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).

Elsewhere
Cautious Clay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ohhhhhh ohhhh ohhh (x4)

She didn't come this far
to go elsewhere
an fuck if I care
Cus we don't ever play fair

I made a mess thus far

With time to spare
But fuck if they care
In a stone cold stair

You acting like you been washed out
Ya traveling the safe route
Level headed like a scape goat

Chorus:
3 credit cards 2 jobs
An no health care
Fuck what they say
They living in fear

Expectations
Set high
The move was clear
So fuck what they say
Yeah I'm still here

Pour out a glass
1 toast
to all my peers

Fuck ya fake friends

They trying to make ends

(She) down for the cause
No time to set things clear

That's the minute I know

We in Con-trol

But you acting like
we were washed out

Ya traveling the safe route

Level headed Like a scape goat

Chorus:
3 credit cards 2 jobs
(An no) health care
Fuck what hey say
they living in fear

Expectations
Set high
My move was clear
So fuck what they say
and yeah I'm still here

Ohhhhhh ohhhh ohhh (x4)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cautious Clay's song "Elsewhere" convey a sense of defiance and self-assurance in the face of societal expectations and pressures. The song opens with an echoing chant, setting a contemplative mood. The first verse reflects on the challenges faced by the singer and their determination not to conform to others' expectations. They acknowledge that they may have made mistakes along the way, but they are unbothered by what others think. The line "Cus we don't ever play fair" suggests a refusal to adhere to societal conventions and a desire to carve their own path.

In the chorus, the lyrics delve into the struggle of living in a society that values materialistic success over genuine wellbeing. The reference to "3 credit cards 2 jobs" and "no health care" highlights the pressures to juggle multiple responsibilities in pursuit of a certain lifestyle. However, the singer rejects these expectations, asserting that they are still here despite what others may say.

The second verse continues to challenge societal norms and the pressure to conform, referring to "fake friends" who only care about their own interests. The line "They trying to make ends" suggests that these friends are more concerned with their own success than genuine connection. The singer finds solace in someone who is "down for the cause," implying a supportive and authentic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

She didn't come this far
She has worked hard and overcome obstacles to reach this point

to go elsewhere
only to leave and pursue something different

an fuck if I care
and I don't care about it

Cus we don't ever play fair
because we don't adhere to conventional rules or fairness

I made a mess thus far
I have made mistakes up until now

With time to spare
and with plenty of time remaining

But fuck if they care
but they don't care about it

In a stone cold stair
in a cold and indifferent manner

You acting like you been washed out
You are behaving as if you have already lost relevance or importance

Ya traveling the safe route
You are taking the predictable and cautious path

Level headed like a scape goat
Being composed and calm like someone who takes blame for others' actions

3 credit cards 2 jobs
Juggling multiple credit cards and two jobs

An no health care
And without access to healthcare

Fuck what they say
Disregard their opinions

They living in fear
They are driven by fear

Expectations
Pressure to meet certain standards

Set high
Are set at a demanding level

The move was clear
The decision was obvious

So fuck what they say
So disregard their opinions

Yeah I'm still here
I am still present and thriving

Pour out a glass
Raise a glass in celebration

1 toast
A single toast

to all my peers
to honor and acknowledge my colleagues

Fuck ya fake friends
Disregard those who pretend to be friends

They trying to make ends
They are solely focused on their own benefit

(She) down for the cause
She is dedicated to the purpose

No time to set things clear
Not enough time to clarify things

That's the minute I know
That is when I realize

We in Con-trol
We are in control of our own destiny

But you acting like
But you are behaving as if

we were washed out
we have already lost relevance or importance

My move was clear
My decision was obvious

So fuck what they say
So disregard their opinions

and yeah I'm still here
and yes, I am still present and thriving

Ohhhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Repeating the musical refrain

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Joshua Karpeh, Micah Premnath

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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