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.
Summer
Derek James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spring went passed gone once again
Fell on the pattern of leaves in the blink of an eye
The shadows cast were replaced by the sun
Peaple passed one by one
The balance os the water filled my way
Nor do i
Out the door and onto the swing
Squirrels crawl little birds sing
Sounds of summer swimming through my head
Sleeping still as the wind blows
Swaying hammock i lay
Deep outside i spend my summer days
She doesn't know who i am(2x)
Nor do i
I'm gonna run i'm gonna fly
No looking back no asking why
Just open up your eyes
The song "Summer" by Derek James tells the story of the changing seasons and the arrival of summer. The first verse describes the transition from spring to summer, as the wind brings in the warmth and greenery of the new season. The sudden change in scenery is depicted by the pattern of the newly fallen leaves, which appear in the blink of an eye. The shadows that were once cast by the spring sun are now replaced by the full light of summer, and people pass by in the new warmth. The arrival of summer is depicted as a balance between the earth and water, as the water fills the singer's way.
The second verse speaks to the singer's experience of the summer season. He sits outside, listening to the sounds of squirrels and birds, and feeling the warmth of summer through his senses. The swaying hammock he lays in provides a relaxing backdrop as he spends his summer days outside. The singer is portrayed as being disconnected from the world around him; he repeats the line "She doesn't know who I am, nor do I" to emphasize his own disconnection from the external world. The final lines of the song urge the listener to embrace the present, without questioning or looking back.
Overall, "Summer" by Derek James is a nostalgic and introspective song about the arrival of the summer season and the sensations it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer came a gift from the wind
The arrival of summer was sudden and unexpected, like a present from the breeze
Spring went passed gone once again
Springtime had come and gone before anyone knew it had happened
Fell on the pattern of leaves in the blink of an eye
The transition from spring to summer was so rapid, it seemed to occur in the blink of an eye, like a pattern of leaves falling to the ground
The shadows cast were replaced by the sun
As summer arrived, shadows gave way to the warmth of the sun
Peaple passed one by one
People went about their daily lives, one by one, seemingly oblivious to the change of season
The balance os the water filled my way
The balance of nature, particularly the flow of water, provided a sense of direction or purpose
She doesn't know who i am (3x)
The singer has a love interest, but they are unaware of each other's existence
Nor do i
The artist admits to being equally unaware of the other person
Out the door and onto the swing
The artist steps out of the house and onto a swing, perhaps symbolizing a carefree attitude
Squirrels crawl little birds sing
The flora and fauna around the artist come alive with the sounds and movements of summer
Sounds of summer swimming through my head
The singer is immersed in the sensations of summer, both physically and mentally
Sleeping still as the wind blows
The artist is still, meditative, and peaceful while feeling the cool breeze of summer
Swaying hammock i lay
The singer is swinging in a hammock, a picture of relaxation and tranquility
Deep outside i spend my summer days
The singer is outdoors, completely engrossed in the joys of summer
I'm gonna run i'm gonna fly
The singer reflects on their desire to live life to the fullest, to run and fly without looking back or questioning why
No looking back no asking why
The artist has committed to seizing the moment, leaving behind doubts and uncertainty
Just open up your eyes
The artist encourages listeners to embrace the wonders of the world around them by simply opening their eyes
Contributed by Joshua F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.