His pop/rock music is as eclectic as the places he's lived and the jobs he's held to survive. You name it; he's probably done it! James has worked as a bar mitzvah video editor, sold spa packages, womens clothing, and passed out bottled water at malls to name a few. His debut album, Stray, was written in the basement of a family's home in the suburbs of New York, where he worked as a live-in nanny.
Since starting his career in 2003 the pattern has been consistent, the show has gotten bigger, tighter, and the energy keeps increasing. James was recently a finalist in the Williamsburg 2005 singer/songwriter competition. He has worked with up and coming Yellopop producers, Assaf Spector and Eitan Graff, and now makes his local rounds at NYC premiere venues such as the Knitting Factory, Pianos and Rockwood Music Hall.
Stray
Derek James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey love I didn't want to drive you away
Cause I just decided I'd let it all out just to let you in
But I'm spilling all over you overflowing onto you
And you're drowing in me
If you don't love me
If you don't love me
Hey love I knew that I would find you here
Hey love only one thing is clear
So much inside me you've started to wake
And it burns in my veins and this damn's gonna break on you
Overflowing onto you when you're drowning me
If you don't love me
If you don't love me
If you could walk away
And every look I give is real
But you cut me down before my queen I kneel
If you don't love me
If you don't love me
If you could walk away
The lyrics of "Stray" seem to revolve around a contemplation of one's feelings towards love and how they connect with the object of their affection. The singer addresses their loved one by saying they were hoping to find them there and express their feelings. However, they're also afraid that they might drive away the person they love by confessing too much. The singer is overflowing with emotions, and they're afraid they might overwhelm their partner with it. Despite that, they're willing to let it all out to let their loved one in. The lyrics suggest an uncertainty in the relationship, and the singer is questioning whether their loved one reciprocates their feelings.
The lyrics of the chorus emphasize the singer's vulnerability in the relationship. They ask their loved one if they could walk away, as if suggesting that they won't be surprised if they do. The vulnerability is further highlighted in the second verse when the singer expresses how much their partner has awakened something within them. They're struggling to contain their emotions, and it's like a dam that's going to break at any moment. The idea of overflowing onto their loved one while they drown demonstrates how the relationship might be getting too intense for the singer, and they're afraid they might lose themselves in it.
In the final lines of the song, the singer speaks of vulnerability once more, asking their loved one to remember that every look they give is real. However, the singer seems to suggest that their partner doesn't take them seriously, as they cut them down before they can even kneel. This further adds to the uncertainty and insecurity the singer feels. In conclusion, "Stray" is a song of fear, vulnerability, and uncertainty in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey love i was hoping that I'd find you here
The singer is expressing relief at finding their lover, whom they were searching for.
Hey love I didn't want to drive you away
The singer wants to continue their relationship and is afraid of doing something that might make their lover leave.
Cause I just decided I'd let it all out just to let you in
The singer has decided to be vulnerable with their lover and open up about their feelings.
But I'm spilling all over you overflowing onto you
The artist's emotions are overwhelming and they are pouring them out onto their partner.
And you're drowing in me
The artist's partner is being consumed by their intense emotions.
If you don't love me
The singer is expressing fear and anxiety that their partner may not love them back.
If you could walk away
The singer is afraid of being abandoned by their partner.
Hey love only one thing is clear
The only thing that is certain for the artist is their love for their partner.
So much inside me you've started to wake
The artist's partner has awakened deep emotions within them.
And it burns in my veins and this damn's gonna break on you
The artist's emotions are intense and they are struggling to control them, and they are projecting them onto their partner.
And every look I give is real
The singer's actions and expressions towards their partner are genuine and true.
But you cut me down before my queen I kneel
The artist has been hurt by their lover in the past, despite being vulnerable to them.
Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.