Born and raised in the eclectic music scene of Missoula, Montana, Aimee developed her appreciation for many types of music, singing in clubs, from Punk to Hip Hop. At first glance, Aimee Allen piques curiosity with a face resembling a perfect blend of Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears, but performs pounding Hip Hop beats, crushing guitars, and Ani-like lyrics delivered with the raw emotion of Kurt Cobain and the raspy wail of Janis Joplin.
Aimee’s cancelled Elektra release in 2002, "I’d Start a Revolution, if I Could Get Up in the Morning," featured Spider as co-writer of five songs and producer of four. Other producers include Mark Ronson and Don Gilmore.
Aimee released a duet album, "Sitting in a Tree", with ex-boyfriend Scott Russo Of Unwritten Law in 2007.
Aimee has a song called "Cooties" on the Hairspray soundtrack. She is the only artist on the soundtrack that isn't in the movie (the song did play during the credits though).
Aimee's latest album "A Little Happiness" was released on July 21, 2009.
Anybody can have their "rock," "punk" or "folk" phase—real artists transcend boundaries and genres so gracefully that their fans hardly blink an eye. Aimee Allen is that type of songwriter. The explosive, outspoken voice behind modern rock monsters "Revolution" and "If It Feels Right" (not to mention contributions to the Grammy-nominated Hairspray soundtrack and multiple best-selling, critically-acclaimed artists) unveils a more serene side of her personality on A Little Happiness. Despite her decision to record the album in the depths of a desolate Indiana winter, Happiness radiates her sense of home in the California sunshine—its 11 introspective, largely acoustic tracks conjure the simple bliss of a drive down to the Pacific.
After separating with boyfriend and collaborator Scott Russo of Unwritten Law (Scott & Aimee collaborated on "Sitting in a Tree" in 2007), Allen’s quest to embark on her solo project was interrupted by a random gang assault outside of an L.A. recording studio last summer. “I never thought I would be able to sing again,” she remarks. “I have some memory loss, too, which is great. Turns out getting nearly beaten to death was probably the greatest thing that ever happened to me.” Allen did recuperate, recovering just in time to perform her songs for punk-rock Presidential candidate Ron Paul before a sold-out arena in Minneapolis. Still, the lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder altered her outlook on music. “Anything that was distorted, loud or angry overloaded my senses,” she says. Reggae always makes me happy, so this record has a lot of that sprinkled in, and I’m excited that I made a record where I can smile and dance onstage, instead of scream at people every night.”
Allen’s strongest collection of songs to date honors the painful journey she took to create them. "I've made a lot of lyrically shocking and dark music in the past. But once you have a brush with death, things change. I'm just stoked I've made a record that shines a little light, ya know?"
http://www.aimeeallen.com
For info on the French singer Aimée Allen, check her last.fm artist page.
Good Times
Aimee Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my empty bottles from here to the door
Stacks of bills that I forgot to pay
Today is a good day
Chain smoke, liquor and coke
I'm leaving Las Vegas, spin the wheel of hope
I'm still waiting for a sign
These are the good times, good times, everything's fine
These are the good times, good times, get out of my mind
Dear mama, I try to do what I should
But we never grow old here in Hollywood
shit is getting drastic, running up my plastic
Good times, good living, I'm on automatic
So I sold my soul to Rock and Roll
Jimmy and Janis they never grew old
Round here we are buying our time,
We just want to get out of our minds
These are the good times, good times, everything's fine
These are the good times, good times, get out of my mind
It don't matter if we do enough and still get paid
Don't matter if we just sleep in all day
Don't matter if we just get high
'Cause all we got to do is love until we die
Chain smoke, liquor and coke
I'm leaving Las Vegas, spin the wheel of hope
I'm still waiting for a sign
I just want to get out of my mind
The lyrics to Aimee Allen's "Good Times" depict a life that, to the outside world, may seem chaotic and unsustainable, but to the singer, is simply a good day. The first few lines describe a messy and cluttered living space with bills piling up, but the chorus suggests that these are the moments of joy and contentment. The lyrics "I just want to get out of my mind" suggest that the singer is seeking to escape from their problems and find solace in the good times.
The second verse introduces the idea of growing old in Hollywood, where the pressure to maintain a certain image and lifestyle is intense. The lyrics "So I sold my soul to Rock and Roll, Jimmy and Janis they never grew old" suggest that the singer has found a way to avoid this pressure by living for the moment and embracing the rockstar lifestyle. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea that these moments of abandon are the good times.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that happiness is not necessarily found in wealth, success, or sobriety, but in living in the present moment and embracing the chaos of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I got cigarettes and futon on the floor
I am living in a messy apartment with little to no furniture
I got my empty bottles from here to the door
I am an alcoholic and have no motivation to clean up my living space
Stacks of bills that I forgot to pay
I am irresponsible with my finances and am likely drowning in debt
Today is a good day
Despite my current situation, I choose to focus on the present and be optimistic
Chain smoke, liquor and coke
I am engaging in self-destructive behavior by using unhealthy coping mechanisms
I'm leaving Las Vegas, spin the wheel of hope
I am desperate to escape my current lifestyle and am willing to take risks in order to do so
I'm still waiting for a sign
I am searching for a reason to change my ways and improve my life
I just want to get out of my mind
I am trying to numb my pain and forget about my problems
These are the good times, good times, everything's fine
Despite my struggles, I choose to focus on the positive and enjoy the moment
Dear mama, I try to do what I should
I feel guilty for my behavior and am aware that I am not living up to my potential
But we never grow old here in Hollywood
The glitz and glamour of Hollywood make it easy to ignore the harsh realities of life
shit is getting drastic, running up my plastic
I am spending money recklessly and do not have a solid financial plan
Good times, good living, I'm on automatic
I am caught up in a cycle of self-indulgence and am not actively trying to change my situation
So I sold my soul to Rock and Roll
I have given up on traditional career paths and have decided to pursue a life in music, even if it means sacrificing my well-being
Jimmy and Janis they never grew old
The music legends of the past had a carefree attitude that I am trying to emulate
Round here we are buying our time,
In this environment, time is a commodity that is being wasted rather than used productively
We just want to get out of our minds
The people around me are also using drugs and alcohol to escape reality
It don't matter if we do enough and still get paid
Money is not a motivator for me or my peers, as long as we can cover our basic expenses
Don't matter if we just sleep in all day
My peers and I have lost the drive to be productive and instead prioritize leisure time
Don't matter if we just get high
Using drugs is a common activity that we do to bond and cope with our problems
'Cause all we got to do is love until we die
Despite our lack of direction, we try to stay positive by focusing on the connections we have with others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS WILLIAM COCHRANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melissa Brennan
Sick song that been around for a long time and way underrated. This is the Aimee I LOVE.
Chris Letti
Cool song, like it. ;-)
Bleh
It took me forever to find this song♡♥♡♥★★★☆★☆¡¿¡¿¿¿¿
Daniel Hagerman
@blacky3llow becuause she is going out of her mind and you dont do that quietly. I love that element to it.
jasoncomplicated
I should hate the CIA for rendition and torture, but why i really hate them is them keeping this album from being released.