“Ellis Paul is one of Boston’s best-ever songwriting exports...” – The Boston Globe. The Day After Everything Changed, the 2010 album from singer- songwriter Ellis Paul, was released on Ellis’ label, Black Wolf Records. Since emerging from the Boston music scene, Paul’s music has been consistently recognized and celebrated worldwide. The new record reinforces this acclaim and is sure to cement his place as one of America’s most talented songwriters.
Recorded in Nashville, the 15-song album was produced by Thad Beaty and Jason Collum and features five songs co-written by Paul’s longtime friend and collaborator, Kristian Bush, founder of the Grammy Award winning band Sugarland. Several of the Sugarland musicians served as Ellis’ backing band for the recording. Throughout 2011, to keep the collaboration alive, Paul will continue to open numerous sold-out arena dates for Sugarland on the current Incredible Machine Tour.
“Ellis has a voice that is so powerful that you know who it is the second he comes through your radio. His music and songs are a new birth in American sound that makes me want to go see concerts again.” -Kristian Bush / Sugarland
“The Day After Everything Changed” is Paul’s first studio album in five years and his 16th release to date. The project was 100% funded by his loyal fan base. The songs on the record reflect Paul’s commitment to storytelling, exemplified in the title track “The Day After Everything Changed.” Described by Paul himself, the songs on the album are about people who are at a crossroads in their life. “I like songs to be cultural events, little ones, that somehow tell me what it feels like to be living here on this planet, in this country, at this time. I want to hear about people’s joys and woes and apply them to my own. You can’t fake real life stories. When you’re faking it --it’s obvious. As long as the writing feels real -- it works in any genre.”
Movie director Peter Farrelly, of the Farrelly Brothers, praises Ellis Paul as “a national treasure”. Ellis’ songs have appeared in the soundtracks for three Farrelly Bothers movies, “Me Myself & Irene” with Jim Carey, “Shallow Hal” with Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow, and in February 2011, the Farrelly Brothers latest project, "Hall Pass" starring Owen Wilson and Alyssa Milano will showcase up to 9 musical tracks off of Ellis' latest album The Day After Everything Changed as the score of this hit movie. This is Ellis’ third Hollywood blockbuster credit.
With “The Day After Everything Changed” we're struck more by the fact that Paul is still playing at the top of his game to such an extraordinary degree. It is, as always, the quality not the quantity but in this case we're rewarded with both. / Direct Current
Ellis celebrated his 20th anniversary of being a touring musician on July 2010 when the Mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, declared July 9th 2010 “Ellis Paul Day” to honor one of Boston’s leading musical exports. Ellis will be anointing his 2 decades of song during his “20th Anniversary Tour” throughout 2011. Over the past two decades Paul has garnered numerous honors including 14 Boston Music Awards, second only to Aerosmith. He has performed with countless acclaimed musicians, including Patty Griffin, John Mayer, Ani Difranco, John Prine, Sugarland, and at the request of Woody’s daughter Nora Guthrie and after several trips to the Woody Guthrie archives, Ellis even has a co-write with Woody, their song “God’s Promise”.
Woody Guthrie’s daughter Nora says of Ellis, “A singer songwriter is only as good as the times he reflects. Wise, tender, brilliant and biting, Ellis is one of our best human compasses, marking in melodies and poems where we’ve been and where we might go if we so choose to. Personally Ellis, I’m goin’ where you’re goin’!”
3000 Miles
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm from Eau Claire, Wisconsin
I've been living out of a
suitcase now for fourteen days
I walked the boulevard in Hollywood
I caught a Vegas show that was no good
Met a dancer there that starred in a broadway play
But it's a lonely world from this Greyhound
Three thousand miles
I've been here fourteen days
Three thousand miles
Now twenty-one is as good a guess as any age that I'd confess to
Let's just say I'm old enough to get away
Back in school, I found the only written truth
On bathroom stalls and telephone booths
I studied awhile, but college got in my way
I've learned much more from the back of this Greyhound
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days
Three thousand miles
I've come a long, long way
Three thousand miles
Have you seen?
The world outside is turning
And it's yours
we were put here for the learning
People talk to themselves on Greyhounds
Even the driver strains to hear
They tell the same forgotten story
Will it fall on forgetful ears?
Down in Houston on comes this woman
With two kids and a bottle of booze
And she cracked them both like match heads
Whenever they ventured too close to her fuse
And I sat with a girl from Boston
Playing cards for cigarettes
I lost her name with the poker game
But her name I will never forget
You never forget the view from these windows
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days
Three thousand miles
I've come a long, long way
Three thousand miles
"3000 Miles" by Ellis Paul is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a man named Robert Wilson who has been living out of a suitcase for fourteen days. He introduces himself as being from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and talks about his experiences while on the road. He has been to Hollywood, caught a Vegas show that was a disappointment, and met a dancer who starred in a Broadway play. However, despite all of these experiences, he acknowledges that it's a lonely world when you're on the road for this long. The song's refrain is "Three Thousand Miles," which is meant to indicate the distance he has traveled in his two-week journey.
Throughout the song, we learn more about Robert's backstory. He mentions that he is probably twenty-one years old, but he doesn't want to specify his age. He says that he found the truth written on bathroom stalls and telephone booths back in school, but he never got to complete his studies because college got in his way. On his journey, he has learned a lot more about life from the back of a Greyhound bus than he ever did in college.
The song also presents some snapshots of the people Robert has encountered on his journey. In one scene, a woman with two children and a bottle of booze climbs on the bus and becomes confrontational when someone gets too close to her. In another, Robert plays poker with a girl from Boston and loses her name but remembers her because of their conversation. These vignettes provide a glimpse into the lives of people who travel long distances by bus, and perhaps more poignantly, they show how meaningful human interactions can be even in the briefest of encounters.
"3000 Miles" is a highly emotive song that captures the feeling of longing and loneliness that comes with travel. It paints a picture of a man who is searching for something, but doesn't know exactly what he's looking for. Perhaps the most striking thing about the song is its commitment to depicting the lives of everyday people. The Greyhound bus is a mode of transportation that is often reserved for people who can't afford to fly or take a car, and the song gives voice to these travelers in a way that makes them feel seen and heard.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Robert Wilson
The singer, Robert Wilson, introduces himself.
I'm from Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Robert Wilson hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
I've been living out of a suitcase now for fourteen days
Robert Wilson has been traveling for two weeks with his belongings in a suitcase.
I walked the boulevard in Hollywood
Robert Wilson strolled along the famous street of Hollywood.
I caught a Vegas show that was no good
Robert Wilson saw a disappointing performance in Las Vegas.
Met a dancer there that starred in a broadway play
Robert Wilson encountered a Broadway dancer during his travels.
But it's a lonely world from this Greyhound
Robert Wilson feels lonely while traveling on a Greyhound bus.
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days
Robert Wilson reiterates that he has been traveling for two weeks.
Three thousand miles
Robert Wilson has traveled a distance of three thousand miles.
Now twenty-one is as good a guess as any age that I'd confess to
Robert Wilson implies he is slightly older than 21 years old.
Let's just say I'm old enough to get away
Robert Wilson is mature enough to travel on his own.
Back in school, I found the only written truth
Robert Wilson discovered the truth only in writing while he was in school.
On bathroom stalls and telephone booths
Robert Wilson found these writings on public restrooms and telephone booths.
I studied awhile, but college got in my way
Robert Wilson attempted to study the written truth, but college interrupted his pursuit.
I've learned much more from the back of this Greyhound
Robert Wilson has gained more knowledge while riding the back of a Greyhound bus.
Have you seen? The world outside is turning
The artist questions if the listener has observed the world around them.
And it's yours we were put here for the learning
The artist suggests that humans were created for the purpose of learning and experiencing life.
People talk to themselves on Greyhounds
The people on the Greyhound bus talk to themselves.
Even the driver strains to hear
The Greyhound bus driver has difficulty hearing the passengers.
They tell the same forgotten story
The riders repeat stories that have been forgotten.
Will it fall on forgetful ears?
The artist wonders if the stories will be remembered and retold.
Down in Houston on comes this woman
A woman boards the bus in Houston.
With two kids and a bottle of booze
The woman carries two children and an alcoholic beverage.
And she cracked them both like match heads
The woman responds to her children in a violent manner.
Whenever they ventured too close to her fuse
The children received harsh treatment when they crossed the mother's boundaries.
And I sat with a girl from Boston
Robert Wilson sat with a girl from Boston on the bus.
Playing cards for cigarettes
The two played a card game and wagered cigarettes as bets.
I lost her name with the poker game
Robert Wilson forgets the girl's name after playing the card game.
But her name I will never forget
Despite forgetting her name, Robert Wilson remembers the importance of the girl.
You never forget the view from these windows
Robert Wilson will remember the views he saw from the windows of the bus.
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days
Robert Wilson asserts again that he has been traveling for two weeks.
Three thousand miles
Robert Wilson has covered a distance of three thousand miles in his travels.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Go Ez-ier On Us & Enjoy! 😃
A classic track by a Legend! 🤟🤟🤟 🌝
rover2007514
I went to a lady antebellum concert a month ago and had the pleasure to have Ellis Paul open for them. Not only is he from Maine, but he was awesome. My wife and I had never heard of him and his music hit us like an anvil. Not unlike Otis Taylor. Soulful and energenic. Almost spiritual. I won't say I have a man-crush... but I'm close!
Sirris
So amazing. This is what music sounds like without auto-tune. It may have been a while since you've heard it, and you may not even know it.
Rob Young
One of my very favorites! The enthusiasm is contagious !!! Thank you Ellis!
Julio Cesar Fernandes
such great music and performance!
A. Anderson
I saw my first Ellis Paul show in 1991 in Boston with End Construction. I've seen him in many places since then. I love his music- always have, always will! Ahh, reminiscing...
LEFTERIS LOIZOS
wonderful!
2ndDayRiffs
Terrific!
Sallie Planty
Just recently discovered Ellis Paul. Why? Got an email that he's going to performing at a casino just up the road. Who? So, I came to YouTube and Voila! OMG! Love him!
ThisShowisboring
Great Musician ! They dont make em like they use too..