Casey Stratton (born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1976) is an American pop-rock… Read Full Bio ↴Casey Stratton (born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1976) is an American pop-rock singer-songwriter and musician.

Beginning violin lessons at the age of 8, Stratton followed quickly with cello lessons at 10, the piano at 11, and guitar at 16. It was through the piano that Stratton discovered a passion for writing and performing songs. After moving to Los Angeles in 1995, Casey signed with Magic Records. Work then began on the recordings that would eventually become his first full-length release, The Giver and the Grave Digger, which was released in 1996.

In 1997, after deciding not to renew his contract with Magic Records, Stratton began his first self-produced album, Lily Sleeps.

In the summer of 2000 Stratton moved to Chicago where he began a nearly two year hiatus from the record industry. He immersed himself in writing and recorded an independent album called The Winter Children. Many of these tracks would be re-recorded later and included on his Sony release Standing at the Edge.

Stratton's 6th studio album, "DIVIDE", was released in October 2005 on Stratton's independent label, Sleeping Pill Music. His next album, The Crossing, was released in April 2007. This was followed by Orbit, digitally released on February 5, 2008.

Memories and Photographs was released in September 2009, followed by A Winter Moon, an album of holiday music, in December 2009. Casey's next project, Myth & Stars, largely based on Greek Mythology, was released on September 21, 2010.

Harvest
Casey Stratton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"Look how much has happened
In such a short time"
She says to him
One husband, one wife
Two kids, carpools and saturday rides
She says, "so why am I unhappy with my life?"

You race toward something

You don't know what you'll find
But you'll notice it
When you see it, you say

There must be more out there
Waiting silently
You know your place
But you hate it just the same
So leave before the harvest

She knows that everything seems all right
But surfaces can hide what's inside
He says,"I love you but I'm reflecting less light
Than when I was a child of the night"

You race toward something
You don't know what you'll find
But you'll notice it
When you see it, you say

There must be more out there
Waiting silently
You know your place
But you hate it just the same

So leave before the harvest
Say goodbye to your life

Complacency has wrapped you
Inside her sheet
You wish for something to come
And save you

But no one comes
You must take care of yourself

We all learn that
We all learn that

Overall Meaning

The song "Harvest" by Casey Stratton reflects the feeling of dissatisfaction in life despite having everything that should make one happy. The first verse is a conversation between a married couple, where the woman says that she is unhappy with her life even though they have two children, a stable life, and a routine of carpooling and weekend rides. The chorus explains that when one is constantly seeking something more in life, they don't know what they're searching for, but they will know it when they see it. They know their current position but can't help feeling unhappy and wanting more. The line "so leave before the harvest" refers to leaving before it's too late and before they have to face the consequences of not making a change in their life.

The second verse features the husband's thoughts, confessing that he loves his wife, but he feels like he's not as bright as he once was. He has lost his lust for life and doesn't feel the same enthusiasm that he did when he was young. The last verse emphasizes the theme of self-care and learning that we are responsible for our lives' happiness. Waiting for something to come and rescue us won't work; we must take action ourselves.

Overall, the song "Harvest" is about the importance of recognizing when it's time to make a change in our lives, even if it's scary or challenging. It urges us not to be complacent and settle for mediocrity, but to seek out the things that make us happy and fulfilled.

Line by Line Meaning

Look how much has happened
Reflecting on past events, acknowledging substantial change

In such a short time
Despite the short duration of those events

She says to him
Directed to a specific person

One husband, one wife
Referring to a married couple

Two kids, carpools and saturday rides
Listing common family responsibilities

She says, "so why am I unhappy with my life?"
Questioning her current state of being

You race toward something
Implicating the sense of urgency to advance

You don't know what you'll find
The outcome is uncertain

But you'll notice it
Awareness of a definite change

When you see it, you say
Reaction to that change

There must be more out there
Longing for something beyond current circumstances