Jason Reeves (born July 1, 1984, in Arlington, Texas) is an American singer… Read Full Bio ↴Jason Reeves (born July 1, 1984, in Arlington, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In 2005 he relocated to California where he began a long-standing working relationship with producer Mikal Blue and singer Colbie Caillat. He has co-written many songs with Caillat, most notably the songs "Bubbly", "Realize" and "I Never Told You". "Bubbly" has been Reeves most successful work to date, hitting #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, #5 on the Hot 100 and being certified Platinum (along with "Realize") by the RIAA. He self-released several albums before being signed to major label in 2008. His track record has led him to being named one of the Top Indie Singer-Songwriters by iTunes in 2007 and a No. 1 Folk Artist by Myspace.

When a teenage Reeves encountered the works of Bob Dylan and James Taylor, it set off a chain of events. First he began working on his own songwriting, combining the classic singer/songwriter style with more modern influences like Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens. He then dropped out of college and moved from Iowa, where he then lived, eventually landing in California. The second person he met upon arrival was future pop star Colbie Caillat. The two hit it off immediately and it didn't take long for their friendship to turn into a songwriting partnership, one that would create the foundation for Caillat's hit album Coco. The songs that weren't reserved for Coco ended up on Reeves' EP Hearts Are Magnets, which appeared in 2006 on the Dancing Squirrel label. The full-length The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache followed in 2007.

Reeves signed to Warner Bros Records in 2008 with the help of Kara DioGuardi and released an album and an EP with the label. He again self-released an album in 2011 with The Lovesick.

Honestly
Jason Reeves Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You still write me old fashioned letters
Put your perfume on the pages
With crossed out words that you took back
Like "do you really miss me?"

But in my own way i take you everywhere i go
And it feels like home
Cause i can hear you say "it's gonna be ok"

This waking life's a dream

But it's not right with me to have to hear your voice
Reaching through the wire
And it's not fair to be 3000 miles away
From california

Days like this i feel the distance
I wanna run but i resist it
With cold reminders all around me
Of what i left behind

But it's not right with me to have to hear your voice
Reaching through the wire
And it's not fair to be 3000 miles away
From california..

Oh it doesn't feel the same
Nothing feels the same..
Without you.

CHORUS

But in my own way i take you everywhere i go
And it feels like home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jason Reeves's song "Honestly" center on the theme of long-distance relationships and the difficulties they bring. The opening lines describe how the singer's partner still writes old-fashioned letters, complete with perfume and crossed-out words. The image presented here is one of distance and longing, as the partner is not physically present but sends letters to stay connected. However, the singer finds comfort in remembering their partner's voice, saying that "it's gonna be okay" and how it makes everything feel like home. The idea of the waking life being a dream adds to this sense of distance and detachment from reality. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer takes their partner with them everywhere they go, but also highlights the pain of being so far apart.

As the song continues, the theme of distance becomes more pronounced. The singer acknowledges how painful it is to hear their partner's voice reaching through the wire, and how unfair it is to be thousands of miles away from California. They feel the distance acutely, with "cold reminders" of what they left behind all around them. The final lines express the singer's sense of loss and sadness, saying that "nothing feels the same" without their partner. Despite the distance, however, the song ultimately offers a message of comfort and connection, as the singer finds ways to keep their partner close even when they're far away.

Line by Line Meaning

You still write me old fashioned letters
You continue to send me traditional letters

Put your perfume on the pages
You add fragrance to the paper

With crossed out words that you took back
You delete and replace some words

Like "do you really miss me?"
Asking me if I long for you

But in my own way i take you everywhere i go
I keep you close in my heart wherever I go

And it feels like home
It gives me a sense of comfort and familiarity

Cause i can hear you say "it's gonna be ok"
Your voice assures me that everything will be alright

This waking life's a dream
Life feels surreal and almost unreal

But it's not right with me to have to hear your voice
It's not satisfactory for me to only hear your voice rather than being with you

Reaching through the wire
Talking to me over a long distance phone call

And it's not fair to be 3000 miles away
It's unjust and difficult to be far apart