Born in California, and raised in Virginia, Chris has built a reputation for uplifting and emotive solo shows in New York's lower east side, as well as inspiring collaborations with musician friends also coming up in the New York music scene - especially his close friend and longtime tour mate Matt Simons ("Catch & Release", "With You"). Chris has played over 1000 shows throughout America and Europe the past few years, and self-released his most recent album The Noise, which he coproduced with Grammy-winning producer Will Hensley.
"On The Blvd", Chris's new single, is out now on Sony Music -- he will be supporting Matt Simons on his European tour this spring, and touring behind his new material throughout 2016.
https://www.facebook.com/chrisayer/
Selfish
Chris Ayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is everyone′s asleep
When I'm up late in L.A.
I want to call and talk to you
About how we used to be
What do you think of me?
And I can't help it
Cause I've been talking to myself for all this time
Yeah, I guess I′m selfish
I′m a cross-eyed Elvis
It's taken far too long for me to realize
That I could′ve tried
Mmm Mmm Mmm
The hardest part of starting everyday
Is knowing you're awake
And there′s nothing left to say
I meant to print those pictures
Of the trip we took to France
When we had a chance
But I guess I'm selfish
And I can′t help it
Cause I've been talking to myself for all this time
Yeah, I guess I'm selfish
I′m a cross-eyed Elvis
It′s taken far too long for me to realize
That I could've tried
Mmm mmm mmm
These arms around me
They won′t find me
Cause I've got hiding in my blood
It′s the safest thing to love
And I
I hear people talking
But I've been walking on my own
For long enough to call it home
So I guess I′m selfish
And I can't help it
Cause I've been talking to myself for all this time
Yeah I guess I′m selfish
How′d I act so helpless?
It's taken far too long for me to realize
Yeah I guess I′m selfish
And I can't help it
Cause I′ve been talking to myself for all this time
Yeah, I guess I'm selfish
How′d I act so helpless?
It's taken far too long for me to realize
That I could've tried
Mmm mmm mmm
I could′ve tried
Mmm mmm mmm
The lyrics of Chris Ayer's song, Selfish, talk about the difficulty of being far away from someone you care about and the regret that comes with not trying hard enough to stay connected. The first verse speaks of the isolation that comes with being up late in Los Angeles while everyone else is asleep, and the desire to call and talk to someone about their past relationship. The second verse talks about how starting each day is difficult because the person he cares about is awake, yet there is nothing left to say between them. The chorus repeats the phrase "I guess I'm selfish," which can be interpreted as feelings of guilt over not being able to stay connected with someone he has a history with.
The song's bridge talks about how he feels safe being alone with his thoughts and that he has been on his own for so long that it has become his home. However, he still recognizes that his lack of effort to maintain his past relationships is selfishness, and it has taken him too long to realize that he could have tried harder. Overall, the lyrics are melancholic and nostalgic, reflecting on the past and the regret that comes with not trying hard enough to maintain relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
The hardest part of moving far away
Leaving a place you're familiar with makes things difficult for everyone.
Is everyone's asleep
When you're awake at an odd hour, you can't reach out to anyone since they've all gone to bed.
When I'm up late in L.A.
The singer is in L.A. and sometimes stays up later than he should.
I want to call and talk to you
The artist feels a need to reach out to someone who used to be important.
About how we used to be
The artist wants to discuss his past relationship with the person he's trying to contact.
What do you think of me?
The singer is unsure of how the other person perceives him.
I guess I'm selfish
Admitting that he is overly focused on his own needs.
And I can't help it
Despite knowing he is being selfish, he can't seem to control it.
Cause I've been talking to myself for all this time
Often having no one to talk to, the artist has conversations with himself instead.
I'm a cross-eyed Elvis
Feels like he is an entertainer who can't seem to see straight.
It's taken far too long for me to realize
He should've learned this lesson earlier.
That I could've tried
The artist recognizes that he could have put more effort into his relationship.
The hardest part of starting everyday
Some days just feel more difficult to start than others.
Is knowing you're awake
Knowing the other person is awake, but not being able to talk to them for some reason.
And there's nothing left to say
When you've run out of ideas, suggestions, or things to talk about- whatever that may be.
I meant to print those pictures
The artist had plans to keep records of certain events but forgets to follow through.
Of the trip we took to France
The pictures are of a trip that he took to France with someone.
When we had a chance
When they were in a better place in their relationship.
These arms around me
Someone holding the singer in their arms.
They won't find me
The artist isn't ready to be in a relationship or open up to anyone.
Cause I've got hiding in my blood
He has made an art form out of hiding his true feelings.
It's the safest thing to love
Living alone and being disconnected is a safer way to live - one that doesn't expose you to pain.
And I hear people talking
The outside world is still happening even though the singer keeps to himself.
But I've been walking on my own
Refusing the help or advice of others when he is ready to change.
For long enough to call it home
Feels comfortable in his self-imposed loneliness that it feels like home.
How'd I act so helpless?
Feeling inadequate to take charge of his life.
I could've tried
Looking back, the singer realizes that he could have made more efforts to connect with others.
Writer(s): Christopher Norton Ayer
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.