She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Coast
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Find a little cabin by the Sea.
Think I need to be alone for awhile,
Find out what ever became of me.
Did you ever think that it would be like this?
Ah, the price you pay for lo-ove.
Now the price you pay for everything, Yea-ah.
Maybe I'll take the long way home.
I'm probably more than just a little high,
But I need some time to be alone.
I'm gonna find out what it means to me
Ah, to give it all up for love
To bet it all on what things seem to be, yea-ah.
Instrumental
Think I'll go down to the Sea for awhile,
Kick my shoes off in the sand.
Don't know what I'm gonna be for awhile,
Don't want to try to understand.
Did you ever think that it would feel like this
Ah, the price you pay for love
Yeah, the price you pay, willingly, Yea-ah
Ah-Oh, the price you pay,willingly.
Eliza Gilkyson's song "Coast" is a contemplation of love and the sacrifices one may make for it. The singer of the song desires to be alone for a while and find a little cabin by the sea, away from the chaotic world. She asks if the listener ever thought that love would be so demanding, costing them everything in return. The singer is also high, seeking some time by herself to contemplate further. She wants to find out what her love means to her, and what it costs her. Even though she is unsure about her future or what she wants, she still willingly pays the price of love.
"Coast" paints a picture of a journey of self-discovery and emotional renewal, highlighting the importance of being alone and taking time for oneself. Gilkyson's lyrics are emotionally charged and introspective, urging one to take a break from a busy life and focus on oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Think I'll go down to the Coast for awhile,
I plan to visit the coastline and stay in a cabin by the sea for some time.
Find a little cabin by the Sea.
I want a small peaceful place by the sea where I can go whenever I need alone time.
Think I need to be alone for awhile,
I feel like being alone for some time in order to discover myself.
Find out what ever became of me.
I want to explore myself and figure out what I have become as a person.
Did you ever think that it would be like this?
Have you ever thought that life would be like this, with all its ups and downs?
Ah, the price you pay for lo-ove.
Love sometimes comes at a cost that one must be willing to pay.
Now the price you pay for everything, Yea-ah.
Everything in life comes with a price, not just love.
Think I'll go out for a little drive,
I plan to take a drive, maybe take the long way home.
Maybe I'll take the long way home.
I might just take a detour on my way back home.
I'm probably more than just a little high,
I might be under the influence of something, but I still need to be alone.
But I need some time to be alone.
Despite everything, I need some alone time to clear my head.
I'm gonna find out what it means to me
I want to discover what I want and what matters to me in life.
Ah, to give it all up for love
Sometimes people sacrifice everything for love.
To bet it all on what things seem to be, yea-ah.
People take risks in life, trying their best to make decisions based on what they think is right.
Think I'll go down to the Sea for awhile,
I decided to go to the sea again, this time to kick my shoes off in the sand.
Kick my shoes off in the sand.
I want to feel the sand between my toes.
Don't know what I'm gonna be for awhile,
I am not sure who I am or what I want to do with my life right now.
Don't want to try to understand.
I am not ready to delve into my life's purpose yet.
Ah-Oh, the price you pay, willingly.
Sometimes people pay a price for things willingly, knowing it's the right thing to do.
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joe Sauer
This song always makes me cry. It stirs something in depth of my heart.
John Paul Clarkson
Awesome