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.

Hiding Behind the Moon
Jeff Hanson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well if I were you I'd be wiser
To the sounds that make you up
And if only time was longer
I'd be gone
And if what you say is the answer
And for all you know it's true
Maybe I sleep too long
Or sometimes speak too soon

And remember the sun don't shine
And remember the sky's not blue
And if only I was you
I'd be right along here hiding behind the moon

Well I should have known you'd be leaving
Just as soon as you got here
And in time I'll fall around you
And disappear
And the thought of a day left to wander
In a time with eyes on me

Maybe I say too much
But with that we'll disagree

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jeff Hanson's song, Hiding Behind the Moon, are deeply introspective and contemplative. The message conveyed through the words is that life is full of ambiguities and uncertainties, and that we should contemplate the sounds and signs that make us who we are. The song starts with a suggestion that one should be wiser to the sounds that make them up. The statement highlights the importance of self-awareness, and how the sounds around us reveal a lot about our personalities and life choices. The second line delves into the concept of time, and how its fleeting nature leaves a sense of longing and confusion. The artist then questions the validity of certain answers and assertions made by people. He wonders if it is possible to believe something too early, or remain too skeptical in life.

The refrain of the song emphasizes the unpredictability of life. The singer urges listeners to remember that the sun doesn't always shine, and the sky isn't always blue. The line, "I'd be right along here hiding behind the moon", reinforces the idea that sometimes the best response to uncertainty and pressure is to hide and wait for clarity. In the second verse, the artist reflects on how people come and go in our lives, leaving us wondering about the shortness and transience of life. He wonders whether speaking too much or too little is the right response to the challenges that come our way. The lyrics of Hiding Behind the Moon, therefore, encourage introspection, emotional honesty, and self-awareness in the face of the uncertainties of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Well if I were you I'd be wiser
If I were in your place, I would have been more careful

To the sounds that make you up
Pay attention to the things that define you

And if only time was longer
If time was infinite

I'd be gone
I would have disappeared by now

And if what you say is the answer
If what you are saying is indeed the solution

And for all you know it's true
It could be a reality

Maybe I sleep too long
I might be taking too much time to realize things

Or sometimes speak too soon
Or I might be rushing into conclusions

And remember the sun don't shine
The happiness may not last forever

And remember the sky's not blue
Things may not be as they seem

And if only I was you
If I could see things from your perspective