Just so you know, the digital download of this EP is FREE! However, if you would like a signed, hard copy of the EP (which also includes an instant download while you wait for the EP to arrive), just click the "Buy Now" link. I know every dollar is precious, but if you'd like to donate a couple dollars beyond the $5 for the EP, you'd have my utmost gratitude as I'm currently traveling around the west coast, living out of my car, writing new music!
Whichever option you choose, I wholeheartedly thank you, and if you're willing, please do me the honor of sharing this page and the accompanying "Here I'm Home" music video to your facebook and twitter accounts! Here's the link to the "Here I'm Home" music video, directed by the DuckDuck Collective:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwpMJJMzBNU
If you'd like, you can also "like" my facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Carl/166744886676341 so that you can stay up to date with new projects as well!
Much, much love. :)
credits
released 16 August 2011
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Jeff Quimby
For Q Productions
www.qmusicproduction.com
Vocals - Jeff Carl
Bass – Sam Pierce
Guitars – Andrew Timothy
Drums – Q
Keys - Jeff Carl
BGV’s – David Chatel, Abby Merkel
Mastering by Scott Sanchez at Spy Mastering Labs
Assistant recording engineers - Scott Sanchez and Kyle Bergman
Recorded at Integrity Studio Mobile, AL and Studio Q Mobile, AL
http://jeffcarl.bandcamp.com/
Survive
Jeff Carl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outwardly Heaven but inwardly Hell,
Askin' for open but answerin' shells,
I am weak. I am weak.
Yesterday's long gone, tomorrow's too late,
Today is my swan song if I do not take
Control of my demons, they all have my face,
CH: But I wanna change my mind.
I think that it is time.
How can I survive
If I'm not alive?
I smoked with the notion that I could escape,
Got lost on the ocean of all that I drank,
Life in slow motion, so I didn't have to think,
I am weak. I am weak.
V4: Been lookin' for lovin', but all I've done is pour
All of myself into holes in the floor.
I got in the boat, but I didn't have the oars.
I am weak. I am weak.
But I wanna change my mind.
I think that it is time.
How can I survive
If I'm not alive?
Oh these years have had costs that I can't afford to pay.
Gotta swallow the loss and try better today.
Friends who I've wronged with my silencing ways,
Love that has gone, 'cause I turned it to waste,
Parents who've longed for their son to find peace,
Skies with no sun and no color just gray.
I wanna change my mind.
I think that it is time.
I wanna survive.
I am alive.
The song "Survive" by Jeff Carl is a powerful ballad about the struggles of addiction, depression and self-destructive behavior. The opening lines lay bare the singer's pain and self-pity as he describes how he is broken and trapped in his own personal hell. He is crying out for help but feels like he is only getting silence in response.
The second verse brings in a sense of urgency as the singer realizes that he can't keep living this way. He needs to take control of his life and confront his demons, even though it may be difficult to do so. The chorus provides a glimmer of hope that the singer believes he can change and survive, but only if he is truly alive and not just merely existing.
The third verse goes deeper into the singer's addiction, describing how he turned to smoking and drinking to numb his pain and avoid dealing with his problems. This line is particularly potent "Life in slow motion, so I didn't have to think", which captures the paralysis that addiction can cause.
The final verse brings us back to the present and shows us the toll that this lifestyle has taken on the singer's life. He has hurt those closest to him, wasted opportunities and is now faced with a bleak future. However, the singer is determined to change his mindset and take responsibility for his life. By admitting that he is alive and wants to survive, we see a shift in his perspective and hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been all broken, sad of myself.
I have been feeling completely shattered and dejected.
Outwardly Heaven but inwardly Hell,
Although everything might seem perfect on the outside, I am suffering internally.
Askin' for open but answerin' shells,
I have been reaching out for help, but all I'm getting in return are empty responses.
I am weak. I am weak.
I am acknowledging my own vulnerability and fragility.
Yesterday's long gone, tomorrow's too late,
I cannot change what has already happened yesterday, and waiting for tomorrow will not solve my problems.
Today is my swan song if I do not take
Today could be my final chance to turn things around and make a positive change in my life.
Control of my demons, they all have my face,
I need to conquer and control my inner demons, which are all manifestations of my own weaknesses and flaws.
I am weak. I am weak.
I am acknowledging my own vulnerability and fragility.
CH: But I wanna change my mind.
I want to make a conscious decision to change my attitude and perspective.
I think that it is time.
I have realized that it is high time for me to make a change in my life.
How can I survive
I cannot continue to exist in my current state.
If I'm not alive?
Without making a change, I am not truly living my life to the fullest.
I smoked with the notion that I could escape,
I used smoking as a method of escaping from my problems and realities.
Got lost on the ocean of all that I drank,
I drowned my sorrows in alcohol and ended up losing myself in the process.
Life in slow motion, so I didn't have to think,
I deliberately slowed down my life's pace so that I didn't have to face my problems and think about them too much.
I am weak. I am weak.
I am acknowledging my own vulnerability and fragility.
Been lookin' for lovin', but all I've done is pour
I have been searching for love, but instead, I have poured all of myself into meaningless things.
All of myself into holes in the floor.
I have wasted all of my energy on things that do not matter, like pointless pursuits and activities.
I got in the boat, but I didn't have the oars.
I embarked on a journey, but I didn't have the tools or skills necessary to navigate through it successfully.
I am weak. I am weak.
I am acknowledging my own vulnerability and fragility.
But I wanna change my mind.
I want to make a conscious decision to change my attitude and perspective.
I think that it is time.
I have realized that it is high time for me to make a change in my life.
How can I survive
I cannot continue to exist in my current state.
If I'm not alive?
Without making a change, I am not truly living my life to the fullest.
Oh these years have had costs that I can't afford to pay.
The mistakes and regrets of my past have come at a high cost that I cannot bear.
Gotta swallow the loss and try better today.
I need to accept my losses and failures, and try to do better today.
Friends who I've wronged with my silencing ways,
I have hurt my friends by failing to communicate honestly and openly with them.
Love that has gone, 'cause I turned it to waste,
I let love slip away because of my own bad choices and mistakes.
Parents who've longed for their son to find peace,
My parents have been hoping and praying for me to find happiness and inner peace.
Skies with no sun and no color just gray.
The world around me seems bleak and lifeless, devoid of color or vitality.
I wanna change my mind.
I want to make a conscious decision to change my attitude and perspective.
I think that it is time.
I have realized that it is high time for me to make a change in my life.
I wanna survive.
I don't just want to exist, I want to thrive and truly live.
I am alive.
I am ready to embrace life and all its challenges with a renewed vigor and strength.
Contributed by Dylan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@BerniceMagadia
I found a new artist who's incredible and talented! Keep it up, Jeff!
@jeffcarl3452
Thanks, Bernice!! :)
@iamryancarl
I will forever love your music and heart, Jeff. It was such a privelage making this side by side with you. Proud!!
@FWIMCProductions
Really smashing job man. Very striking images. Love it.
@jeffcarl
Didn't he do amazingly? Thanks, Thomas!
@jeffcarl
Thanks Ryan! I wouldn't redo it with anybody else. So much fun. And such great payoff for all the hard work. Thanks for all you did for this project! :)
@isaacbrice124
So excited to see that you're putting out new material. I just ordered Survive and can't wait to hear it. I enjoyed Here I'm Home EP so much. Thank you for you're incredible work and artistry.
@brandonmcglothlin5747
This song hits very close to home for me. It's in my top 20 favorites of all time.
-Brandon McGlothlin
@AlexI
Seriously incredible. You deserve so much fame and glory. Don't worry, you'll get there, I know it.
@gregjam23
The Carl brothers produce magic and I love each and every one of their videos.