Combining elements of jazz, pop and funk, this New York City-based group creates a singular sound with memorable melodies and unique, sophisticated harmonies. Fronted by the clear sultry voice of singer songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, they are attracting a buzz from the music press.
Ziman wrote her first song at age six, banging out melodies on an old upright in a Greenwich Village laundry room. A born romantic, Ziman transformed the music of Debussy, molding it to the driving rhythms of the washer and dryer. With Debussy and Bach on her left and the Beatles just to her right, Elizabeth quickly developed a sound all her own. Her “Baroque” pop songs have frequently been compared to those of Rufus Wainright, Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro. Elizabeth received the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award in 2001 for her song “Like Water is to Sand”. From two years, she toured across the U.S. with soul queen Patti Austin, who kicked off her tour at Lincoln Center in 2003. Ziman has also performed with Enya, singing with her on Regis and Kelly as well as the CBS Morning Show. Comprised of Elizabeth Ziman (vocals, keys), Danny Molad (drums), and Peter Lalish (guitar), Elizabeth and the Catapult came into existence in 2004.
Ziman has performed extensively in New York City and Boston (The Knitting Factory, The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, The Middle East, T.T. The Bears). They completed their S-T EP and promoted the album on ‘soundcheck’ with John Shaefer(WNYC) in April. They have opened for national headliners like Jessie Harris, Kirk Kirkwood (of Meat Puppets fame), The Wood Brothers (featuring Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood), and Amanda Palmer. They were spotlighted in the fall issue of Northeast Performer and the featured Billboard Underground Artist in October 2006.
Apathy
Elizabeth & The Catapult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't patronize me
I wasn't staring at nothing for nothing
Oh, Apathy
Don't hypnotize me
Once upon a time I thought I really stood for something
Something much greater than my love
Maybe I'd remember what it was, what it was, what it was
Oh, Apathy
Don't patronize me
Wake me up, I dare not sleep another hour
I'm waiting for the mission bells
My greatest fear is that I'll wait for you forever
Still I'll never hear the sound, hear the sound
I can't let that happen now
Oh, Apathy
Don't patronize me
Starry night is nothing like what I expected
Can't let it get under my skin
This is not the dream long ago imagined
Then again nothing ever is, ever is, ever is
The song "Apathy" by Elizabeth and the Catapult is a tale of frustration, disillusionment, and lack of motivation. The singer is addressing apathy, not as a feeling, but as a force that is working against her. The chorus - which repeats throughout the song - is a plea to apathy, not to diminish or hypnotize her into a state of unfeeling or inaction. She insists that she wasn't staring at nothing for nothing, implying that there is a purpose behind her efforts that she feels apathy is hindering.
The second verse expands on this idea of purpose and passion that has been lost, which the singer compares to her love. She is saying that she used to stand for something much greater than just her personal desires, but has lost sight of what that is. She recognizes the possibility of retrieving this sense of purpose if she were to stop "all of her talking," which suggests that her own anxieties and the surrounding noise are getting in the way of her clarity. In the third verse, she calls out apathy again, asking it to wake her up, daring herself to not sleep another hour. She is waiting for the mission bells, symbolizing the call to action, the guidance she needs to get back on track. Her greatest fear is that she'll wait for it forever, which suggests a lingering worry that she may never feel motivated and inspired again.
Overall, the song is a relatable and emotional journey, describing the sensation of being stuck in a rut and lacking excitement and aspirations. The singer is urging herself not to succumb to the temptation of apathy and to hold onto her dreams, even when nothing seems to go as planned.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Apathy
The singer is addressing the concept of apathy.
Don't patronize me
The singer doesn't want to be belittled by apathy.
I wasn't staring at nothing for nothing
The singer was deep in thought and not just staring off into space aimlessly.
Don't hypnotize me
The artist doesn't want to be lulled into a state of indifference by apathy.
Once upon a time I thought I really stood for something
The artist used to believe in something that was greater than herself.
Something much greater than my love
This belief was bigger and more important than the singer's self-interest and desires.
If I just took the time to stop all of my talking
The singer realizes that she talks too much and should listen more.
Maybe I'd remember what it was, what it was, what it was
By quieting her mind and reflecting, the artist hopes to remember what she used to believe in.
Wake me up, I dare not sleep another hour
The artist is scared to waste any more time being detached and unfeeling.
I'm waiting for the mission bells
The artist is waiting for a sign or calling to show her what her purpose is.
My greatest fear is that I'll wait for you forever
The singer is worried that she will never find her calling and will forever be lost and unfulfilled.
Still I'll never hear the sound, hear the sound
The artist is afraid that she will miss her calling and not hear the message she is waiting for.
I can't let that happen now
The singer resolves to take action and not let her fear of apathy hold her back.
Starry night is nothing like what I expected
The singer is disappointed that reality often falls short of our expectations.
Can't let it get under my skin
The singer won't let this disappointment bring her down or make her apathetic.
This is not the dream long ago imagined
The artist recognizes that things do not always turn out as planned.
Then again nothing ever is, ever is, ever is
The artist acknowledges that life is full of surprises and never goes exactly as planned.
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC
Written by: ELIZABETH ZIMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind