“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’!”
Alice's Champagne Palace
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From seattle up into anchorage
You step on the concrete
Gazing at the midnight sun
Jump in my pickup
And we'll drive
Bring your troubles
I got a pullout couch
And a job lined up at the cannery
Catch a ride to homer, alaska
Brother, the drinks will be on me
We'll raise a glass
Lift a chalice
Welcome to alice's champagne palace
The finest bar on the strip in homer, alaska
If you're from new york, la, dallas,
You'll find a home at the champagne palace
Alice will pour you a cold one
You go ahead and ask her,
If you're running away to alaska
Now the mountains rise from ocean to sky
In homer, alaska
And they'll steal your breath
And your troubles in the blink of an eye
You'll hear a band with a steel guitar
There's a window seat right at the bar
The whales are breeching
And alice is preaching
"like a rolling stone"
She'll push a mason jar
Across the bar and say
"mister, welcome home"
You've never been to
A prettier place than homer, alaska
You'll never find a kinder face
Than the one behind the bar
Homer's a town full of misfit toys
Renegade women, runaway boys
Everybody's got a
Story here in homer town
I guess sometimes you gotta go
To the end of the earth
Just to turn yourself around
The song "Alice's Champagne Palace" by Ellis Paul is a tale about a person who has decided to escape from their troubles in the city and head to Alaska, more specifically, to Alice's Champagne Palace in Homer, Alaska. The singer invites his partner to take a trip to his new home and escape the troubles they have been facing. The song tells a story of a place where people from all over come together in search of refuge from their problems. Homer, Alaska is painted as a place full of intriguing people with equally interesting tales to tell. The lyrics depict the beauty of the place and how it can capture your breath and troubles in a blink of the eye. At Alice's Champagne Palace, the drinks are always flowing, and Alice, the bartender, welcomes everyone with open arms. She pours a cold one and offers a mason jar and a listening ear.
The song is peppered with references to the beauty of Alaska and how the singer has found peace in the small town of Homer. It is ultimately a story of finding peace and comfort in a place that is far from home. The song is a great ode to the small towns all over the world where people gather, and everyone has a story to tell. The final line in the song speaks to this sentiment, where the singer reflects that sometimes you have to go to the end of the earth to turn yourself around.
Line by Line Meaning
You take a rickety plane
Starting your journey to Alaska with a not-so-reliable mode of transportation
From seattle up into anchorage
Flying from Seattle to Anchorage to ultimately reach Homer, Alaska
You step on the concrete
Just after getting off the plane, taking in the new surroundings
Gazing at the midnight sun
Noticing the unique phenomenon of the sun being up at midnight in Alaska
Jump in my pickup
Taking a friend for a ride in a pickup truck to explore Homer, Alaska
And we'll drive
Going on a scenic drive to see the natural beauty of the town
Bring your troubles
Although one may have come here to escape their troubles, bring them along all the same
Down highway nine
Taking Highway 9 which runs through Homer, Alaska
I got a pullout couch
Offering a friend a place to stay for the night
And a job lined up at the cannery
Already having a job opportunity for a new arrival at a local cannery
Catch a ride to homer, alaska
Encouraging others to visit and experience the town for themselves
Brother, the drinks will be on me
Offering to buy a friend a round of drinks at Alice's Champagne Palace
We'll raise a glass
Toasting to a good time ahead
Lift a chalice
Another way to refer to raising a glass in celebration
Welcome to alice's champagne palace
Introducing newcomers to Alice's Champagne Palace, a popular bar in Homer, Alaska
The finest bar on the strip in homer, alaska
Describing the bar as one of the best in town
If you're from new york, la, dallas,
Stating that no matter where a person is from, they are welcome at the bar
You'll find a home at the champagne palace
Implying that people will feel comfortable and welcomed at the bar
Alice will pour you a cold one
Highlighting the friendly and attentive service provided by the bartender, Alice
You go ahead and ask her,
Encouraging visitors to engage in conversation with Alice
If you're running away to alaska
Acknowledging that some people come to Alaska to escape their problems
Now the mountains rise from ocean to sky
Describing the stunning mountain views in Homer, Alaska
And they'll steal your breath
Being in awe of the natural beauty of the town
And your troubles in the blink of an eye
Implying that the scenery can make one forget their problems momentarily
You'll hear a band with a steel guitar
Listening to live music at Alice's Champagne Palace
There's a window seat right at the bar
Mentioning the seating arrangement at the bar
The whales are breeching
Observing whales jumping out of the water
And alice is preaching
Referring to Alice, the bartender, sharing stories and interacting with patrons
"like a rolling stone"
Quoting the Bob Dylan song being played or sung at the bar
She'll push a mason jar
Serving drinks in a mason jar, a popular drinking vessel in the region
Across the bar and say
Handing over a drink while talking to the customer
"mister, welcome home"
Making visitors feel at home and welcome in Homer, Alaska
You've never been to
Urging others to visit the town
A prettier place than homer, alaska
Touting the natural beauty of the town
You'll never find a kinder face
Meeting friendly and welcoming people in the town
Than the one behind the bar
Referring to Alice, the bartender, as a friendly face
Homer's a town full of misfit toys
Describing the unique and diverse group of people who call Homer, Alaska home
Renegade women, runaway boys
Offering examples of the types of people who live in Homer, Alaska
Everybody's got a
Implying that every person has an interesting story to tell
Story here in homer town
Highlighting the town's rich history and community
I guess sometimes you gotta go
Acknowledging the sentiment of needing to get away from one's problems
To the end of the earth
Referring to the remote location of Homer, Alaska
Just to turn yourself around
Suggesting that visiting Homer, Alaska can be a transformative experience
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind