Their self-produced album released in May of 2011, Civilized Man, was recorded by Mark Nevers (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Andrew Bird, Yo La Tengo) at Beech House in Nashville. It is itself something of a departure from the singer/songwriter category of the rest of Ellsworth’s catalog.
As the first official release from the band, it represents a fresh start musically and a whole new set of influences; from The Talking Heads to Wilco, lots of new inspirations are being welcomed into the mix.
Waves
Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling don't go
I can't stay
I'm sorry
Implications of
Decisions daunting
Tell me how it feels
To come apart
Your tender heart
Your tacit eyes
Pictures on the wall
Your living room
Your living proof
We had it all
Now it's over
And it comes
In waves & signals
Multitudes obscured
And in turn
Carves its name
In branches left unsure
And I know
The halcyon days
The halcyon days
Are gone
Tell me what it looks like
To see it with your own eyes
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
Tell me what it looks like
To see it with your own eyes
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna break
Heavy-hearted
Youth departed
Hang fire
Complicated lives
We're doing fine
We're heading nowhere
So this is how it feels
To fall apart
Dark disregard
I still recall -
The way you let your hair
Fall down in waves
Across your face
It's too far gone
To stop from sinking
And it comes
1, 000 words
Descend upon the page
And I know
The halcyon days
The halcyon days
Are gone
Tell me what it looks like
To see it with your own eyes
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
Tell me what it looks like
To see it with your own eyes
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
It's all gonna bend
It's all gonna break
Why did I run from you?
The lyrics of "Waves" by Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes depict a sense of regret and reflection on a former relationship. The song opens with the plea of the singer's partner not to go, but the singer can't stay due to their own indecision and haunted by the implications of their choices. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be asking their former partner how it feels to have come apart, to see things breaking and bending, and to witness the loss of what they once had together. The chorus of "and it comes in waves and signals," suggests the emotional turmoil the singer is going through, with the memories of their past love coming in sudden and overwhelming bursts.
The use of water-related imagery throughout the song, from the "pictures on the wall" to "the way you let your hair fall down in waves," creates a sense of fluidity, change, and tumultuousness. The energy of the song builds as the singer recalls the "halcyon days" and the "complicated lives" they're now living. The phrase "hang fire" suggests a sense of hesitation, while "dark disregard" seems to acknowledge the painful reality of the situation. By the end of the song, the singer is left with the question, "why did I run from you?"
Overall, "Waves" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the feelings of heartbreak, confusion, and nostalgia that often accompany the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling don't go
The singer is pleading with their significant other to stay.
I can't stay
The singer is unable to stay, possibly due to the difficulties in the relationship.
I'm sorry
The singer feels remorseful, possibly for their actions or for the state of the relationship.
Implications of
The possible outcomes or consequences of a decision or action.
Decisions daunting
The artist finds making decisions difficult, possibly due to the weight of consequences associated with them.
Tend to haunt me
The singer is haunted by their decisions and their consequences.
Tell me how it feels
The singer is asking for insight or understanding from their partner.
To come apart
The gradual or sudden breakdown of a relationship or situation.
Your tender heart
The artist is addressing their partner, who has a gentle and caring heart.
Your tacit eyes
The artist is addressing their partner's silent and expressive eyes.
Pictures on the wall
The physical reminders of the relationship or memories associated with it.
Your living room
The physical space where the relationship and memories took place.
Your living proof
The tangible evidence or proof of the relationship's existence.
We had it all
The relationship was once fulfilling and complete.
Now it's over
The relationship has come to an end.
And it comes
The artist is describing the pain and memories associated with the end of the relationship.
In waves & signals
The pain and memories come in unpredictable and varied forms.
Multitudes obscured
The singer is struggling to process and understand the overwhelming emotions and memories.
And in turn
A consequence or effect of the pain and memories.
Carves its name
The pain and memories leave a lasting impression on the artist.
In branches left unsure
The aftermath of the relationship is uncertain and unclear.
And I know
The artist is certain of the relationship's end and the pain that comes with it.
The halcyon days
A period of happiness and contentment.
Are gone
The period of happiness and contentment has passed and may not return.
Tell me what it looks like
The singer is asking for a description or insight into the end of the relationship.
To see it with your own eyes
To gain firsthand experience or understanding of the end of the relationship.
It's all gonna bend
The singer is acknowledging the eventual collapse or failure of everything associated with the relationship.
It's all gonna break
The artist is acknowledging the eventual collapse or failure of everything associated with the relationship.
Heavy-hearted
The artist is experiencing deep sadness and sorrow.
Youth departed
A reference to the passing of time and the loss of youth and vitality.
Hang fire
The singer is hesitating or delaying a decision or action.
Complicated lives
The difficulties and complications of everyday life that can impact relationships.
We're doing fine
The artist is trying to reassure themselves and their partner that things are okay, despite the difficulties in the relationship.
We're heading nowhere
The artist acknowledges that the relationship is not progressing towards a positive outcome or resolution.
So this is how it feels
The singer is acknowledging the painful and difficult emotions associated with the end of the relationship.
To fall apart
The gradual or sudden breakdown of a relationship or situation.
Dark disregard
The singer is experiencing feelings of indifference or apathy towards the end of the relationship.
I still recall -
The singer is reflecting on their memories of the relationship, despite the pain and difficulty of the present.
The way you let your hair
The singer is describing a specific memory of their partner and the way they presented themselves.
Fall down in waves
The artist is describing a specific memory of their partner's hair falling in waves.
Across your face
The physical aspect of the memory and the way the partner presented themselves.
It's too far gone
The relationship is too broken or damaged to be repaired or salvaged.
To stop from sinking
The singer expresses their inability to prevent the pain and difficulty associated with the end of the relationship.
1, 000 words
A large amount of memories or emotions associated with the relationship.
Descend upon the page
The act of expressing or conveying the memories and emotions associated with the relationship through writing or art.
Why did I run from you?
The artist is questioning their actions and decisions that led to the end of the relationship and their inability to prevent it.
Contributed by Levi A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paula M
You guys are amazing.
kamikazelombardo
Where have you been my whole life!? <3 New Fav band.
Subject To Change
You guys are great, but I must say the drumming does not fit with the rest of the instrumentals, but keep it up.