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.
I Just Don't Believe You
Jeff Hanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring across like a diamond knife.
I'll lock the door because I fear their not too far behind.
The sky has gone quietly dark.
How this will end is the same as the start.
Placing a hand on the side of my face you will bring me in.
I know you well let those lies begin.
Do they hear you when you call them?
I've made some mistakes now there's nowhere that's safe how they follow me.
And all that you want you can have but you can't ever leave.
Tell me how this will be wrong, and what you'll do.
The room was still 304.
A man came across who I'd seen once before.
He pulled me aside and then asked me to say if I'd brought a friend.
I said I'm down to just one friend.
Still there are years I've forgotten.
Everything lost you will find.
The evening has come once again as it had many times before.
And I know what you want to do so I think you should go.
Tell me how this will be wrong.
It's al you've known.
The lyrics of Jeff Hanson's "Don't Believe" are cryptic, but there are a few things that can be drawn from them. The opening lines describe someone looking at the listener with a harsh, judgmental gaze. They have reason to fear that others will come for them, and they are resigned to their fate. A loved one touches the singer's face and begins to speak lies to them, but it is unclear whether they are aware of this. They then ask if the listener can hear their calls, but it is never stated who they are calling out to.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about a room with a specific number and someone asking if they have brought a friend. The answer is no, indicating either that the singer is alone or that they don't consider the person they are with a friend. The chorus repeats throughout the song, asking the listener to tell the singer how what they want to do is wrong.
Taken as a whole, the lyrics suggest a sense of foreboding and paranoia. The singer seems to feel that they are being hunted or chased by something, and they may be alone in their struggle. They are resigned to their fate but also want reassurance that they are not doing something wrong. The line "everything lost you will find" suggests that there is something to be gained from this experience, even if it is not clear what that is.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at your face.
I am observing your expression.
Staring across like a diamond knife.
Your stare is intense and sharp like a knife.
I'll lock the door because I fear their not too far behind.
I am afraid someone is coming after me and I need to secure the door.
The sky has gone quietly dark.
The sky is gradually getting darker and it is happening without much noise.
How this will end is the same as the start.
The outcome of this situation will be identical to how it began.
Placing a hand on the side of my face you will bring me in.
You are approaching me and placing your hand on my cheek.
I know you well let those lies begin.
I am familiar with your tendency to lie.
Do they hear you when you call them?
I wonder if anyone listens to you when you try to contact them.
I have no way to decide.
I am unsure and cannot make a decision.
I've made some mistakes now there's nowhere that's safe how they follow me.
I have made errors and now feel like I am being followed everywhere I go.
And all that you want you can have but you can't ever leave.
You can have everything you desire, but you cannot escape.
Tell me how this will be wrong, and what you'll do.
Please inform me of what can go awry and what your plans are.
The room was still 304.
The location was quiet and the number of the room was 304.
A man came across who I'd seen once before.
Someone I recognize approached me.
He pulled me aside and then asked me to say if I'd brought a friend.
He communicated to me privately and questioned if I had accompanied anyone.
I said I'm down to just one friend.
I responded by saying that I am currently only accompanied by one person.
Still there are years I've forgotten.
Despite my situations, there are still many years of my life that I cannot remember.
Everything lost you will find.
You will be able to locate everything that you have lost.
The evening has come once again as it had many times before.
The night is here once again, similar to the many nights before.
And I know what you want to do so I think you should go.
I understand what you have in mind, and it would be best for you to leave.
Tell me how this will be wrong.
Please explain what could potentially go wrong.
It's all you've known.
This is what you have become accustomed to.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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