A veteran of the small club circuit, particularly in and around his native New York City, Hest recorded and issued his first three albums on his own. Incomplete (1999), a collection of six songs, was originally intended as a demo to circulate among club owners to help secure performing engagements. Incomplete began selling well at shows, and led to the production of two more full-length albums, Come Home (2001) and Story after Story (2003). Hest's first commercial release from a national record label, Someone to Tell, was released by Columbia Records in 2004.
NOW
Ari Hest Lyrics
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Day wake from its sleep
I shiver, watching all the
Stillness spring to life
Cold blue roads surround the
Glum and weary leaving
Soon but not before the
It's true, we are, oblivious
Content to just survive
But I quit, you win, it's over
Let go, give up control yeah
All we got
All we got
All we got is now
Children dance around
The sprinkler, they chase after each other
Interested in nothing
Aside what they’re doing
It seems so obvious
Somehow we lose our way
Lay down, release, your hold yeah
These ways have grown us older
These ways have grown us older
OK, I quit, you win
OK, I quit, you win
But I quit, you win, it's over
Let go, give up control yeah
But I quit, you win, it's over
Let go, give up, recover, recover
The lyrics in Ari Hest's "Now" convey a sense of urgency and reflection on the fleeting nature of time. He describes the beauty of the day waking up from its sleep and the stillness of life suddenly springing to life. Hest juxtaposes this with the blueness and weariness of the roads surrounding him. The moon fades out of sight and the poet reflects on how we, as humans, are often content to just survive and be oblivious to the beauty around us. The chorus insists that all we have is now and encourages us to let go of control.
The second verse takes a more melancholic turn as the singer watches children dance around the sprinkler. They are so absorbed in the moment that nothing else seems to matter to them. The singer admires this innocence and seems to regret that somehow, we lose our way as we grow older. The final lines reiterate the sentiment of the chorus, urging us to lay down our hold and recover by giving up control.
The song seems to be urging us to live in the moment and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. It reminds us that we often get bogged down by our responsibilities and forget to enjoy the little things. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, and the melody enhances the powerful message.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever seen the
Have you ever witnessed the beginning of the day?
Day wake from its sleep
The start of the day comes alive from its slumber
I shiver, watching all the
I feel a shiver as I observe all the surroundings
Stillness spring to life
All the immobile things come to life
Cold blue roads surround the
The gloomy and tired people are surrounded by deserted streets
Glum and weary leaving
Depressed and exhausted people are departing
Soon but not before the
However, not before the
Moon fades out of sight
The moon disappears from our sight
It's true, we are, oblivious
Indeed, we are unaware
Content to just survive
We are satisfied with merely existing
But I quit, you win, it's over
I give in and surrender to you, it's the end
Let go, give up control yeah
Release any effort to control the situation
All we got
All we possess
All we got
All we possess
All we got is now
Our only possession is the present moment
Children dance around
Kids are moving in circles
The sprinkler, they chase after each other
Pursuing each other, they run around a garden sprinkler
Interested in nothing
They are not concerned with anything
Aside what they’re doing
Apart from their current activity
It seems so obvious
It appears apparent
Somehow we lose our way
Somehow, we get lost
Lay down, release, your hold yeah
Lie down, relinquish your grip
These ways have grown us older
These methods have aged us
These ways have grown us older
These methods have aged us
OK, I quit, you win
Okay, I give in and you emerge victorious
OK, I quit, you win
Okay, I give up and you win
But I quit, you win, it's over
I give in, you arise as the winner and it's finished
Let go, give up control yeah
Release any effort to control the situation
But I quit, you win, it's over
I give in, you win and it's done
Let go, give up, recover, recover
Abandon your grip, recuperate, recuperate
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