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.
The Past Comes Back to Haunt Me
Calvin Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know now I was wrong
Broke up without reason
Hearts committing treason
When it's you that I'm wanting
The past comes back to haunt me
There's got to be a way
The games we used to play
The letters you would send
That new look in your eyes
Stops me before I try
I'll never have you near
But don't think I don't care
When it's you that I'm wanting
The past comes back to haunt me
I'm not here to tease you
I just want to see you
But the corner of your eye
Contains a certain smile
Reserved for days gone by
But not for second tries
When it's you that I'm wanting
The past comes back to haunt me
Your heart stares back undaunted
The past comes back, I'm haunted
In "The Past Comes Back to Haunt Me," Calvin Johnson reflects on a past relationship that he now realizes he should not have let go. He acknowledges that he broke up without reason and that his heart was committing treason, meaning that he was being disloyal to himself and his true feelings. The song expresses Johnson's desire to have the person he lost back in his life, as he reminisces about the games they used to play and the letters they used to send. However, he is haunted by the thought that the past cannot be undone, and he may never have the chance to be with this person again.
Throughout the lyrics, Johnson uses powerful and emotive language to convey the intensity of his feelings. The repetition of the phrase "When it's you that I'm wanting" highlights the strength of his desire, while the line "Your heart stares back undaunted" conveys a sense of hopelessness and heartache. He recognizes that there is no easy way to go back in time and fix what went wrong, but he cannot help feeling haunted by the past.
Overall, "The Past Comes Back to Haunt Me" is a beautifully melancholic song that poignantly captures the regret and longing that come with lost love. It is a deeply introspective track that many listeners can relate to, and its somber yet captivating melody is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
I never should have gone
I regret leaving and realize my mistake
I know now I was wrong
I understand that what I did was not right
Broke up without reason
We ended our relationship without a clear cause
Hearts committing treason
Our love turned against us and caused our separation
When it's you that I'm wanting
My desire for you is too strong to ignore
The past comes back to haunt me
Memories of our past relationship keep troubling me
There's got to be a way
I hope there is a solution to our issues
To have you back again
I long to be with you once more
The games we used to play
We had enjoyable activities we did together
The letters you would send
I miss the sweet notes and messages you wrote to me
That new look in your eyes
I noticed a change in your expression that intrigued me
Stops me before I try
My fear of rejection prevents me from taking any action
I'll never have you near
I have accepted that we are not meant to be together
But don't think I don't care
I still have strong feelings for you despite our separation
I'm not here to tease you
I am not playing games or leading you on
I just want to see you
I miss your presence in my life
But the corner of your eye
I notice the subtle gestures and expressions you make
Contains a certain smile
Your smile shows a hint of fondness for our past
Reserved for days gone by
That smile is only for the memories of our past relationship
But not for second tries
You are not interested in giving our relationship another chance
Your heart stares back undaunted
Your emotions are steady and unaffected by my presence
The past comes back, I'm haunted
The memories of our past keep haunting me, making it hard to move on
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.