While living as a student in Oregon he founded the lively American Rock / Folk group Wolf Colonel which recorded multiple releases on Olympia Washington's K Records. After years of touring with a rotating band roster and solo he began recording and touring as a solo act, (although sometimes with backing band). He released 3 records on K Records as Jason Anderson.
Extensive touring eventually led him back to his New England roots. He began playing shows around the New England subcontinent in the mid 00's solo and in a duo call The Rabbits. More recently he has been in a project group doing American Rock.
Jason's recordings are a history of artistic progression from humorous and hopeful youth through to the sweet and thoughtful mid-20's. His live concerts are appealing to all ages and genders, his theatrical performing style recalls the works of Homer and Plato, and reminds audience members why people like to see musicians play music.
So Long
Jason Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the parking lot
of a chinese restaurant
in salem, new hampshire
listening to elliot smith
on compact disk
his third album sounds
all i want, at least right now
is to be close to you
the smell of your hair
is literally amazing, honestly
this is like one of those awesome dreams
where you get to hang out with the guys from fugazi
and you're so frustrated and angry,
that it was just a dream
but this is not goodbye,
this is just goodnight
you're back to massachusetts
but i'm to the north
i'll see you in six or seven days, go.
the best thing in the world
is to love someone
and they love you back.
The lyrics of Jason Anderson's song So Long describe a specific moment in time, with Anderson sitting in his sister's Volvo in a Chinese restaurant parking lot in Salem, New Hampshire, listening to Elliot Smith on CD. He then expresses his desire to be close to someone and details the specific attraction he has to their scent. Anderson then contrasts his desire to be with someone with the dreamlike feeling he has of being frustrated when hanging out with the members of Fugazi is just a dream. He then bids the person goodbye but reassuringly states that it is just goodnight and that he will see them again in six or seven days. The song concludes with a sentiment about the enduring power of love.
At its core, "So Long" is a song about longing for human connection in a moment of isolation. Anderson cleverly uses specific details about his surroundings and sensory experiences to paint a vivid picture of his feelings. The reference to Elliot Smith on CD is fitting, as Smith was known for his introspective music and lyrics that often dealt with themes of loneliness and disillusionment. The dreamlike frustration with hanging out with the members of Fugazi also taps into the idea that music can provide a temporary escape from reality. Ultimately, the song's message of the power of love to overcome isolation is universal and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
sitting in your sister's volvo
I am currently seated inside your sister's Volvo car.
in the parking lot
The car is parked at the designated parking lot.
of a chinese restaurant
The parking lot belongs to a Chinese cuisine restaurant.
in salem, new hampshire
This restaurant is located in Salem, New Hampshire.
listening to elliot smith
I am playing music by Elliot Smith.
on compact disk
The music is being played from a compact disk player.
his third album sounds
The specific music album being played is Elliot Smith's third album.
pretty good, mhmm
I am currently impressed by the quality of the music.
all i want, at least right now
My current desire is to be close to you.
is to be close to you
What I desire the most at the moment is to be in close proximity to you.
the smell of your hair
I am fascinated by the pleasant scent of your hair.
is literally amazing, honestly
I genuinely believe that the odor of your hair is truly fantastic.
this is like one of those awesome dreams
The current situation feels like one of those fantastic dreams.
where you get to hang out with the guys from fugazi
In this dream, I get to spend time with the people from the Fugazi music group.
and you're so frustrated and angry,
While in the dream, the circumstances are making me feel frustrated and angry.
that it was just a dream
I am disappointed upon realizing that this was just a dream.
but this is not goodbye,
I am not saying farewell.
this is just goodnight
I am only saying goodnight for now.
you're back to massachusetts
You are currently returning to Massachusetts.
but i'm to the north
I am currently situated towards the north direction.
i'll see you in six or seven days, go.
We will see each other again after approximately six or seven days. Take care for now.
the best thing in the world
In my opinion, the most incredible thing in the world
is to love someone
is to feel great love for someone.
and they love you back.
and to have that love reciprocated by the person.
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sam5LC
it's fascinating to contemplate how something that began with a real event can become a song with universal application ... this is where the special meaning of art like this originates ... and that's why I'll always be a fan of Jason!!
tom bennett
i stumbled into a Jason Anderson show last night, not knowing who he was and i still feel like i'm floating. what an experience.
Cole
So powerful
personalityprofile
holy shit. i messed up