In addition to her work as a solo artist, Emily has played in the bands of artists including Grammy-winning Jacob Collier, Sara Bareilles, Leon Bridges, Esperanza Spalding, Lorde, Gwen Stefani, and Jenny Lewis. She will release her sixth album, “Woven Together,” in summer 2022.
Visitor
Emily Elbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New sights new smells foreign sounds
Dig deep in the new dirt
Which in reality is centuries older than me
In all the reincarnate lives
Sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives
How can we learn from the ones we've loved so dear that died?
Oh, to be a visitor
Getting wrapped up in a new tradition
Oh, to learn to find yourself
In all sorts of strange new positions
Alive, in love
And looking for peace in the east, west, flip the theme of conquest
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
How can we learn from our silhouettes
That we're just matter assembled like minarets
Casting a shadow in the light of the unrest
Egoless forms just here until the sun sets
Hovering above
A little scared to dive deeper but still in love
Entranced by the speaking of foreign tongues
Or the silence that lingers on
Oh, to be a visitor
Getting wrapped up in a new tradition
Oh, to learn to find yourself
In all sorts of strange new positions
Alive, in love
And looking for peace in the east, west, flip the theme of conquest
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
Oh, to be a visitor
Getting wrapped up in a new tradition
Oh, to learn to find yourself
In all sorts of strange new positions
Alive, in love
And looking for peace in the east, west, flip the theme of conquest
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
In "Visitor" by Emily Elbert, she describes the experience of traveling to a foreign land and being enchanted by the different cultures, traditions, and customs. The song starts with her expressing the wonder she feels when discovering something new, from sights to smells to sounds. She then delves deeper into the idea of reincarnation, with a sense of bewilderment on how to learn from those who have passed on. The main message of the song is to embrace the unknown and to learn from new experiences beyond one's comfort zone.
The chorus emphasizes the benefits of being a visitor: one can become immersed in new traditions and positions, and be a part of the adventure of discovering oneself in an unfamiliar setting. The line "looking for peace in the east, west, flip the theme of conquest" speaks to the idea of letting go of preconceived notions of the "other," and the entitlement of the conqueror mentality. The final repetition of the question "Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?" emphasizes the idea of leaving behind the familiar and the comfort zone, and opening up to new possibilities.
Overall, "Visitor" is an ode to the beauty of travel, the act of embracing the unknown, and the transformative power of being a part of cultures different from one's own.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, how fresh what now is found
Expressing awe and wonder at the new things discovered
New sights new smells foreign sounds
The excitement of experiencing different sensory stimuli in an unfamiliar place
Dig deep in the new dirt
Encouraging the exploration of the new and unknown
Which in reality is centuries older than me
Acknowledging the vast history and legacy of the newly discovered place
How can we learn from the ones we've loved so dear that died?
Reflecting on the importance of learning from past relationships and experiences
Oh, to be a visitor
Expressing the desire to be a newcomer and experience the unfamiliar
Getting wrapped up in a new tradition
Being fully immersed in a new culture or way of life
Oh, to learn to find yourself
Discovering a new sense of self through exposure to different ideas and ways of living
In all sorts of strange new positions
Being open to different experiences and ways of living
Alive, in love
Feeling fully alive and engaged in the present moment
And looking for peace in the east, west, flip the theme of conquest
Seeking a sense of tranquility and harmony, transcending the idea of dominance or conquest
Whatcha got left when all you know is gone?
Reflecting on the uncertainty and vulnerability when faced with the loss of familiarity
How can we learn from our silhouettes
Examining the essence of one's being even when physical form is no longer present
That we're just matter assembled like minarets
Recognizing the physical nature of humanity
Casting a shadow in the light of the unrest
Acknowledging the impact one can have even in the midst of chaos
Egoless forms just here until the sun sets
Emphasizing the transient nature of life and the importance of humility
Hovering above
Feeling above reality and dislocated from the material world
A little scared to dive deeper but still in love
Recognizing the fear of the unknown but still feeling a sense of passion and engagement
Entranced by the speaking of foreign tongues
Being captivated by the sound of an unfamiliar language or culture
Or the silence that lingers on
Appreciating the quiet moments amidst new experiences
Contributed by Caden R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.