Del Water Gap is the solo project of American songwriter, producer, and sin… Read Full Bio ↴Del Water Gap is the solo project of American songwriter, producer, and singer Samuel Holden Jaffe. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Jaffe currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. His music is known for its intimate nature, drawing inspiration from "romantic encounters and dimly lit rooms."

Jaffe's musical journey began while attending boarding school in Millbrook, New York. It was during this time that he adopted the name Del Water Gap, inspired by the sight of it handwritten on the back of a box truck. Initially, Jaffe played drums in a noise rock band, where he had limited opportunities to showcase his vocals. Seeking further education in music and sound production, he pursued studies at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU.

While Del Water Gap was originally a band, it eventually transitioned into Jaffe's solo project. The lineup underwent changes during his college years, including a collaboration with singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, who was involved for a six-month period. Jaffe and Rogers initially connected during their freshman year of college, and they released the song "New Song," recorded in 2014. Collaborations have played a significant role in Jaffe's career, as he also worked with Claud on the single "My Body" and co-wrote and produced Claud's "Never Meant To Call."

In 2018, Jaffe signed with Terrible Records and released the single "Laid Down My Arms." This was followed by the release of the singles "Chastain" and "Theory of Emotion" as a lead-up to his third EP, "Don't Get Dark," also under Terrible Records.

Del Water Gap signed with Atlantic Records in 2020, and subsequently released the tracks "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat" and "Mariposa." The song "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat" gained significant attention when actresses Margaret Qualley and Kaitlyn Dever shared an Instagram video of themselves participating in a "socially distant dance party" to the song during the initial summer of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Del Water Gap joined Mom + Pop Music, releasing the single "Hurting Kind" along with a music video co-directed by Charlie Plummer. The video received support from MTV, and images from the shoot were featured in GQ. Del Water Gap's debut album was released with Mom + Pop Music in October 2021, followed by a headline tour and a support tour alongside Jeremy Zucker.

Homeless
Del Water Gap Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're in bed but I can't sleep
The homless man out on the street is juste
He's screaming from the side walk
'cause your window's open
I'm not home with you

I whisper you awake
and then i'll make your body shake

until youre through

Cause I would walk on broken legs
to town and back to
buy your bread for you

and will wait for you
and I wont leave you blue

When the part is closing
and you start to show the
broken side of you

tears all in your eyes
and youre crying 'bout the guys
that left you bruised

I kiss that look right off your face
but you dont know im in a darker
place than you

I put your little feet on my
somewhat bigger feet
and walk the moon

and i will wait for you
and i wont leave you blue
and i will wait for you
and i wont leave you blue

help you tie your shoes
i'll take care of you

Overall Meaning

The song "Homeless" by Del Water Gap seems like a love song at first, with the singer addressing his lover who is lying next to him in bed. He tells her that he is unable to sleep, perhaps due to an external distraction - a homeless man outside on the street yelling. The singer makes it clear that he is willing to take care of his lover, no matter what they might need from him. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to put his feelings and desires aside, to prioritize his lover's, even if it means walking on broken legs to buy her bread, or waiting for her until she feels better.

However, as the song continues, the lyrics become more complicated. The singer mentions that his lover sometimes shows a "broken side" of herself, crying over past relationships that have left her "bruised." In moments like these, the singer seems to be a source of comfort for her, kissing "that look right off your face." But he also admits that he himself is in a "darker place" than his lover, suggesting that they both have their own struggles to contend with. The song ends with an image of the singer tying his lover's shoes - a small, intimate gesture that suggests he will always be there for her, no matter what.

Overall, "Homeless" is a complex song about love, sacrifice, and emotional support. It suggests that love is not always easy, but it is worth fighting for. The singer's willingness to take care of his lover, even when he himself is struggling, is a testament to the depth of their connection.

Line by Line Meaning

You're in bed but I can't sleep
I am laying next to you but my mind is racing and I cannot fall asleep.

The homeless man out on the street is just
The homeless man outside the window is a representation of my own feelings of loneliness and emptiness.

He's screaming from the sidewalk 'cause your window's open
The homeless man's screams are amplified because the window is open, highlighting the harsh reality of our isolation and vulnerability.

I'm not home with you
Despite physically being next to you in bed, we are still emotionally distant and disconnected.

I whisper you awake
I am awake, thinking about you, and whispering your name softly.

And then I'll make your body shake until you're through
I want to connect with you physically, to take you away from the thoughts that are keeping you up at night.

Cause I would walk on broken legs to town and back to buy your bread for you
I would go to any length, no matter how difficult, to take care of you and make you happy.

And I will wait for you
No matter how long it takes, I will be patient and wait for you, even when it's hard.

And I won't leave you blue
I won't abandon you when you are feeling down or upset.

When the party's closing and you start to show the broken side of you
When the distractions fade away, and your struggles become more apparent, I will be there for you.

Tears all in your eyes, and you're crying 'bout the guys that left you bruised
You are hurting because of past relationships, and I want to be there to comfort you and help you heal.

I kiss that look right off your face, but you don't know I'm in a darker place than you
I try to be strong for you, even when I am struggling myself.

I put your little feet on my somewhat bigger feet and walk the moon
I will protect you, guide you, and provide for you, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

And I will wait for you
Again, I will be patient and wait for you, always putting your needs before my own.

And I won't leave you blue
I won't let you feel alone or neglected in your struggles.

And I will help you tie your shoes
I will be there for you in the little moments, doing anything I can to make your life easier and happier.

I'll take care of you
Ultimately, my love for you means I will always be there to care for you, no matter what comes our way.

Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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