Perkins has been known as Elvis since birth; it is not a moniker he pointedly adopted. Perkins was raised in Los Angeles and New York and took to music at an early age. He briefly learned the saxophone before picking up the guitar in high school and taking lessons with Prescott Niles, one-time bassist for The Knack. While he played in rock bands, Perkins also developed an interest in the classical guitar, and began to compose music in both idioms. He also wrote poetry, and that gradually morphed into lyrics. After a short stint at college, he began to cultivate the idiosyncratic, highly personalized style that distinguishes Ash Wednesday.
"It's been a long journey, long in the coming," Perkins admits, when he discusses the album, and it took a serious detour on September 11, 2001, when his mother, a passenger on the ill-fated American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles, perished in the attack on New York City's twin towers, a day before the ninth anniversary of his father's passing. Ash Wednesday has been shaped in part by this tragic event and its aftermath.
Elvis Perkins toured extensively in 2006 and 2007 in support of Ash Wednesday with his band Elvis Perkins in Dearland, which includes multi-instrumentalists Brigham Brough, Wyndham Boylan-Garnett and Nick Kinsey.
Elvis Perkins in Dearland have just announced the completion of their eponymous debut which will be released on March 10th, 2009.
Hey
Elvis Perkins In Dearland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll feel our way to the top of the stairs
And say hey, oh yes today
Shake your hands through the chains above
Let them fight, we'll catch a dove and
Say whatever you say
I don't mind if you dream out loud
Fix your hair a fallout cloud,
If it we up to me I would leave it up to you
Train the searchlights on some other lives
Forget these kids, forget these wives, 'cause
Hey who could catch us anyway?
When the moon buries a sun in the dead sea
It's the cemetery of the century, but
Hey it was a starry day
When it gets dark on the count of night
Find your way with a butcher knife, but
Hey just be careful out there, watch who you run into
If it were up to me, I would leave it all up to you
The lyrics of Elvis Perkins In Dearland's song "Hey" convey a sense of freedom and spontaneity. The song speaks about breaking free from the societal constraints and not letting anyone dictate your choices. The opening lines of the song, "Come with me I'll take you anywhere, we'll feel our way to the top of the stairs," persuades the listener to let go of their fears and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that life is short and unpredictable, and one should make the most of it. The line "Train the searchlights on some other lives, forget these kids, forget these wives, 'cause Hey who could catch us anyway?" hints at the fleeting nature of life and the need to undertake bold decisions without worrying about trifles.
The final lines "When it gets dark on the count of night, find your way with a butcher knife, but Hey just be careful out there, watch who you run into if it were up to me, I would leave it all up to you," are somewhat paradoxical. They demonstrate the importance of having faith in oneself while also acknowledging that life is unpredictable, and one should proceed with caution even while taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
Come with me I'll take you anywhere
Join me and we can go anywhere you want, together.
We'll feel our way to the top of the stairs
We'll climb upwards steadily, even if we don't know where we're going.
And say hey, oh yes today
Let's acknowledge the present moment and revel in it.
Shake your hands through the chains above
Defy limitations by reaching out to things that seem unattainable.
Let them fight, we'll catch a dove and
Bypass conflicts and focus on something peaceful and beautiful instead.
Say whatever you say
Speak your truth without fear of judgment.
I don't mind if you dream out loud
I'll listen to your aspirations, no matter how far-fetched they might seem.
Fix your hair a fallout cloud,
Even if you look disheveled like after a catastrophe, I'll love you all the same.
Hey I don't mind whatever you're going through
I'll always support you, no matter what you're facing.
If it were up to me I would leave it up to you
I trust in your decision-making abilities and respect your autonomy.
Train the searchlights on some other lives
Don't scrutinize other people's existence, let them be.
Forget these kids, forget these wives, 'cause
Avoid being preoccupied with societal constructs or conventions.
Hey who could catch us anyway?
Seize the day and don't worry about anyone trying to stop us.
When the moon buries a sun in the dead sea
In a moment of apparent darkness, when nothing is certain or predictable.
It's the cemetery of the century, but
Despite the despair or pessimism that may surround us.
Hey it was a starry day
We can still find light or something beautiful amidst the uncertainty.
When it gets dark on the count of night
When things get challenging or difficult to navigate.
Find your way with a butcher knife, but
Use whatever means you have to get through it, even if it's unconventional or harsh.
Hey just be careful out there, watch who you run into
Be aware of potential dangers or risks that may arise.
If it were up to me, I would leave it all up to you
I place my trust in you and your ability to handle what comes your way.
Writer(s): Elvis Brooke Perkins
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.