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.
Rainiest Day Of Summer
Elizabeth & The Catapult Lyrics
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Everyone's holding parasols, whistling,
Everyone's wearing jackets but me,
I'm feeling melancholy.
Melancholy.
Everyone's got a bicycle but me.
Cruising down the avenue, like feathers on the sea.
It's so unsettling.
Unsettling.
But what is there to do,
when you know that you've been a fool,
By the rainiest of summer?
Rainiest day of summer.
Just when you decide,
You wanna take a little step outside,
You get plummeted by the downpour,
On the rainiest day of summer.
Everyone's got the message but me.
Rubber boots, and high tops, and skirts below the knee.
Everyone's got the message but me.
So why am I still laughing?
Why am I still laughing?
'Cause it seems I've found the evidence,
That the weatherman lied.
But maybe there's a side of us,
That wants to be denied.
(Rainiest day, rainiest day, rainiest day of summer)
But what is there to do,
when you know that you've been a fool
By the rainiest of summer?
Rainiest day of summer.
Just when you decide,
You wanna take a little step outside,
You get plummeted by the downpour,
On the rainiest day of summer.
The song "Rainiest Day of Summer" by Elizabeth & The Catapult features a melancholy tone as the singer laments about feeling left out when it comes to the latest fashion and trends, particularly during the rainy season. While everyone else seems to have stylish jackets and bicycles to ride, the singer is left to feel unsettling in their own skin. It's clear that the singer desires to be like everyone else, but circumstances are preventing them from feeling included. The chorus emphasizes the idea of feeling like a fool on the rainiest day of summer while taking a step outside can lead to being "plummeted by the downpour." The final verse highlights how the singer is still able to find joy even though they don't have what everyone else seems to have. They are content with the fact that the weatherman lied and that perhaps there's a part of us that wants to be denied.
Overall, this song deals with the theme of feeling left out and wanting to fit in, particularly when it comes to fashion and trends. However, it also suggests that there is more to life than simply conforming to what everyone else is doing or wearing, and that finding your own way can be just as rewarding.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's wearing jackets but me.
Everyone is prepared for the rain except me, and I feel left out.
Everyone's holding parasols, whistling,
People are enjoying the sunny days while I'm feeling down.
I'm feeling melancholy.
I'm feeling sad and depressed.
Everyone's got a bicycle but me.
Everyone is moving forward and enjoying their lives while I'm stuck.
Cruising down the avenue, like feathers on the sea.
Others are moving smoothly and freely while I'm struggling to keep up.
It's so unsettling.
This situation is making me feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
But what is there to do, when you know that you've been a fool,
What can you do when you realize that you've made a mistake?
By the rainiest of summer?
On the worst day of the season.
Just when you decide,
Just when you think you have a plan.
You wanna take a little step outside,
When you want to try something new or take a risk.
You get plummeted by the downpour,
But instead of success, you face failure or disappointment.
On the rainiest day of summer.
On the worst day possible.
Everyone's got the message but me.
Everyone else seems to know what's going on except me.
Rubber boots, and high tops, and skirts below the knee.
Everyone is dressed accordingly for the weather except me.
So why am I still laughing?
Despite feeling left out, I can still find humor in this situation.
'Cause it seems I've found the evidence,
It appears that the expected bad weather didn't happen.
That the weatherman lied.
The predicted forecast was incorrect.
But maybe there's a side of us,
Perhaps there's a part of us.
That wants to be denied.
That wants to deny the truth and believe in something different.
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.