He has worked with Beck, Heavenly, The Microphones, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Built to Spill among others. He has also produced recordings by many bands.
Calvin Johnson is the founder of K Records in Olympia, Washington, and was one of the major organizers of the seminal International Pop Underground Festival.
His first solo album, "What Was Me", is a quiet acoustic piece about love and loss. On a few songs he sings with no backing guitar, and the effect is haunting.
His second album, "Before the Dream Faded...", is a jazzier piece. It includes multiple collaborators, making it markedly different from his first album. The songs cover an odd range of subjects, such as the size and color of hearts, Lucifer, and falling in love.
He can be found spinning records as Selector Dub Narcotic.
Can We Kiss?
Calvin Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can we find a way to
Sidestep the usual
Strange unveiling?
Strange unveiling
Can we kiss?
Can we kiss?
On the back of your neck
We could meet halfway at your lips,
You graze my cheek
Such a delicious wrist
Can we kiss?
Can we kiss?
Kiss... oh woah woah woah...
What would happen if we happened to kiss?
Would the clouds curl up, would the earth still exist?
Would the stars melt down to a waxen pool?
Would the sky fall down like I'm falling for you?
You... you...
Would I be out of place
To lean over and touch your cheek?
Searching for longing in your face
Oh I barely breathe
There's longing in every step I make
I know your Cupid's bullseye
I'm Cupid's flame-darkened alibi
Are we gonna let this mild contradiction
Keep us from kissing?
Oh...
Can we... now... now... now...
All I wanna know
What I wanna know
Is can we... kiss?
The lyrics of Calvin Johnson's song "Can We Kiss?" explore the desire to kiss someone and the fear and uncertainty that often comes with this vulnerability. The singer asks if they can find a way to sidestep the usual "strange unveiling" that comes with trying to kiss someone, highlighting the awkwardness many people feel in the lead-up to a first kiss. Throughout the lyrics, the singer imagines what it would be like to kiss the person they desire, pondering whether the world would change and whether they would be out of place to lean in and touch the person's cheek. There is a sense of urgency in the repeated refrain of "Can we kiss now?" reflecting the intense desire and anticipation of the moment.
The lyrics are straightforward but capture the complexity and dichotomy of desire and anxiety when it comes to intimate physical contact. This is amplified by the haunting melody and sparse guitar lines, which add a sense of rawness and intimacy to the song. It is clear that the singer is deeply enamored with the person they are addressing, yet they are still unsure and afraid to make the first move.
Line by Line Meaning
What I wanna know is can we kiss?
The singer is asking if it's okay to kiss the person he's talking to.
Can we find a way to Sidestep the usual Strange unveiling?
Can we avoid the usual awkwardness and simply enjoy the experience of kissing each other?
Strange unveiling Can we kiss?
The singer is again questioning if it's okay to kiss and how it might change things between them.
Oh on my arm On the back of your neck We could meet halfway at your lips, You graze my cheek Such a delicious wrist Can we kiss? Can we kiss?
The singer is describing how he and the other person could meet halfway for a kiss and how much he wants it.
What would happen if we happened to kiss? Would the clouds curl up, would the earth still exist? Would the stars melt down to a waxen pool? Would the sky fall down like I'm falling for you? You... you...
The singer is wondering what the consequences of kissing would be, but is willing to risk it anyway because of his feelings for the other person.
Would I be out of place To lean over and touch your cheek? Searching for longing in your face Oh I barely breathe There's longing in every step I make I know your Cupid's bullseye I'm Cupid's flame-darkened alibi Are we gonna let this mild contradiction Keep us from kissing? Oh...
The singer is expressing how much he wants to kiss the other person and is willing to risk his own heart to do so, even if the other person doesn't feel the same way.
Can we... now... now... now...
The singer is expressing his impatience and desire to kiss the other person now.
All I wanna know What I wanna know Is can we... kiss?
The singer is reiterating his desire to kiss the other person and is hoping they feel the same way so they can share an intimate moment together.
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
modestlyneutral
I'm so in love with this song. I think I've listened to it at least 20 times today. Thanks for uploading.
Kravis63
Thank you so much for putting up the album version of this song!
G M
Does anyone have the chords for this? what a sweet song
fandelchef
starts with am, em, bm and then idk but you can kinda figure the song out by listening to it
Craig Harrison
Love is real.
Rafael
this one is good
みゃーこ
good singer !! from japan
Xinamadden
chords? ;/
Marcq
Am I the only here that came from Clairo's playlist?
Delfigalo _
Yea actually