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."
Guinevere
Eli Young Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Covered in stickers of her favorite band
She's got a handful of records that she turns to
When she needs to land
She's a Saturday night parade through the streets
That all eyes some to see including me
She carries memories around like souvenirs down in her pockets
Says forgiveness ain't nothing but a lifeless tire on the shoulder of her soul
That never rolls
[Chorus]
For as much as she stumbled she's running
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere
She don't hold onto nothing new for very long
Yeah she writes you in as just one more tale
And then you're gone
Cause she once fell hard cause she dropped her guard
And no one gets to stay it's just too late
[Chorus]
For as much as she stumbled she's running
For as much as she runs she's still here
For as much as she stumbled she's running
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere
Lean into me Guinevere
Be mine tonight Guinevere
The Eli Young Band’s song “Guinevere” tells the story of a woman who is living with the weight of her past on her shoulders. The song’s lyrics describe the woman as someone who has been hurt by love and carries the memories of those heartbreaks with her like souvenirs. She holds onto these memories, refusing to forgive those who have wronged her, trapped in a cycle of pain that she cannot seem to escape.
The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is searching for a way to ease her pain and who is always “running” in the hope of finding something that will heal her wounds. The use of the name “Guinevere” adds a layer of meaning to the song, as Guinevere is a character from Arthurian legend who was known for her beauty and her tragic love affair with Lancelot. In the song, the name Guinevere serves as a metaphor for the fragile and fleeting nature of love and the pain that can come with it.
Overall, “Guinevere” is a poignant and insightful commentary on the human experience of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from the past.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got a bumper like a billboard
She has a large and noticeable rear end
Covered in stickers of her favorite band
Her rear end is decorated with stickers of her favorite band
She's got a handful of records that she turns to when she needs to land
She has a few things that bring her comfort when she needs it
She's a Saturday night parade through the streets that all eyes come to see, including me
She's outgoing and attracts attention from others
She carries memories around like souvenirs down in her pockets
She holds onto memories from her past like keepsakes
She should have let some go by now but can't seem to drop it
She knows she should let go of some of her past, but can't bring herself to do it
Says forgiveness ain't nothing but a lifeless tire on the shoulder of her soul that never rolls
She believes that forgiveness is useless and does not change anything
For as much as she stumbled she's running
Despite her mistakes, she keeps moving forward
For as much as she runs she's still here
She hasn't given up and is still present
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven to make the damage of her days disappear
She's looking for something that will help her forget the pain and hurt of her past
Just like Guinevere
Similar to the legendary queen Guinevere who was known for her regretful past and search for redemption
She don't hold onto nothing new for very long, yeah she writes you in as just one more tale and then you're gone
She doesn't keep new people in her life for very long and sees them as just another story to tell
Cause she once fell hard cause she dropped her guard and no one gets to stay it's just too late
She was hurt badly in the past and has since closed herself off to others
Lean into me Guinevere
Come to me for comfort, Guinevere
Be mine tonight Guinevere
Stay with me tonight, Guinevere
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Young, Michael Elizondo, Scooter Carusoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natasharaymer379
The first time I heard this song I fell in love with the name. Well two weeks ago I welcome my Guinevere!!!
@sldj5657
I had my Guinevere 5 1/2 years ago. :) Congratulations!
@baileyschutte3888
Natasha Raymer October 11 2019 😂 Lott’s people had the same idea as me I guess lol
@user-zo6vd3qw9z
That’s the name I want to use one day 🥰🥰
@DJynxx
The first time you heard the name Guinevere was because of this song?
God, pick up a fucking book sometime, you troglodyte.
@justincampbell9028
@DJynxx You need a hug bud!!
@stephaniepuckett3203
My boyfriend showed me this song and said it reminded him of me when we first started dating. I had been through a rough year or so before we started dating and had a lot of walls built up and when he showed me this song and told me how it made him feel I felt those walls crumble. 2 years later and we are still going strong. He is the love of my life and this song is going to be played at our wedding one day. Thank you for making beautiful music, Eli Young Band. Music can change a life.
@MonsterGummyBear1
Are y'all still together?
@adriana27100
So beautiful! 9 years ago… I hope you having a beautiful life together!
@KStiver93
I've commented on this video a million times, but I cannot get over how perfect this song is! I love it.