Foucault is married to fellow singer/songwriter Kris Delmhorst.
No Depression Magazine describes him as: "the bard of small-town anywhere... his poetry rich with details ... his worn-in voice like an old down jacket... frayed... gritted... plaintive poetry in the troubadour tradition... delivery so raw and real it fairly throbs."
His 2001 debut album, Miles from the Lightning, won much praise from critics and helped to kick-start a career of tours across the United States, Canada, and Europe. MOJO praised Miles as "A striking debut. [Foucault] comes out sounding like the love-child of Chris Whitley and Kelly Joe Phelps... strong songs, a voice and blues guitar that sound wiser than his years." Along the way, he has played with such artists as Guy Clark, Greg Brown, Gillian Welch, Todd Snider, Chris Smither, and Rosanne Cash.
In 2003, Foucault, Delmhorst, and Peter Mulvey released an album entitled Redbird. Foucault's 2004 album, Stripping Cane, was produced by David "Goody" Goodrich, and included collaborations with Redbird's Mulvey and Delmhorst.
In 2006, Foucault released his third solo album, Ghost Repeater. Produced by Bo Ramsey, the album includes guest appearances by Dave Moore on harp and accordion and Son Volt's Eric Heywood on pedal steel.
In 2009 he released his tribute to John Prine: "Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes: Jeffrey Foucault Sings the Songs of John Prine"
In 2010 Foucault released "Cold Satellite"; and in 2011 "Horse Latitudes".
www.jeffreyfoucault.com
Real Love
Jeffrey Foucault Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stand to read the number
On my hotel room door
One wants two wants another
I called my wife I missed my brother
I'll have one more
And then I've got to get some rest
Up from Phoenix
All the way to Santa Fe
Ashes arcing down the road
It's a high and a heavy load
On my shoulders but I know
I'll be okay
I've got love
I've got real love
I've got love on my side
I spent all night and a pocket full of bills
Leaning up against this jukebox
Hoping it might kill
The loneliness that whines
Through my chest all the time
Like a bullet fired
On the radio
But it's too late to go home early anymore
The rain is hung up in the streetlights
The moon is on the floor
And it's always Saturday night
When you're living in the lights
But this living's gonna kill me
On the way
I've got love
I've got real love
I've got love on my side
I've got love
I've got real love
And I can't hide
The song "Real Love" by Jeffrey Foucault is a mesmerizing representation of a man who is reflecting on his life while on the road. The lyrics reflect the loneliness and exhaustion he feels after spending a long time away from his wife and brother. He is in a hotel, on the brink of exhaustion, after a long day of traveling. The number on his hotel room door is a painful reminder of how far he is from his loved ones. Despite being able to buy anything he wants, including the company of anyone he desires, he finds himself longing for the affection of his wife and brother.
The lyrics also show the struggle of dealing with loneliness, addiction and regret. Jeffrey is conflicted and lost, seeking happiness in a life that is not stable, one that he may not be able to control, and one that's taking him on a path that is far away from his loved ones. He hopes that one more drink will help him forget the pain, the loneliness and the longing for love, but he knows that it won't provide him with any relief, and he needs rest. Although the road is long and hard, he has a solid foundation being fortified by the real love he has on his side.
Overall, "Real Love" is a hauntingly beautiful and poignant song that speaks to the struggles and emotions that many people face in their lives. It seduces the audience, making them feel the pain and struggles that Jeffrey Foucault is facing through his words and melody.
Line by Line Meaning
It's too late to go home early anymore
I cannot go back to my normal life anymore, it's too late to leave early.
I can't stand to read the number
On my hotel room door
I don't like seeing the number of my hotel room, it reminds me of my isolation.
One wants two wants another
I called my wife I missed my brother
I'll have one more
And then I've got to get some rest
I have different needs and desires, and I miss my family. I'll have one more drink, then I need to sleep.
I been rolling since the sun came up today
Up from Phoenix
All the way to Santa Fe
I've been traveling since morning, from Phoenix to Santa Fe.
Ashes arcing down the road
It's a high and a heavy load
On my shoulders but I know
I'll be okay
My life has been rough, but I have faith that everything will be alright.
I've got love
I've got real love
I've got love on my side
I have love, and it's real. I feel loved.
I spent all night and a pocket full of bills
Leaning up against this jukebox
Hoping it might kill
The loneliness that whines
Through my chest all the time
Like a bullet fired
On the radio
I spent all night hoping the jukebox would drown out the feeling of loneliness that plagues me constantly.
The rain is hung up in the streetlights
The moon is on the floor
And it's always Saturday night
When you're living in the lights
But this living's gonna kill me
On the way
The rain and streetlights create a surreal feeling, and it always feels like Saturday night. But this lifestyle is going to be the end of me.
And I can't hide
I can't hide the fact that I need love and companionship; I crave the feeling of being loved.
Writer(s): Jeffrey Foucault
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.