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."
So Close Now
Eli Young Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got the streets memorized
I see the faces embedded in my mind
I can't keep on fighting the urge go
I've got nothing in common with this town I've come to know
(So)
I am so close now to walking away
About to walk a path I've gotta take
I am packing up heading out
I can't sleep I'm dreaming way too loud
I'm so close now, so close now
To getting out
The same old lines, the same routine
Nothing changes and that's not good for me
I need a break. I need something new
I need to replace these old worn out broken shoes
(Cus)
I am so close now to walking away
About to walk a path I've gotta take
I am packing up heading out
I can't sleep I'm dreaming way too loud
I'm so close now, so close now
To getting out
I've got that truck all loaded down
I should've known how hard it'd be leave this town
I am....
So close now to walking away
About to walk a path I've gotta take
I am packing up heading out
I can't sleep I'm dreaming way too loud
I'm so close now, so close now
To getting out
[Thanks to Tanika for lyrics]
The Eli Young Band's song "So Close Now" showcases the feeling of being trapped in a small town that doesn't bring you joy or happiness. The singer has grown familiar with the streets and faces around them and realizes that they need a change in their life. They feel the need to pack up and leave the town to embark on a new journey to a place where they feel more fulfilled. The lyrics showcase the struggle of wanting to leave and the fear of dreaming too big and the possibility of failing but also the necessity for the change.
The lyrics suggest the singer has been waiting a long time to take this step and finally feels ready to leave. They understand that they have nothing in common with this town but feel a certain attachment to it, which makes it hard to leave. However, the urge to leave and embark on a new journey is stronger.
The chorus emphasizes the feeling of being so close to making this change and the anticipation that is felt. The lyrics express a desire to leave behind the monotonous routine and embark on a new adventure, where they can dream bigger and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the streets memorized
I know every street in this town like the back of my hand
I see the faces embedded in my mind
I can picture the faces of everyone I've ever met here
I can't keep on fighting the urge go
I can't resist the urge to leave this town anymore
I've got nothing in common with this town I've come to know
I don't feel like I belong in this town and I don't share its values
I am so close now to walking away
I am very close to leaving this town behind for good
About to walk a path I've gotta take
I am about to take a new direction in life that I know I need to pursue
I am packing up heading out
I am getting ready to leave town and start a new chapter in my life
I can't sleep I'm dreaming way too loud
I am so excited about leaving this town that I can't even sleep at night
I'm so close now, so close now
I am just about to make the big move, it's almost here
To getting out
To finally escaping this town and starting fresh
The same old lines, the same routine
Every day feels exactly the same, and it's starting to wear on me
Nothing changes and that's not good for me
I need change in my life, this stagnant routine is making me unhappy
I need a break. I need something new
I need to take a break from this town and experience something different
I need to replace these old worn out broken shoes
I need to leave behind the old and worn-out version of myself and start fresh
I've got that truck all loaded down
I have packed up all my belongings in my truck ready to go
I should've known how hard it'd be leave this town
Leaving this town is proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Marlon Young, Robert Tewlow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stella Lowman
In 2008 this song played as I hugged my friends good bye after graduating. In 2017 this song played as I planned my escape from my ex husband and his mother. This song has a lot of meaning to me.
Kenni-411
me too
texasmusicfan03
I miss this band playing locally often here in Texas, been listening to them since the early 2000s, great band, meet them numerous times when they were 'nobodies' playing in local clubs. Now I might be lucky to catch them one a year, but I am glad they are the successful band they are, just miss the old days
hiroshi
I really like this song, there was a point in my life where I felt almost every word he says in this song.
Johanna Andrews Ellis
Listen to this song the day i drove out of the town i lived in or close to my whole life and moved 3 hours away it was the best decision of my life!
frylockkilla
This really is some good country. I think country is growing on me because of this awesome band!
QuassDebonair
This is a good song. I got to meet them last year..They're so nice in person and great guys
DL
This song is a true story. I've lived it. I listened to it one night and made up my mind to get out.
A Peralez
This was our class song at my graduation! And i will always get that feeling of bittersweetness when i hear!!!
Taylor Rudolph
i love this song! it reminds me of my hs experience as well.