“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’!”
Take All the Sky You Need
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said define what you think freedom means if you want freedom
We can wake up this lullaby town
Burn through every red light I found
Lift a dust cloud
Break the speed of sound
you could break free
If you want to stay I'll make a front door key
And if you need space to fly free
Take all the sky you need
I stand on the rooftops; I look down on my story
And it swallows me
Beyond the horizon, the taillights, the glories
Will you follow me?
(Freedom) I need to know who I am
(Freedom) I'm like a moth in your hand
(Sweet freedom) do I fly or stand?
Or fall on my knees?
If you want to run I'll pack my suitcase
If you want to stay I'll make a front door key
And if you need space to fly free
Take all the sky you need
If you want to run I'll pack my suitcase
If you want to stay I'll make a front door key
And if you need space to fly free
Take all the sky you need
The song "Take All the Sky You Need" by Ellis Paul is about freedom and the uncertainty that comes with it. The opening line of the song talks about a person with a blue eye looking right through the singer. This could mean that the person is not able to understand the singer's perspective on freedom. The person challenges the singer to define what freedom means to him. The singer then talks about breaking free from everything that binds him, waking up from a lullaby town, and burning through every red light he can find. This is a metaphor for living life on his own terms.
The chorus of the song repeats the message that the person listening to the singer should take all the sky they need to fly free. If they want to leave, the singer will pack their suitcase, but if they want to stay, the singer will make them a front door key. The singer is willing to provide support to the person in finding their own freedom.
The bridge of the song talks about the singer's need to know who he is, whether he should fly or stand, or fall on his knees. This shows that the singer is also struggling with his own identity and the freedom to be whoever he wants to be.
Overall, "Take All the Sky You Need" is a song that encourages people to find their own path and fly free. The song talks about the uncertainty and challenges that come with freedom, and the support that can be provided by others.
Line by Line Meaning
You turn a blue eye to me and you look right through me
You ignore me and don't acknowledge my presence.
You said define what you think freedom means if you want freedom
You challenge me to come up with my own definition of freedom if I truly desire it.
We can wake up this lullaby town
We can escape this dull and uneventful place.
Burn through every red light I found
We can break the rules and take risks.
Lift a dust cloud
We can create a commotion and chaos.
Break the speed of sound, you could break free
We can go as fast as we want and break free from constraints.
If you want to run I'll pack my suitcase
If you want to leave, I'll be ready to go with you.
If you want to stay I'll make a front door key
If you want to stay, I'll make sure you have a key to our home.
And if you need space to fly free
And if you need room to be yourself and pursue your dreams,
Take all the sky you need
I encourage you to take all the opportunities you can to reach your goals.
I stand on the rooftops; I look down on my story
I reflect on my life and the choices I've made.
And it swallows me
I feel overwhelmed by the weight of my past.
Beyond the horizon, the taillights, the glories
There is a world of opportunities and experiences waiting for me.
Will you follow me?
Will you join me on this journey?
Freedom) I need to know who I am
I need to discover my true identity and purpose.
(Freedom) I'm like a moth in your hand
I feel vulnerable and unsure in your presence.
(Sweet freedom) do I fly or stand?
Should I take risks and live freely or stay in my comfort zone?
Or fall on my knees?
Should I give up or keep trying?
If you want to run I'll pack my suitcase
I am willing to support you in any decision you make.
If you want to stay I'll make a front door key
I will always be here for you, no matter what you choose.
And if you need space to fly free
And if you need room to be yourself and pursue your dreams,
Take all the sky you need
I encourage you to take all the opportunities you can to reach your goals.
Lyrics © ELLIS PAUL PUBLISHING
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind