Friedberger grew up singing with her grandmother, Olga Sarantos, and family in a Greek Orthodox Church.
On July 12, 2011, Merge Records released Friedberger's first solo album, Last Summer.
The Spoon song "Anything You Want" and the Franz Ferdinand song "Eleanor Put Your Boots On" were both written about Friedberger.
She released her second album, Personal Record, on 4 June 2013.
Inn of the Seventh Ray
Eleanor Friedberger Lyrics
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I hoped and I hoped, but no, I wouldn't pray
The trip from here to South Pasadena is a long walk home
A long hard look at yourself
But you promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
But you promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
If you only knew a way
The Inn Of The Seventh Ray
Take a lecture in stereoscopics to show us the way
To see with one eye open and one eye closed
Can we keep one eye open and one eye closed on the rest of the world?
I don't think so!
But you promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
If you only knew a way
Watch Footloose with the biggest bottle of vodka in the world
Tequila in the ?? for a break-in reunion of the old ?
Let's pose together, my sister, in the mirror of the wet bar
The only girl I see myself is you
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
If you only knew a way
If Highland Park isn't close enough, we can stop at my place on the way
To the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
Watch us go wiggling in Wombleton on your boulevard
Climb up and down to the car in the commercial
That pays for us to eat at The Inn Of The Seventh Ray
But since the handle is broken, I can't get out
You're gonna have to get yourself out of this, yes yes!
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
But you didn't know the way
The lyrics to Eleanor Friedberger's song "Inn Of The Seventh Ray" speak to the disappointment and frustration that can come with unfulfilled promises. The Inn of the Seventh Ray is a real restaurant located in Topanga, California and is known for its focus on healthy and organic food choices. The singer in the song has been promised a trip to the Inn, yet it seems that the promise will not be kept as the person they are counting on does not know the way. The opening line "You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray" is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the idea of broken promises.
There are several references to specific places and things throughout the song, such as South Pasadena, Highland Park, and Wombleton Boulevard. The mention of taking a lecture in stereoscopics suggests an interest in 3D imaging technology. The lines "To see with one eye open and one eye closed" and "Can we keep one eye open and one eye closed on the rest of the world? I don't think so!" could be interpreted as a commentary on the complexities of the world and the difficulty in maintaining a balanced perspective.
In the final verse, the singer suggests that the handle is broken and they cannot get out, leaving the promise unfulfilled once again. This could be read as a metaphor for a broken relationship or unattainable goal. Overall, the lyrics of "Inn Of The Seventh Ray" convey a sense of longing, disappointment, and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
The singer expected to go to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray with someone who promised to take her there.
I hoped and I hoped, but no, I wouldn't pray
The singer hoped that the promised trip would happen but wasn't desperate enough to pray for it.
The trip from here to South Pasadena is a long walk home
The distance between where they are now and South Pasadena is so far that not being taken to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray would feel like walking home from there.
A long hard look at yourself
Reflecting on the situation and questioning one's own motivations for wanting to go to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
If you only knew a way
The artist believes that the person who promised to take her to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray didn't know how to get there.
If Highland Park isn't close enough, there's that place on the way
If their current location is not close enough to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray, there's a different location they can stop at on the way there.
Take a lecture in stereoscopics to show us the way
Attending a lecture on stereoscopics, a technique used to create 3D illusions, to visually guide them to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
To see with one eye open and one eye closed
Using the technique of viewing objects with one eye open and one eye closed in order to achieve the desired 3D effect.
Can we keep one eye open and one eye closed on the rest of the world?
Questioning whether or not it is possible to view the world in this manner all the time, not just for the purpose of finding the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
I don't think so!
The artist believes that it is not possible to view the world in this manner all the time.
Watch Footloose with the biggest bottle of vodka in the world
Sitting down to watch the movie Footloose while drinking the largest bottle of vodka available.
Tequila in the ?? for a break-in reunion of the old ?
Drinking tequila in a certain location for a reunion of old friends who had broken into that location in the past.
Let's pose together, my sister, in the mirror of the wet bar
Taking a picture together in front of a mirror behind the wet bar.
The only girl I see myself is you
The singer sees herself in the other girl and values their relationship highly.
If Highland Park isn't close enough, we can stop at my place on the way
A second suggestion to stop at the singer's place if Highland Park is still not close enough to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
Watch us go wiggling in Wombleton on your boulevard
Dancing and moving in a silly manner on Wombleton Boulevard.
Climb up and down to the car in the commercial
Imitate the movements of people climbing up and down from cars in a commercial on TV.
That pays for us to eat at The Inn Of The Seventh Ray
Enjoying the fact that the money earned from doing the commercial will fund their dinner at the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
But since the handle is broken, I can't get out
The singer cannot get out of the car due to a broken door handle.
You're gonna have to get yourself out of this, yes yes!
Asking the other person to help her get out of the car since the handle is broken.
You promised to take me to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray
Reiterating the promise to be taken to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray.
But you didn't know the way
The other person did not know how to get to the Inn Of The Seventh Ray, which resulted in not being able to go there.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind