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.
Supply & Demand
Amos Lee Lyrics
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Seems I'm gettin? down everyday
The more I strive, the less I'm alive
And it seems I'm gettin? further away
Oh well, all my superstitions
And my crazy suspicions
Of the people that I care about
I've been doin? more screamin?
Than I've been doin? dreamin?
And I think it?s time I figured it out
Yeah, baby I need a plan, oh, to understand
That life ain't only supply and demand
I've been goin? joggin? in the park after dark
Draggin? ?round with me my ball and chain
Took southern skies to make me realize
That I'm causin? myself this pain
Well, the woman that I'm lovin?
Yeah, I'm pushin? and shovin?
Getting further on by the day
And I can't understand
How the heart of this man
Ever let it end up this way
Baby, I need a plan, oh, to understand
That life ain't only supply and demand
When the road gets dark and lonesome, dear
You can find me here
But honey, you don't know where I am
You need a friend, yeah
Life ain't easy, in fact I know it?s sleazy
When you're the big man in town
Shakin? religions and makin? decisions
You never get to slow on down
Well, your wife and your baby
You tell them, ?Yeah, well maybe
I?ll meet why?all at a weekend resort?
But your eye's on the prize
And you can't realize
That your little girl?s life?s so short
Brother, you need a plan, oh, to understand
That life ain't only supply and demand
Yeah, sister you need a plan, oh, to understand
That life ain't only supply and demand
Hey, you better figure it out now
You know you ain't comin? back down, yeah
You better figure it out now
You know you ain't comin? back down
"Supply and Demand" by Amos Lee is a song about self-reflection and the realization of the impact of one's actions on oneself and others. The lyrics express the singer's frustration with his life and the feeling of getting further away from his goals despite his efforts. He attributes this to his superstitions and crazy suspicions about the people he cares about. He confesses to doing more screaming than dreaming, and it's time to figure things out.
The singer takes responsibility for his actions in the relationship he's in and realizes the pain he's causing himself and his partner, and he doesn't understand how he let it end up this way. He acknowledges that life is sleazy, especially when you're the big man in town, and you're busy shaking religions and making decisions without slowing down. The lyrics imply that people can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, forgetting what's truly important, such as their loved ones.
The chorus "Baby, I need a plan, oh, to understand that life ain't only supply and demand" emphasizes the singer's need for a plan to understand that life is more than just materialistic things. The song ends with a repetitive phrase reminding listeners that they better figure it out now because they're not coming back down.
Line by Line Meaning
Somethin gotta give with the way I'm livin?
I am not happy with my life and there needs to be a change.
Seems I'm gettin down everyday
I feel worse and worse each day.
The more I strive, the less I'm alive
Trying harder and harder is not making me feel any better.
And it seems I'm gettin further away
My efforts to improve my life are actually pushing me farther from my goals.
Oh well, all my superstitions
My beliefs and fears are not helping me.
And my crazy suspicions
My paranoid thoughts about others are not good for me.
Of the people that I care about
My mistrust of others who are important to me is causing issues.
I've been doin more screamin
I have been expressing my anger more often.
Than I've been doin dreamin
I have not been imagining a better future for myself.
And I think it's time I figured it out
It is time for me to come up with a solution to my problems.
Yeah, baby I need a plan, oh, to understand
I need a concrete idea of how to change my life for the better.
That life ain't only supply and demand
Life is not simply a matter of obtaining what we want.
I've been goin joggin in the park after dark
I have been exercising a lot lately.
Draggin 'round with me my ball and chain
I am burdened by something that is holding me back.
Took southern skies to make me realize
I had to go somewhere else to find clarity.
That I'm causin myself this pain
I am responsible for the pain and stress in my life.
Well, the woman that I'm lovin
The woman I love
Yeah, I'm pushin and shovin
I am not treating her well.
Getting further on by the day
I am damaging our relationship more and more every day.
And I can't understand
I do not know why
How the heart of this man
I, as a man, could act this way.
Ever let it end up this way
How did things become so bad with her?
When the road gets dark and lonesome, dear
When I feel lost and alone
You can find me here
I will be here in this place of sadness.
But honey, you don't know where I am
I am struggling alone in my thoughts.
You need a friend, yeah
I need someone to help me through these difficult times.
Life ain't easy, in fact I know it’s sleazy
Life is hard and sometimes unfair.
When you're the big man in town
When you are successful and powerful.
Shakin religions and makin decisions
Making bold choices and influencing others.
You never get to slow on down
You do not have time to relax and enjoy life.
Well, your wife and your baby
Your family
You tell them, Yeah, well maybe
You brush off their needs and wants.
I’ll meet why'all at a weekend resort?
You make promises you do not keep.
But your eye's on the prize
You are too focused on achieving your goals.
And you can't realize
You do not understand
That your little girl’s life’s so short
The importance of spending time with your child and appreciating every moment.
Brother, you need a plan, oh, to understand
You need a plan to improve your life.
Yeah, sister you need a plan, oh, to understand
You, sister, also need a plan.
Hey, you better figure it out now
It is important to come up with a plan as soon as possible.
You know you ain't comin back down, yeah
Things will not magically get better on their own.
You better figure it out now
The sooner you figure things out, the better.
You know you ain't comin back down
It is time to make positive changes in your life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind