“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’!”
Fireflies
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strobe lights in a jar
They must have come from far away
Their lights have burned all day
Now they flicker in a tired way
In their pint-sized clear glass home
The lyrics to Ellis Paul's song Fireflies tell a story of catching fireflies in a jar, a classic childhood activity. The opening line "Fire chasing fireflies" evokes the image of a child chasing after these glowing insects. The following line "Strobe lights in a jar" adds an almost magical quality to the image of the fireflies being trapped in a jar. The line "They must have come from far away" suggests that the fireflies are a novelty or something that isn't typically seen in the area.
The next two lines "Their lights have burned all day, now they flicker in a tired way" hint at the temporary nature of the fireflies' existence. Their lights have been shining all day, but now they are starting to flicker and fade, suggesting that their time is almost up. The final line "In their pint-sized clear glass home" emphasizes the fragility of the fireflies' existence, as they are now trapped in a small jar, unable to continue living their natural life cycle.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of wonder and beauty, but also the transient nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire chasing fireflies
I see the image of fire following the fireflies, as they dance playfully in the dark.
Strobe lights in a jar
The fireflies' light creates a flash, as if a camera's strobe light was illuminating a jar.
They must have come from far away
The fireflies seem to have traveled a long distance, bringing their brilliant light to this place.
Their lights have burned all day
The fireflies have been shining since the morning, never resting or relenting in their display.
Now they flicker in a tired way
The fireflies have become weary from their constant illumination and are now displaying their light less often.
In their pint-sized clear glass home
The fireflies are trapped in a small, transparent container, unable to fly freely and enjoy their natural habitat.
Lyrics © ELLIS PAUL PUBLISHING
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind