Jason Webley is a Seattle-born singer-songwriter known for playing a mix of… Read Full Bio ↴Jason Webley is a Seattle-born singer-songwriter known for playing a mix of gypsy, folk, and punk. He has released five albums on his own label, Eleven Records. These feature Webley on the piano, guitar, accordion, and a number of other instruments, though when touring he only brings his guitar, accordion, and a vodka bottle containing coins from around the world, which he uses for percussion. In addition, he has released five collaborative albums, one with Seattle poet Jay Thompson, another with Michigan singer-songwriter Andru Bemis, the third with Reverend Peyton of The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, and the fourth with Sxip Shirey. He is also half of the band Evelyn Evelyn, with Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls fame, and has released an album in the same fashion as his other collaborations.

Webley tours all over the world. He usually performs solo, but occasionally plays with his long-time band mates - Michael McQuilken, Jherek Bischoff and Alex Guy.

Webley used to stage a theatrical death every Halloween, only to resurrect on May Day of the following year, but in 2005 he discontinued the tradition, claiming he did not wish to die annually again. He owns a Toyota Corrolla, which he's altered and named "The Tomato" and he organized and ran Camp Tomato in April of 2005, with friends and fans known as Tomato Scouts ( in retaliation to the comment that he was a sadistic cult leader. ) Camp Tomato has since been a more or less annual event.

Little Sister
Jason Webley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Little sister, I don't know if you should look at me that way
There's a blister about to burst, only waiting for a quick, deliberate and violent touch
But oh, to resist her or to kiss her, either one feels like
They both feel like a sin

Little sister, I confess you've been present on my mind
With your mystery undressed and my heart scrubbed bare, burned clean by turpentine
Bus still she insists there are no fairy tales, we end before we start

I start to break as she fades and disappears

And oh, when I'm with her I feel so much joy and brokenness
It's hard, it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It's hard to know how to hold
Your sister

Little sister, God, I know I shouldn't look at you this way
We have a history, it's comforting, familiar when we set the house on fire and walk away
But still, to resist her or to kiss her, either one tears me apart
A part breaks free as she fades and disappears

And oh, I am just a dumb beast, stuck here, stranded, staring at its heart
Its heart, its heart, its heart

Its hard to know how to hold
Your sister

Overall Meaning

The song "Little Sister" by Jason Webley is a hauntingly beautiful tune that explores the complex emotions of a forbidden love between siblings. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with his feelings for his sister, torn between the intense joy he feels when he's with her and the shame and guilt that comes with such a taboo relationship. He acknowledges the danger of giving in to his desires, likening it to a blister about to burst and admitting that either resisting his sister or kissing her feels like a sin. Despite his internal struggle, the singer can't resist his sister's allure, admitting that she's been present on his mind and that he's comforted by the familiarity they share.

The song's melancholy tone is emphasized by the repeated lines "It's hard to know how to hold your sister", a poignant reminder of the shame and confusion that come with the taboo subject matter. The use of turpentine as a symbol of cleansing adds a layer of complexity to the lyrics, suggesting that the singer is trying to purify himself of his impure thoughts and emotions. Overall, "Little Sister" is a thought-provoking song that grapples with the contradictions and complexities of taboo desires.

Line by Line Meaning

Little sister, I don't know if you should look at me that way
Uncertainty about the sister's advances, sensing imminent danger

There's a blister about to burst, only waiting for a quick, deliberate and violent touch
Describing the volatile situation and its potential consequences

But oh, to resist her or to kiss her, either one feels like They both feel like a sin
The dilemma of being attracted to one's own sibling and the guilt arising from it

Little sister, I confess you've been present on my mind With your mystery undressed and my heart scrubbed bare, burned clean by turpentine
Admitting to thoughts of the sister and feeling emotionally exposed

Bus still she insists there are no fairy tales, we end before we start I start to break as she fades and disappears
Coming to terms with the sister's rejection and the emotional turmoil of losing her

And oh, when I'm with her I feel so much joy and brokenness It's hard, it's hard, it's hard, it's hard It's hard to know how to hold Your sister
The mixed emotions experienced when around the sister and the difficulty of grappling with them

Little sister, God, I know I shouldn't look at you this way We have a history, it's comforting, familiar when we set the house on fire and walk away
Acknowledging the taboo nature of the attraction, but finding comfort in familiarity

But still, to resist her or to kiss her, either one tears me apart A part breaks free as she fades and disappears
The torment caused by feelings that are hard to reconcile and the sense of loss when the sister is gone

And oh, I am just a dumb beast, stuck here, stranded, staring at its heart Its heart, its heart, its heart Its hard to know how to hold Your sister
Feeling like an animal with no control over these forbidden desires, and the struggle of figuring out how to proceed with the sister relationship

Contributed by Lincoln Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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