Beam was raised outside Columbia, South Carolina, United States where his father worked in land management and his mother was a schoolteacher. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor's degree and the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Until the first Iron & Wine album, Beam's main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend lent him a four-track recorder. His friends handed out copies of demos that he had made, and the owner of Sub Pop Records personally contacted Beam and proposed a deal.
Beam released his first album, The Creek Drank the Cradle, on the Sub Pop label in 2002; Beam wrote, performed, recorded, and produced every track on the album by himself at a studio in his home. The album features acoustic guitars, banjo, and slide guitar; its music has been compared, variously, to that of Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young, Elliott Smith, and Ralph Stanley.
In 2003 The Sea & The Rhythm was released, an EP collecting other home-recorded tracks along the same lines as those on the debut. Beam's second album, Our Endless Numbered Days (2004), was recorded in a professional studio with a significant increase in fidelity. The focus still lies on acoustic material, but the inclusion of other band members gives rise to a very different sound.
Beam released an EP titled Woman King in February 2005, and the EP In the Reins, a collaboration with Calexico was released in September 2005. This joint work mostly features new full-band versions of previously recorded Iron and Wine rarities.
One of his most famous songs is a cover, which was featured on a commercial for M&M’s candies and in the 2004 film “Garden State” (and on its popular soundtrack), of "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service.
"Kiss Each Other Clean" is the fourth studio album by Iron & Wine, released January 25, 2011. The album's title is taken from the lyrics of track 10, "Your Fake Name Is Good Enough for Me". The album marks a further change in style – in an interview with SPIN magazine, Beam said “It’s more of a focused pop record. It sounds like the music people heard in their parent’s car growing up… that early-to-mid-’70s FM, radio-friendly music."
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Low Light Buddy Of Mine
Iron & Wine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is about your mind, but I can't complain.
He can make a lot of money, he can touch his toes,
He knows he never looked to the lights alone.
I love you and you love me,
So we never demand and we never agree
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
In the wake I'm waiting in a parking lot
He's jealous of me and what we've got
He can rattle his bell in shining shoe
And never in doubt where I found you
I love you and you love me,
So we don't get back and we don't say please
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
'Cause in the wake I'm waiting for the rain to pass
He's a buddy of mine, but that won't last
'Cause he ended down there on an empty cup
We both took him full and he showed up.
'Cause I love you and you love me,
So we both get stuck and we both get free.
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
The song "Low Light Buddy Of Mine" by Iron & Wine is a poetic and introspective piece that delves into the themes of loyalty, jealousy, and unspoken understandings present in a close relationship. The opening line "In the wake I'm waiting for the light to change" implies the singer is stagnant, unsure of how to move forward, and waiting for a change. The following line, "Is about your mind, but I can't complain," suggests that the singer knows the other person is struggling, and although they may not understand their thoughts, they are content to be present with them.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on their relationship with this "buddy," who seems to envy what they have. The lines "He's jealous of me and what we've got / He can rattle his bell in shining shoe" hint at the idea that the other person may have external success, but the singer's connection with their loved one is valuable and irreplaceable. The repetition of the lines "I love you and you love me, / And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees" creates a sense of harmony and balance, highlighting the mutual affection and understanding between the two people.
The final verse indicates that perhaps the "buddy" has fallen on hard times, hinted at by the phrase "empty cup." Despite this, the singer remains loyal and stands by their friend, noting that they both experience ups and downs together. The song's conclusion, with the repetition of "I love you and you love me," emphasizes the importance of deep connections and remaining present for each other through life's ebbs and flows.
Line by Line Meaning
In the wake I'm waiting for the light to change
He is waiting for change, though he knows it might take time.
He can make a lot of money, he can touch his toes,
He knows he never looked to the lights alone.
A person he knows can be very successful in many things, but he values the company of others.
I love you and you love me,
So we never demand and we never agree
He and his partner have a loving relationship where they respect each other's boundaries and opinions.
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
They are in a good place in their relationship and there is potential for growth and new experiences.
In the wake I'm waiting in a parking lot
He's jealous of me and what we've got
The person he is talking about is envious of his relationship with his partner.
He can rattle his bell in shining shoe
And never in doubt where I found you
The envious person puts on a show, but he knows where the true love lies.
I love you and you love me,
So we don't get back and we don't say please
Their relationship is not about keeping score or begging for attention and affection.
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
Their love has the potential for growth and renewal.
'Cause in the wake I'm waiting for the rain to pass
He's a buddy of mine, but that won't last
He is waiting for negative feelings to pass while acknowledging that his relationship with the envious person will not be the same anymore.
'Cause he ended down there on an empty cup
We both took him full and he showed up.
The envious person ended up with nothing while they both thrived when they were together.
'Cause I love you and you love me,
So we both get stuck and we both get free.
Their relationship has its ups and downs, but they work through it and grow together.
I love you and you love me
And there's a new fruit humming in the old fruit trees
Their love has the potential for growth and renewal.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMUEL ERVIN BEAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jennyjohnson9910
the angst expressed in this song is like therapy for my soul. it is extremely difficult to put into words. it feels like a home I don't completely remember but feels so familiar. Sam Beam, what a talent you have. Thank you so much for sharing your music with all of us ❤
@esaltes
I still listen to this album a lot. Hard to believe it came out in 2013.
@alexandriacristinaperez6464
This speaks to my mind, heart, body, and soul. Give it to me!!!
@evavox9761
Such a sweet little diddy! This man is straight Shakespeare all the time.
@RamanKathpalia
I am seriously abusing my replay button on this one!
@alexandriacristinaperez6464
I love this song!!!! From the first note; I fell in love. My favorite for sure. Thank you for the lyrics and instrumentals! #love
@adelineweeber5855
Amazing singer songwriter! Just found you, i‘m blessed!!!!
@mootpointless
Absolutely amazing song by an absolutely amazing person
@nickbatastini8366
Amazing Song. Iron and Wine makes magic.
@tiiishart
I prefer this version that the real one :)