The band was formed almost five years ago by Mike Eli who grew up just outside of Houston and James Young who hails from Irving, TX. After playing together as a duo they were later joined by drummer Chris Thompson of Colleyville, TX and bassist Jon Jones of Omaha, NE who all met while students at the University of North Texas at Denton, about 50 miles north of Dallas/Forth Worth. After graduating the group decided to stay in Denton and to this day make their home in the town.
Late in 2003 producer Frank Liddell (Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Chris Knight) attended a show at the Gypsy Tea Room where EYB was playing on the bill with Miranda Lambert. He was blown away by the show and wound up signing them to Carnival Recording Company soon after. In April 2005, the Eli Young Band released Level, marking their debut on Carnival.
Level has drawn comparisons to The Jayhawks in the plaintive "When It Rains". The band members, all in their early 20s, have proven to be adept at blending their musical influences into a cohesive sound on this effort. You can hear the heartland rock of John Mellencamp in the autobiographical "Small Town Kid" and the crying-in-your-beer band on the road saga "Highways and Broken Hearts." There's the grinding blues of the Black Crowes in "Bring It on Home," and the romantic lament of "That's the Way" and "Everything Is You."
FAMOUS
Eli Young Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I wish I was famous
'Cause if I was famous
You'd know my name
I've seen you downtown
I've walked up to you
But the words wouldn't come out
'Cause I'm just a guy just down the street
I'm just a face you've never seen
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating
But if I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
Wish I was a big star
Up on the screen
And driving a fast car
Like Stevie McQueen
Yeah, I wish I was someone
Instead of a no one
'Cause if I was someone
Baby, you'd know my name
Maybe someday I'll understand
What it feels like to hold your hand
Maybe someday but until then
I'm just a guy just down the street
I'm just a face you've never seen
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating
But if I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
But if I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
Baby, you'd know my name
If I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
Hey, if I was famous, baby, you'd know my name
The lyrics of Eli Young Band's song "Famous" are an expression of the desire to be known and recognized in the world. The singer of the song wishes that he was famous because he believes that it would make him visible in the eyes of his love interest. He has seen her around but has never been able to approach her mainly because he is just a regular guy who feels invisible to her. The singer wants to be famous because it would make him stand out and be noticed, giving him the opportunity to be someone worthy of affection.
He imagines himself as a big star, someone like Steve McQueen, driving fast cars and living the dream, a life of recognition and fame. The singer believes that if he was famous, his love interest would know and recognize his name, making him closer to her. He realizes that as a regular guy, he is just a nobody, someone who is not of much interest.
The lyrics evoke the complex emotions of wanting to be someone of importance and value in the world. It's a relatable theme that many people share, wanting to be seen, heard, and recognized. The lyrics of "Famous" speak to that desire to escape the anonymity of everyday life and be known for something, to be remembered for something. The song is a reminder that fame can be intoxicating, but perhaps the real value is in the recognition of oneself and loving oneself, regardless of how famous or unknown one is.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was famous
I desire to have celebrity status
Yeah, I wish I was famous
I really wish to be famous
'Cause if I was famous
Because if I had widespread acclaim
You'd know my name
You would recognize me
I've seen you downtown
I have encountered you in the city center
I've walked up to you
I approached you
But the words wouldn't come out
I was unable to speak
And you never knew
You remained oblivious of my presence
'Cause I'm just a guy just down the street
I'm an ordinary person living in the same locality as you
I'm just a face you've never seen
You have no familiarity with my appearance
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating
You have no awareness of my existence or emotions
But if I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
However, if I had celebrity status
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
You would immediately recognize me
Wish I was a big star
I desire to be a famous personality
Up on the screen
Appearing in movies and television
And driving a fast car
Owning a speedy vehicle
Like Stevie McQueen
In a fashion similar to the famous actor Steve McQueen
Yeah, I wish I was someone
I wish to have an impact in society
Instead of a no one
Rather than being anonymous and unimportant
'Cause if I was someone
Because if I had significance
Baby, you'd know my name
You would recognize me, my contributions, and my personality
Maybe someday I'll understand
Perhaps someday I will comprehend
What it feels like to hold your hand
What it is like to touch your hand
But until then
For now
I'm just a guy just down the street
I'm simply a person living near you
I'm just a face you've never seen
You are not acquainted with my appearance
I'm just a heart you don't know is beating
You are unfamiliar with my existence and emotions
If I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
However, if I had celebrity status
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
You would instantaneously recognize me
But if I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
But if I had widespread acclaim
Hey, if I was famous you'd know my name
You would immediately recognize me
Baby, you'd know my name
You would recognize me, my contributions, and my personality
If I was famous, yeah, if I was famous
If I had celebrity status
Hey, if I was famous, baby, you'd know my name
You would immediately recognize me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEITH GATTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Li
This song should be famous!
TotalWeirdo101
i'm gonna re-do this song completely