipe organ, which his father built into the house with his own hands.
When his father's orchestral records were not resonating through the walls, his mother would educate him on the folk stylings of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel. By the completion of his youth and schooling, Fitzsimmons had become well-versed at a variety of instruments, at the minor expense of social standing, interactional skills, and a knowledge of proper shaving technique.
Fitzsimmons' path into music was likewise unusual, forsaking the hobby for many years to work with the mentally ill and pursue an education in the field of mental health. It was during his last semester of graduate school that William pooled money from past birthdays, holidays, and snow shoveling outings, and bought cheap home recording equipment to begin creating songs again (the first collection of which eventually became his debut album).
After finally achieving his goal of becoming a practicing therapist, William left, and returned again to his love of crafting and playing songs. He felt that is where he most belonged. Somewhere between a singing therapist, and a counselor who writes songs, is where Fitzsimmons endeavors to be. Using songs to address matters that he believes need to be addressed.
William draws from those early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith, not only for his unique style and skill in writing and proclivity to deal with substantive and evocative subject matter, but also for his use of organic and colorful melodies and arrangements.
His first two records were completely self-produced, Until When We Are Ghosts and Goodnight. Fitzsimmons' friend Ingrid Michaelson joined him with vocals on Goodnight.
The Sparrow And The Crow, was his first studio recorded work, released in September 2008. The album debuted extremely well at #56 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, and #1 on the iTunes Folk Chart.
While his lyricism deals often with darker undertones (The Sparrow and The Crow album was written following his divorce), a measure of hopefulness is always carefully blended in.
William candidly expresses the process of making The Sparrow And The Crow as follows: “I wrote it first and foremost as a confession and apology to my former wife. It was a way to say things that I needed her to hear that I didn't know how else to say. Second, as a way to exercise the pain from what I'd easily call the worst year of my life. And third, as a way to let others in pain have a way to express and deal with their trouble, and perhaps find some hope at the end of it. It's not a divorce record, or even a “break up" record in the traditional sense, although certainly it contains elements of both. Instead, it's a record about messing up everything, and trying to find a way back home." - AllAboutJazz.com 9/2008His latest album, Derivatives, a novel remix of The Sparrow and The Crow, was released in May 2010 through Mercer Street Records to strong reviews. Pink Ganter's remix of the song So This Is Goodbye is a critic favorite. Also of note, Fitzsimmons covers Kate Perry's I Kissed A Girl, called "a brave move, but a move that completely pays off." by TheFourOhFive.com's Leah Henson. More from Henson's review:
Before a second of music is played, Derivatives is already a fascinating album. The very idea of the delicate, heartfelt and evocative melodies of the previous album from William Fitzsimmons, The Sparrow and the Crow, being re-imagined and remixed to give them a positive spin is an idea that could possibly have terrible repercussions. Fortunately, the remixes are tastefully done and don’t squeeze every bit of essence from the original songs. Instead of unrecognisable songs being created, as so often is the way with remixes, Derivatives is an assembly of songs developed beautifully, creating a continuation from the songs on The Sparrow and the Crow. Electro blips, synths and heavy basslines now accompany Fitzsimmons’ mournful voice, adding to the songs rather than removing key elements from them. ... The intriguing thing about this album is the fact that the songs can be enjoyed on various levels. For a William Fitzsimmons fan who has listened to The Sparrow and the Crow and knows every little nuance of each song, Derivatives is a continuation, welcomed with open arms. - TheFourOhFive.com 5/2010With his expanding tenure as a songwriter, William has received mentions in noted publications such as Billboard, Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, Performing Songwriter Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, among others. Fitzsimmons' music has been featured on several television programs such as Grey's Anatomy and Army Wives.
Fitzsimmons' music is available on iTunes and from his web store and myspace page.
Fitzsimmons was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of two blind parents. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, Fitzsimmons' childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. The house was suffused with pianos, guitars, trombones, talking birds, classical records, family sing-a-longs, bedtime stories, and the bellowing of a pipe organ, which his father built into the house with his own hands.
When his father's orchestral records were not resonating through the walls, his mother would educate him on the folk stylings of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel. By the completion of his youth and schooling, Fitzsimmons had become well-versed at a variety of instruments, at the minor expense of social standing, interactional skills, and a knowledge of proper shaving technique.
Fitzsimmons' path into music was likewise unusual, forsaking the hobby for many years to work with the mentally ill and pursue an education in the field of mental health. It was during his last semester of graduate school that William pooled money from past birthdays, holidays, and snow shoveling outings, and bought cheap home recording equipment to begin creating songs again (the first collection of which eventually became his debut album).
After finally achieving his goal of becoming a practicing therapist, William left, and returned again to his love of crafting and playing songs. He felt that is where he most belonged. Somewhere between a singing therapist, and a counselor who writes songs, is where Fitzsimmons endeavors to be. Using songs to address matters that he believes need to be addressed.
William draws from those early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith, not only for his unique style and skill in writing and proclivity to deal with substantive and evocative subject matter, but also for his use of organic and colorful melodies and arrangements.
His first two records were completely self-produced, Until When We Are Ghosts and Goodnight. Fitzsimmons' friend Ingrid Michaelson joined him with vocals on Goodnight.
The Sparrow And The Crow, was his first studio recorded work, released in September 2008. The album debuted extremely well at #56 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, and #1 on the iTunes Folk Chart.
While his lyricism deals often with darker undertones (The Sparrow and The Crow album was written following his divorce), a measure of hopefulness is always carefully blended in.
William candidly expresses the process of making The Sparrow And The Crow as follows: “I wrote it first and foremost as a confession and apology to my former wife. It was a way to say things that I needed her to hear that I didn't know how else to say. Second, as a way to exercise the pain from what I'd easily call the worst year of my life. And third, as a way to let others in pain have a way to express and deal with their trouble, and perhaps find some hope at the end of it. It's not a divorce record, or even a “break up" record in the traditional sense, although certainly it contains elements of both. Instead, it's a record about messing up everything, and trying to find a way back home." - AllAboutJazz.com 9/2008His latest album, Derivatives, a novel remix of The Sparrow and The Crow, was released in May 2010 through Mercer Street Records to strong reviews. Pink Ganter's remix of the song So This Is Goodbye is a critic favorite. Also of note, Fitzsimmons covers Kate Perry's I Kissed A Girl, called "a brave move, but a move that completely pays off." by TheFourOhFive.com's Leah Henson. More from Henson's review:
Before a second of music is played, Derivatives is already a fascinating album. The very idea of the delicate, heartfelt and evocative melodies of the previous album from William Fitzsimmons, The Sparrow and the Crow, being re-imagined and remixed to give them a positive spin is an idea that could possibly have terrible repercussions. Fortunately, the remixes are tastefully done and don’t squeeze every bit of essence from the original songs. Instead of unrecognisable songs being created, as so often is the way with remixes, Derivatives is an assembly of songs developed beautifully, creating a continuation from the songs on The Sparrow and the Crow. Electro blips, synths and heavy basslines now accompany Fitzsimmons’ mournful voice, adding to the songs rather than removing key elements from them. ... The intriguing thing about this album is the fact that the songs can be enjoyed on various levels. For a William Fitzsimmons fan who has listened to The Sparrow and the Crow and knows every little nuance of each song, Derivatives is a continuation, welcomed with open arms. - TheFourOhFive.com 5/2010With his expanding tenure as a songwriter, William has received mentions in noted publications such as Billboard, Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, Performing Songwriter Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, among others. Fitzsimmons' music has been featured on several television programs such as Grey's Anatomy and Army Wives.
Fitzsimmons' music is available on iTunes and from his web store and myspace page.
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William Fitzsimmons Lyrics
05. Please Don't Go There are words inside my bedroom Scribbled all across the …
17 Forever Take your pick of my limbs, I was Choking fire from…
After Afterall I still love you I still want you I still need you After…
Afterall I still love you after all i still love you after…
Afterlife This is the last time That I don't remember your name 'Cause…
Angela I can't believe that we burned through this whole pack…
Annie's Song All VideosImagesShoppingNewsMore Tools About 177,000 results…
Beautiful Girl Unfurl your gown A distant fuller skin I knew you once My G…
Bird of Winter Prey Be still Bird of winter prey Lay down Your faster thinning f…
Blood and Bones Are you falling towards the evening From the last light tha…
Blood/Chest Come quickly, flood to drown This soil is hard I've found It…
Body for My Bed This is my last chance to ever make it right before…
Brandon I could love you I would sew the seeds again If you…
By My Side I still hear you calling When sleep is escaping me I still…
Candy She faces me with constenation In her eyes Though shes fac…
Centralia I offer myself to you Though I am a broken thing The…
Distant Lovers You can take the kids on Tuesday and Every other weekend I'l…
Don Hold on this will Hurt more than anything has before What it…
Even Now How long should I wait Before I let you go? How long…
Ever Could Don't it feel like rain today? Still I think we walk You…
Everything Has Changed Today i saw my father standing in the graveyard looking ver…
Fade and Then Return I've been locked out For twenty years or so What is this…
Falling On My Sword I was singled out for pushing at the wrong door…
Find It in Me This house is full of secrets that i have kept from…
Find Me To Forgive You were the only thing I ever loved But taken for…
Find My Way Home My children are born But I’m still half afraid They’ll tur…
Forsake All Others I've waited for this day for such a long time you…
Fortune There's fortune in the furlough On the other side Wrap ourse…
From the Water Hold up your arms, I don't see you Let tide return Your…
From You How long should I hold out the hope that I'm…
Funeral Dress On a rack in a store for a discount price But…
Further From You Box springs are stained with yellow pillows Held our heads d…
Gold in Shadow And she comes to me when I am in my…
Goodmorning Moonlight will fall Winter will end Harvest will come You…
Goodnight Last night we watched our favorite tv shows you packed my…
Hear Your Heart [Verse 1] She is like the water where I clean my…
Hold On We were proud and young A broken fool with lover's smile She…
Hold On With My Open hands If I had known you better I could probably get…
I Don't Feel It Anymore Hold on this will Hurt more than anything has before What it…
I Don't Love You Anymore I would sell you for a box of tissues if i…
I Dont Feel It Anymore Hold on this will Hurt more than anything has before What it…
I Dont Love You Anymore I would sell you for a box of tissues if i…
I Kissed a Girl This was never the way I planned, not my intention I…
If You Would Come Back Home There's room between your heart And the chair where I've bee…
In the Light Covered up in crimson You look like the day we first…
It's Not True Should I decide it's true That you would leave if given…
Josie No I'm not the one who makes the body and…
Just Not Each Other Walked back home from this disaster Saw your ghost under the…
Kylie She spent most her life on the floor with her…
Learning to Fly Well I started out down a dirty road Started out all…
Leave Her She fills the air around me now With lavender and grace This…
Leave Me By Myself She’s not the one I would choose if I was…
Let You Break To cut out the figure The grounding of this Let melancholic …
Lions And after the rains came And washed out her remnant And aga…
Lovely She walks on the water from where I stand And she…
Maybe Be Alright I never knew what it was like to be alone I…
Mend Your Heart She is like the water where I clean my baby Floating…
My Life Changed You had this pattern of repeating every word that you…
Never Let You Go I burned every single letter after your phone call And I…
Never Really Mine Did I meet you in the morning I can never tell We…
Passion Play I should not have hid where my heart can't follow 'Cause…
Pittsburgh Should you survive the fall From branches we have climbed…
Please Don There are words inside my bedroom Scribbled all across the w…
Please Forgive Me My demons walk with me They told me not to leave…
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want Good times for a change See, the luck I've had Can make…
Problem of Pain Dialogue on weather, breeding in the pound Fateful first-ti…
Psychasthenia Could you map this globe With a torment slowly rose To a…
Second Hand Smoke White lines White sky Light through a sliding glass door, I …
Shattered Broadest road that I can travel I am drawn by what…
Sister I'm overwhelmed She stopped in for a spell I found the true …
So This Is Goodbye Within half an hour you will be gone and I…
Speak Take me back farther south Able still, now they're gone I w…
The Problem of Pain Dialogue on weather, breeding in the pound Fateful first-tim…
The Tide Pulls from the Moon So like your Father in the face and blood Terrified and cold…
The Winter from Her Leaving Shove me out to see The sea The quiet of December To the…
They'll Never Take the Good Years Don’t put your faith in my heart I will only let…
Tied to Me And all of these days they pass like Water Should I even…
Took Oh my God, is it over? Smiling devil on my shoulder Cut…
Wait for Me Doesn't matter to the sun If we find it out Both of…
We Feel Alone Mom and dad parted ways We were young and [Incomprehensible]…
Well Enough And you're finally out As he draw you're first And the air…
What Hold What hold this has on you Heavy shoulder Your feet tied to…
When I Come Home Ain't seen you in quite awhile. Seems I forgot how your…
When You Were young 15 months and they would Drag you from your throne But you…
Wounded Head How this feels like a floating For the physical form you…
You Broke My Heart Fourteen years is all you made it till forgiveness was frus…
You Can Close Your Eyes Well the sun is surely sinking down But the moon is…
You Still Hurt Me I'm not comfortable with how we never talk And I miss…
You Still Hurt Me feat. Rosi Golan I'm not comfortable with how we never talk And I've missed…