Jeff Hanson (1978 – June 5, 2009) was a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and m… Read Full Bio ↴Jeff Hanson (1978 – June 5, 2009) was a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist whose voice was described in a 2005 Paste review as an "angelic falsetto, a cross between Alison Krauss and Art Garfunkel that's often (understandably) mistaken for a female contralto."

Hanson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started learning guitar at four years old and by the age of 13 formed the emo/indie rock band M.I.J. Seven years later the band released a 7", an EP and a full album on Caulfield Records.

He began a solo career in 2003 and was signed to Kill Rock Stars Records after sending in an unsolicited demo tape. He has since released three albums for the label, Son in 2003 and Jeff Hanson in 2005. His third album for Kill Rock Stars titled Madam Owl was released on August 19 2008. Hanson's solo albums were recorded at Presto! Recording Studios.

Since 1996 Hanson resided in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Hanson was found dead on June 7, 2009, in his St. Paul apartment, which he had moved into a few days earlier. The cause was mixed drug toxicity.

As Honest as a Liar Can Be
Jeff Hanson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll go away from here
Just leave it all to me
I've taken some bad advice
And walked by the scene carefully
I know the best is done
It won't come around anymore
So make up your mind again
And leave the words under my door

I'm making it up trying to get there
But there's just no room left for me
Say what you will my world just sits still
But you say its wrong
and it won't be long
to find the truth in me
I've done the best I can
But now that won't do in this town
Giving in to all the rest
Is that still what's going around
Making time with nothing more
Than what these hands can hold

I'll deny it all to you
At least that's what I have been told

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jeff Hanson's song "As Honest As A Liar Can Be" are rich with imagery and a sense of melancholy. In the first few lines, we see an individual who is ready to leave a situation behind and take control of their destiny. They have received some misguided advice and are approaching the situation with caution, aware of the fact that the best is already behind them. Despite this, they are still trying to push forward and make it work, even though there doesn't seem to be any room left for them.

As the song progresses, we see this individual grappling with their own sense of truth and honesty. They are aware of the fact that the world around them isn't quite right, but at the same time, they are struggling to find their own place within it. The chorus seems to suggest that there is a disconnect between this person's actions and what they truly believe. Despite their attempt to be honest, they are still being perceived as a liar by those around them.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll go away from here
I'm leaving this place and starting fresh

Just leave it all to me
I can handle everything on my own

I've taken some bad advice
I've been misled and advised poorly

And walked by the scene carefully
I observed the situation cautiously

I know the best is done
I tried my hardest and did my best

It won't come around anymore
I won't have another chance to do it better

So make up your mind again
Think about it once more and decide

And leave the words under my door
Tell me your decision by writing a note and leaving it for me

I'm making it up trying to get there
I'm trying really hard to achieve my goal

But there's just no room left for me
I'm not welcome or included in this situation

Say what you will my world just sits still
Whatever you say, it won't change anything for me