“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’!”
SAY SOMETHING
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should warn you, you better dress for it
And I'm not the only one that thinks so
Beauty is skin deep, and yes, she is thick-skinned
But what's that for virtue?
[Chorus]
You want her to say some, say something, say anything,
Say some, say something, say anything,
Or say nothing at all...
She's browsing for postcards, staring back at the covergirls on the magazines
Even the clerk is checking her out
She's unaware that she owns the scene
Though everyone goes out of their way for her
And all her life reads like some fairy tale
But her world is so frail
What did I tell you, she never looks out her window to see the setting sun
You tell her the skies are blue, she'll say the storms will come
Because every day is rain, every day is rain...
Ellis Paul's "Say Something" talks about Carrie's icy personality and how it affects those around her. The first verse warns the listener about Carrie's cold nature, colder than the winter sun, and advises them to prepare for it. The second verse reveals how Beauty is only skin-deep, but Carrie is also thick-skinned, making it hard to get through to her. The chorus urges her to say something, anything, so people can understand her better.
The third verse depicts Carrie as looking at postcards and magazine covers, unaware that she is the center of attention. People go out of their way for her, but she remains ignorant of it. Her life reads like a fairy tale, but the truth is far from it. She never looks out of her window to see the beauty of the setting sun and always assumes that it's going to rain, painting a picture of her as hopeless and pessimistic.
Paul challenges Carrie and encourages her to say something, anything, to open up and communicate with the world. He shows that nobody is perfect, and even though Carrie may have her struggles, there is still a way for her to connect with and be understood by others.
Line by Line Meaning
Carrie's a cold one, colder than the winter sun
Carrie is emotionally distant and unapproachable, like the harsh winter sun.
I should warn you, you better dress for it
You should mentally prepare yourself before interacting with Carrie.
And I'm not the only one that thinks so
Others share my opinion of Carrie's coldness.
Beauty is skin deep, and yes, she is thick-skinned
Carrie's physical attractiveness is overshadowed by her emotional toughness, making it difficult to connect with her emotionally.
But what's that for virtue?
Carrie's thick skin and emotional distance are not positive qualities.
You want her to say some, say something, say anything, Or say nothing at all...
The singer is unsure of what they want from Carrie - conversation or silence.
Say some, say something, say anything, Or say nothing at all...
The singer reiterates their uncertainty about what to say to Carrie.
She's browsing for postcards, staring back at the covergirls on the magazines
Carrie is preoccupied with superficial imagery.
Even the clerk is checking her out
Carrie is so strikingly beautiful that even others can't help but be drawn to her.
She's unaware that she owns the scene
Carrie is oblivious to the effect that her beauty has on those around her.
Though everyone goes out of their way for her
Despite her coldness, others still try to please her.
And all her life reads like some fairy tale
Carrie's life seems like a storybook fantasy.
But her world is so frail
Beneath the surface, Carrie's life is not as perfect as it seems.
What did I tell you, she never looks out her window to see the setting sun
Carrie is so self-absorbed that she doesn't appreciate the natural beauty around her.
You tell her the skies are blue, she'll say the storms will come
Carrie has a negative outlook on life and always sees the worst in things.
Because every day is rain, every day is rain...
Carrie's pessimism and emotional distance make every day feel dark and gloomy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ELLIS PAUL PUBLISHING
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind