Elizabeth Harper is a former drama student from Los Angeles, USA. Harper also pursued a solo career as an indie rock singer-songwriter. She released a studio album Elizabeth Harper in 2004 (2005 in the UK and 2006 in Japan). After the producer Mark Richardson remixed a song, she preferred Richardson’s version to the original, and the two eventually reconvened in Brooklyn. They began fusing Harper’ songs with sampled drumbeats and synthesized instruments and named the collaboration Class Actress. Later, multi-instrumentalist/engineer Scott Rosenthal joined the group.
In 2010, Class Actress released the 5-track EP Journal of Ardency on Chris Taylor’s (of Grizzly Bear) Terrible Records.
In October 2011, the band released the debut album Rapprocher (meaning "to come closer" in French) on Carpark Records. The album received many positive reviews. The single "Weekend" supported the album.
Official site: http://classactress.tumblr.com
Limousine
Class Actress Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nothing i can do about it
you won't let me in or let go
all you do is talk about it
all you do is say no
i don't know if i can wait it out
are you trying to break me in or break out?
take me down on hotel sheets
oh say you will, you better say you will
hush hush, hush now baby
better close your eyes
wouldn't it be nice to let go?
nothing i can do about it
you won't let me in or let go
all you do is talk about it
all you do is say no
i don't know if i can wait it out
are you trying to break me in or break out?
i know, i know
heartbreak, you're waiting for me
i know, i know
heartbreak, but it's right there for me
riding in the back of a limousine
take me down on hotel sheets
oh say you will, you better say you will
hush hush, hush now baby
better close your eyes
hush hush, hush now baby
better wait for me
won't recognize to let go
The song "Limousine" by Class Actress is a song about the struggle in a relationship and the desire to let go. The opening lines express the longing of the singer to be able to move on from the relationship and the frustration in being unable to do so. It seems that the other person in the relationship is not willing to let the singer in or let things come to an end. The repeated phrase "all you do is talk about it" hints at the cycle of argument or discussion that is keeping things stuck.
The chorus describes the setting of the relationship as being in the back of a limousine and on hotel sheets. This could be interpreted as the luxurious and glamorous aspects of the relationship, but also as a sense of being trapped or confined. The repetition of the request for the other person to say they will let go or open up adds to the sense of desperation in the singer's tone.
The bridge shifts to a more tender and soothing tone with the repetition of "hush hush." This could be interpreted as an attempt to calm down the other person or the singer's own inner voice. The final lines of the song "won't recognize to let go" suggests that the singer is trying to understand the other person's resistance to moving on, but it may be a fruitless endeavor.
Line by Line Meaning
wouldn't it be nice to let go?
The singer wishes they could just let go of their emotions and feelings towards someone.
nothing i can do about it
The singer realizes that they have no control over how the other person feels about them.
you won't let me in or let go
The other person is not allowing the singer to be a part of their life while also not letting go of their hold over the singer's emotions.
all you do is talk about it
The other person constantly talks about their feelings towards the singer instead of taking action.
all you do is say no
The other person consistently rejects the idea of being with the singer.
i don't know if i can wait it out
The singer is unsure if they can continue waiting for the other person to reciprocate their feelings.
are you trying to break me in or break out?
The singer questions whether the other person is trying to force them into a relationship or push them away completely.
riding in the back of a limousine
The singer is physically with the object of their affection but still emotionally distant from them.
take me down on hotel sheets
The singer desires to be intimate with the other person.
oh say you will, you better say you will
The singer urges the other person to reciprocate their feelings and desires.
hush hush, hush now baby, better close your eyes
The singer attempts to soothe the other person and reassure them that everything will be okay.
i know, i know, heartbreak, you're waiting for me
The singer acknowledges that heartbreak is inevitable in their situation and the other person is waiting for them to give in to their emotions.
riding in the back of a limousine
Reiterated to emphasize that physical proximity does not equate emotional closeness.
hush hush, hush now baby, better wait for me
The singer urges the other person to be patient and wait for them to figure out their emotions and feelings.
won't recognize to let go
Reiterates the first line of the song, emphasizing the fact that the singer's emotions are so overwhelming, they cannot let go easily.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.