Upon moving to New York in 2001, Bartlett soon began performing with Chocolate Genius and Elysian Fields, and also worked as Salon.com's music critic, writing first a weekly "Wednesday Morning Download", and later the daily "Audiofile" feature.] In recent years, Bartlett has performed and toured extensively with artists like The National, Antony and the Johnsons, Martha Wainwright, Glen Hansard and Bebel Gilberto.
Clouds
Doveman Lyrics
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He told me and walked away as I look to the sky
I now understand my dear
That I'm not enough for you
But if you hold me I won't ask why
So don't follow me down
For my sins I must atone
This path is mine alone
By day I breathe in phantoms
The air is littered with memories of days gone by
I miss you more that you know
I'm not sure I can hold on
But I must try
The song "Clouds" by Doveman is a melancholic ballad that explores the feeling of regret and self-punishment. The first few lines, "Clouds are the signs of our sins, He told me and walked away as I look to the sky" suggest that the clouds in the sky signify the wrongdoings of the past that cannot be escaped. The singer seems to be haunted by these sins, and the person who could have saved him has given up and walked away. The subsequent line, "I now understand my dear that I'm not enough for you, But if you hold me I won't ask why" reinforces the theme of self-blame and the belief that the singer's sins are to blame for their relationship's failure.
The chorus, "So don't follow me down, Follow me down, For my sins I must atone, This path is mine alone" indicates the singer's belief that they must suffer alone for their mistakes. The use of the word "atone" also suggests that the singer feels a deep sense of guilt and needs to make amends. However, the second verse reveals the singer's conflict with these feelings as he says, "By day I breathe in phantoms, The air is littered with memories of days gone by, I miss you more than you know, I'm not sure I can hold on, But I must try." These words reveal the singer's struggle to come to terms with his past and move on.
Overall, the song "Clouds" is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of the lasting impact of our actions. It highlights the difficulty of letting go of past regrets and how these feelings can consume us.
Line by Line Meaning
Clouds are the signs of our sins
The singer was told that clouds represent their sins by someone who then walked away.
I now understand my dear
The singer has come to comprehend that they are not enough for their loved one.
That I'm not enough for you
The singer realizes that they cannot meet the expectations of their significant other.
But if you hold me I won't ask why
Despite not being enough, the artist wants to be held and loved unconditionally.
So don't follow me down
The artist warns someone not to follow them down a certain path.
Follow me down
Repeating the warning against following them down a specific path.
For my sins I must atone
The singer recognizes they must face punishment for their transgressions and redeem themselves to move forward.
This path is mine alone
The artist must take responsibility for their own mistakes and consequences that follow.
By day I breathe in phantoms
The artist is haunted by memories of the past, which they can't seem to let go.
The air is littered with memories of days gone by
Reflecting upon an atmosphere cluttered with regret and nostalgia from the 'good old days'.
I miss you more that you know
The singer misses someone greatly beyond what is understood by others.
I'm not sure I can hold on
The artist is unsure if they have the strength to keep going through the emotional pain and struggles.
But I must try
Despite the uncertainty, the singer knows they cannot give up and must make an effort to carry on.
Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.