Joshua Karpeh (born January 30, 1993), known professionally as Cautious Cla… Read Full Bio ↴Joshua Karpeh (born January 30, 1993), known professionally as Cautious Clay, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Karpeh was born on January 30, 1993, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated with a degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University in 2015. Karpeh worked as a real estate agent in New York City for two years and in advertising for a year before pursuing music full-time.

Karpeh learned music production at GW University by remixing beats for friends. His music style is influenced by hip-hop, organic and electronic sounds. He plays multiple instruments including the saxophone, flute, guitar, bass, keyboard and drums.

Known by his stage name Cautious Clay, Karpeh, on September 22, 2017 released "Cold War", the first single from his debut EP Blood Type, which was first released on February 21, 2018, and then re-released on April 13, 2018 with the additional single "Stolen Moments".

Karpeh's second EP Resonance, was first released on May 30, 2018 and then re-released on August 22, 2018 with the additional song "Crowned". His third EP Table of Context, was released on March 27, 2019.

Karpeh played at the 2019 Billy Reid Shindig in Florence, Alabama. He will also feature on the soundtrack of 13 Reasons Why: Season 3 with the song "Swim Home". Swim Home is one of two collaborations with John Mayer, the other is "Carry Me Away", featured on Table of Context.

"Cold War" was sampled on the song "London Boy" for Taylor Swift's seventh studio album Lover (2019).

Cheesin'
Cautious Clay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been knowing that we can't last
Made it all up just to stay with you
Now I'm cheesin' when you blow past, yeah
If you take a slice of me, that's all alright with me

Ooh boy, I never see the smile in your eyes
Yeah, you wear a disguise
Yeah, you're so hard to find

So make up your mind, baby
I don't need no more maybes
And I tried to call you last night
All my friends said, "Stop"

I've been knowing that we can't last
Made it all up just to stay with you
Now I'm cheesin' when you blow past, yeah
If you take a slice of me, that's all alright with me

Well, it's not the same in the mornin'
I'm pickin' up signs that you're leavin'
But we're deep in, so it depends
If this is how you want me then I am yours
Just another body calling me over

I don't know what you want me to say
It's been so long that I'm feeling this way
In your arms is my favorite place
Can we talk? I want you to stay

I thought that everything was changing
I loved the life that we were making
It's not a walk in the park, if I trip in the dark
It's a sign of the times and it's hard

I've been knowing that we can't last
Made it all up just to stay with you
Now I'm cheesin' when you blow past, yeah
If you take a slice of me, that's all alright with me

(It's all alright with me)
(It's all alright with me)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Cheesin'" by Cautious Clay Remi Wolf & Sophie Meiers explore the complex and often confusing emotions that can arise in a relationship that has run its course but still lingers on. The singer acknowledges that they "made it all up just to stay with you," which suggests that there may have been some level of deception or self-deception involved in their decision to continue the relationship. However, despite this awareness, they still find themselves "cheesin'" or smiling when their partner is around, even though they know that the relationship is ultimately unsustainable.

The chorus of the song highlights the singer's willingness to accept whatever happens next in the relationship, even if it means being hurt or losing a part of themselves: "If you take a slice of me, that's all alright with me." This suggests a certain level of resignation or acceptance on the part of the singer, who seems to be ready to move on from the relationship even as they mourn its loss.

The second verse of the song explores the singer's feelings of confusion and uncertainty about their partner's intentions. They mention that their partner "wear(s) a disguise" and is "so hard to find," which suggests that they may be hiding something or not showing their true self in the relationship. The line "I don't need no more maybes" emphasizes the singer's desire for clarity and honesty in the relationship, even if it means facing some difficult truths.

Overall, the lyrics of "Cheesin'" paint a complex and nuanced portrait of a relationship that is both comforting and painful, familiar and foreign, and ultimately unsustainable. The singer acknowledges the challenges of the relationship while also holding onto hope and the possibility of a brighter future.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been knowing that we can't last
I have been aware that our relationship is unlikely to endure

Made it all up just to stay with you
I fabricated a reason to maintain our relationship

Now I'm cheesin' when you blow past, yeah
Now I am smiling widely when I see you pass by

If you take a slice of me, that's all alright with me
If you take a part of me, I am okay with it

Ooh boy, I never see the smile in your eyes
I never see a genuine smile in your eyes

Yeah, you wear a disguise
You are hiding your true self

Yeah, you're so hard to find
It is difficult to understand who you really are

So make up your mind, baby
Please make a decision

I don't need no more maybes
I do not want to hear any more indecisiveness

And I tried to call you last night
I attempted to contact you yesterday

All my friends said, "Stop"
All my friends advised me to stop pursuing you

Well, it's not the same in the mornin'
Things are not the same in the morning

I'm pickin' up signs that you're leavin'
I am noticing indications that you are departing

But we're deep in, so it depends
However, we are strongly involved, so the outcome is uncertain

If this is how you want me then I am yours
If this is how you desire me, then you have me

Just another body calling me over
You are just one of many people trying to gain my attention

I don't know what you want me to say
I am unsure what you expect me to speak

It's been so long that I'm feeling this way
I have been experiencing these emotions for a long time now

In your arms is my favorite place
I feel most content and secure when held in your embrace

Can we talk? I want you to stay
Can we have a conversation? I want you to remain here

I thought that everything was changing
I believed that things were evolving

I loved the life that we were making
I enjoyed the life we were building together

It's not a walk in the park, if I trip in the dark
The situation is not easy; hardships are to be expected

It's a sign of the times and it's hard
It is an indication of the current era and it is difficult

It's all alright with me
I am okay with it

(It's all alright with me)
(I am okay with it)

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SUNDAE SONGS LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sven Eric Gamsky, Remi Francis Wolf, Claudia Mintz, Hanz Anthony Quiben Galvez, Joshua Karpeh, Melanie Faye, Sophie Meiers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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