Lee grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA. He has been quoted as saying that he is fortunate to have seen different sides of life in America. Lee enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1995. He began to play guitar and write songs seriously while he studied English. After graduating with an English degree, Lee moved back to Philadelphia to teach elementary school. He later made the tough decision to stop teaching in order to pursue a career in music. Shortly thereafter, he released a self-produced EP that featured five of his original songs, which did extremely well in Philadelphia and created a buzz. Norah Jones was the person who finally gave Lee his big breakthrough when she asked him to open for her 2004 tour. Lee then went on to produce his self-titled debut album. In March and April of 2005 Lee opened for the tour that Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan were both embarking on, all 3 performers were extremely well received by critics as the tour went by, with Dylan receiving some of his strongest reviews in years. On October 3, 2006, Lee released his second album, "Supply & Demand" to critical and commercial acclaim.
At the age of only 27, Amos Lee has enjoyed notable success with his debut album and looks to have a promising future in the music business. His favorite artists and sources of inspiration include Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, John Prine, Bill Withers, and James Taylor.
El Camino
Amos Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm headed out to that Mission Bell
Gonna wash my soul, gonna get it clean
Heading down the border road called the El Camino
Well I've been a prince and you know I've been a post
By a barb wire fence and a murder of crows
I believe in all I've loved and all I have seen
Heading down the border road called the El Camino
Yeah my hearts grown sick,
I've got a shepherds crook as a walking stick
And I'm heading on.
My hearts gone blue and I've done wrong by you
I don't know what to do
But I'm moving on, said I'm moving on
One and one is two, two and two is four
I'm walking back and forth
On your cracked tiled kitchen floor
With the orange juice and the sun that shines
It really breaks my heart leaving you behind,
It really breaks my heart leaving you behind
And all my ships have sailed away
The price of this politic,
That there's plenty of time to prayer
And plenty of time to waste away.
Well to all my friends, that I've loved the most
You know I'm heading out to that other coast
I'm going to wash my soul, and I'm gonna get it clean
Heading down the border road, called the El Camino,
Heading down the border road, called the El Camino.
The song "El Camino" by Amos Lee is a mix of feelings and emotions about leaving everything behind and starting anew. It talks about the confidence and support of those closest to him on his journey, as he heads to what seems to be a pilgrimage towards the Mission Bell to wash his soul and start anew. The song begins with the singer stating how his friends have treated him so well and how he's leaving to head to the Mission Bell. He wants to get his soul washed and to feel clean. He is heading down the border road called the El Camino.
He expresses his mixed feelings of confidence and doubts on this journey. He has been both a prince and a post, been by a barb wire fence, and a murder of crows. He mentions that he believes in all he has loved and seen, but there is an underlying sense of doubt. He blames himself for doing wrong and acknowledges the consequences of his actions. He doesn't know what to do, but he's moving on.
In the end, the singer acknowledges the fact that things are never as black and white as one plus one equals two. He seems to be standing in a broken kitchen and even talking about orange juice, and the sun shining, which could be a representation of better times. He has left everything behind, including sailing ships, but now he's moving on to a new coast. He hopes to wash his soul and feel clean, making him ready for a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Well all my friends treated me so well
I have great friends who have always treated me with kindness and respect.
You know I'm headed out to that Mission Bell
I am leaving where I am and heading towards the mission bell.
Gonna wash my soul, gonna get it clean
I am going to cleanse my soul and make it pure.
Heading down the border road called the El Camino
I am taking the path along the border called El Camino.
Well I've been a prince and you know I've been a post
I have experienced both highs and lows in my life.
By a barb wire fence and a murder of crows
I have been surrounded by negativity and danger.
I believe in all I've loved and all I have seen
I have faith in the things I have loved and the experiences I have had.
Yeah my hearts grown sick,
My heart is heavy and burdened.
I've got a shepherds crook as a walking stick
I am using my staff to guide me on my journey.
And I'm heading on.
I am moving forward and continuing on my journey.
My hearts gone blue and I've done wrong by you
I am feeling sad and remorseful for what I have done to you.
I don't know what to do
I am unsure of how to fix the situation.
But I'm moving on, said I'm moving on
Despite my uncertainty, I am still continuing on my journey.
One and one is two, two and two is four
I am acknowledging the simplicity of basic math.
I'm walking back and forth
I am pacing nervously.
On your cracked tiled kitchen floor
I am walking on your old, worn kitchen floor.
With the orange juice and the sun that shines
I am surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the sun and the sweet taste of orange juice.
It really breaks my heart leaving you behind,
It is painful for me to leave you behind.
And all my ships have sailed away
I have lost all my opportunities and chances.
The price of this politic,
The cost of these policies is too high.
That there's plenty of time to prayer
I have time to pray to help me on my journey.
And plenty of time to waste away.
But I also have plenty of time to waste and be unproductive.
Well to all my friends, that I've loved the most
I am saying goodbye to the friends I have loved the most.
You know I'm heading out to that other coast
I am leaving and heading to a new place.
I'm going to wash my soul, and I'm gonna get it clean
I am going to purify my soul and make it better.
Heading down the border road, called the El Camino,
I am moving forward on the El Camino border road.
Heading down the border road, called the El Camino.
I am still traveling on the El Camino border road.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brendabrown7864
I absolutely love Amos he’s my favorite singer another one of my favorites songs. Gonna listen to Amos till Jesus takes me home. I want his music to playing when my last breath. He’s such a beautiful talented humble man with a beautiful soul 🕊🤎🌹
@hotterone1127
Totally agree with you.
@hotterone1127
Love Amos Lee, his voice, his delivery, everything. Just wonderful. 💚
@brendabrown7864
Love Amos love everything he writes and sings touches deep into my soul 🕊 how could anyone give Amos a thumb down. Guess they don’t know talent when they hear it. My favorite my favorite singer. A fan for life 🤎🌹🥰
@pw4g492
He soothes my soul. He is the only music I’ll listen any more
@AndersOchRobinsLand
This is how music should be done! And no-one does it better!
@manmoderno5274
Man that steel guitar was spot on
@dtjimmyb6340
Easily the best known singer- songwriter of this time. He belongs up with the best of all time in Dylan, Guthrie, Denver, Croce, Chapin, Lightfoot and Croce.
@gailenefuller8330
Yes he is. Fell in love the first time I saw him.Austin City Limits with Zac Brown.Colder December
@MorrisLess
IDK about best known--Ed Sheeran is pretty popular. But Amos gives me a lot more authenticity and feels than Ed.
There are a few other contemporary singer/songwriters I like--Jason Mraz, Sara Barrielles, Jason Isbell, Jack Johnson, Allison Russell, etc. And I think we have to mention James Taylor, whatever generation he belongs to. But Amos certainly holds his own.