“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’!”
Traffic
Ellis Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think Ill race this Caddy with my Chevrolet
Hey man, don't you know the price of gasoline?
You're better off in a Chevrolet
Oh but you wont drive that in a raquetball club
You don't want the patrons giving you the royal snub
So you talk of the upholstery in the hot tub
You fight to remain humble in all them rising bubbles
What do you do when somebody's looking at you out a window in a car of four lanes?
Yeah the traffics going nowhere and your bodys getting hot
All you gotta do is sit and complain
You go no air condition, no tape deck slot
no pretty babe to kiss and no cork to pop
You go a whole lot of nothing, got a whole lot of not
I guess you got to face it: you're sitting and caught in a whole lot of traffic
It kind of makes you psychopathic
You wanna pull out a semi-automatic
Your minds going crazy and the radios blaring static
Sharp shades, what do you say
Are those the ones blocking out the ultraviolet rays?
GQ gave them incredible raves
I read it off the shelf, could not afford to pay
Said Seek prevention from those cataracts
Hide your eyes, be cool when you winter raft
Hey they're practically essential without them ozone findings
You don't want to look like a poor person in low-income blindings
What do you do when somebody's looking at you out a window in a car of four lanes?
Yeah the traffics going nowhere and your body's getting hot
All you gotta do is sit and complain
You go no air condition, no tape deck slot
no pretty babe to kiss and no cork to pop
You go a whole lot of nothing, got a whole lot of not
I guess you got to face it: you're sitting and caught in a whole lot of traffic
It kind of makes you psychopathic
You wanna pull out a semi-automatic
Your minds going crazy and the radios blaring static
The lyrics to Ellis Paul's "Traffic" are a commentary on the frustration and boredom that comes with being stuck in traffic. The song tells the story of a person sitting in their car, trying to pass the time and distract themselves from the monotony of their surroundings. The opening lines convey a sense of competition and bravado, as the singer considers racing against a more expensive car. But soon, the reality of the situation sets in, as the cost of gas and social constraints become apparent. The second verse highlights the trivial concerns that occupy the singer's mind while stuck in traffic, such as their sunglasses and the lack of air conditioning. The repetition of the phrase "you go a whole lot of nothing, got a whole lot of not" further emphasizes the emptiness and frustration of the situation. The chorus reinforces this sentiment, encouraging the listener to simply "sit and complain" in the face of their powerlessness.
The song can be interpreted as a critique of American individualism and consumer culture, with the emphasis on luxury cars and designer sunglasses highlighting the obsessions of contemporary society. The singer's frustration and rage at being trapped in traffic could be read as a metaphor for feeling trapped in a larger societal system. The repeated references to violence, such as the desire to pull out a "semi-automatic," suggest a deeper anger and desperation that can arise when people feel powerless.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop light, what do you say
The singer addresses a traffic light, wondering if it will change and allow him to continue driving.
I think Ill race this Caddy with my Chevrolet
The singer plans to compete against a Cadillac with his own car, a Chevrolet.
Hey man, don't you know the price of gasoline?
The singer questions someone who is driving an expensive car, wondering if they realize how much money they must spend on gas.
You're better off in a Chevrolet
The artist suggests that owning a more affordable car like a Chevrolet would be more practical.
Oh but you wont drive that in a raquetball club
The artist acknowledges that certain social situations require a person to have a certain type of car and suggests that a Chevrolet may not be suitable in such situations.
You don't want the patrons giving you the royal snub
The singer implies that some people may judge others based on their car and it's important to fit in at certain places.
So you talk of the upholstery in the hot tub
The singer suggests that people may try to impress others by talking about luxury features in their cars, like fancy seats that may be found in a hot tub.
You fight to remain humble in all them rising bubbles
The artist tries to stay grounded and not let material possessions and social status go to his head, even in situations where others may be showing off their fancy cars.
What do you do when somebody's looking at you out a window in a car of four lanes?
The artist poses a rhetorical question to express frustration with being stuck in traffic, which leads to other drivers staring at each other.
Yeah the traffics going nowhere and your bodys getting hot
The artist comments on the discomfort of being stuck in traffic and the rising temperature in his vehicle.
All you gotta do is sit and complain
The singer suggests that the only thing one can do in such a frustrating situation is to gripe about it.
You go no air condition, no tape deck slot
The artist describes the lack of amenities in his car that would make sitting in traffic more bearable.
no pretty babe to kiss and no cork to pop
The singer jokes that he doesn't have anyone to share a bottle of champagne with and distract him from the boredom of being stuck in traffic.
You go a whole lot of nothing, got a whole lot of not
The singer feels helpless and stuck in a situation where he is not making any progress, but also doesn't have anything to distract him from the tedium.
I guess you got to face it: you're sitting and caught in a whole lot of traffic
The singer accepts that he is stuck in traffic and there's nothing he can do to change that fact.
It kind of makes you psychopathic
The artist exaggerates the frustration and boredom of being stuck in traffic by saying that it can make someone unhinged.
You wanna pull out a semi-automatic
The artist continues the exaggeration by suggesting that someone might be driven to violence or self-harm by the frustration of being stuck in traffic.
Your minds going crazy and the radios blaring static
The singer describes the chaos and confusion that can come with being stuck in traffic, including a noisy and unsatisfying radio station.
Sharp shades, what do you say
The singer addresses his sunglasses, wondering if they are effective at blocking harmful rays from the sun.
Are those the ones blocking out the ultraviolet rays?
The artist asks a rhetorical question to explore the functionality of his sunglasses.
GQ gave them incredible raves
The artist cites a magazine that praised the sunglasses for their style and functionality.
I read it off the shelf, could not afford to pay
The artist admits that he couldn't actually buy the magazine that praised his sunglasses, possibly implying that he can't afford it.
Said Seek prevention from those cataracts
The magazine's recommendation for the sunglasses is to prevent eye damage from cataracts that can be caused by UV rays.
Hide your eyes, be cool when you winter raft
The artist suggests that the sunglasses are useful in a variety of situations, such as winter outdoor activities like rafting.
Hey they're practically essential without them ozone findings
The singer implies that wearing sunglasses is becoming increasingly important as the Earth's ozone layer is depleted and there are more harmful rays to worry about.
You don't want to look like a poor person in low-income blindings
The singer jokes that it's important to wear sunglasses to avoid looking like someone who can't afford them or has to wear cheaper models.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ELLIS PAUL PUBLISHING
Written by: ELLIS PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind