Jeffrey Lewis is an American singer/songwriter and comic-book artist, part of the Anti-folk movement. Several of his musical influences have been acknowledged in his songs such as The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song, concerning the song by Leonard Cohen, and The History of The Fall. Like Cohen, Lewis' lyrics are complex and literate, often combining a depressing world-view with a hopeful message and sharp wit. Born in New York City and growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan Island his songs are also highly informed by his home surroundings, with songs namechecking places such as Williamsburg, the FDR Drive and the East River.
Jeffrey Lewis was born in New York in November 1975. He attended State University of New York at Purchase College and graduated in 1997; his final thesis was on the Alan Moore graphic novel "Watchmen".
After being signed by the British record label Rough Trade in 2001, Lewis released his first official album The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane, and in 2003 he released the album It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through. Lewis later released the album City & Eastern Songs, in the U.K. in November 2005. All three albums also include his brother, Jack Lewis, who wrote and sang a number of the songs. He has also performed and collaborated with fellow New York Anti-folk singers Kimya Dawson and Diane Cluck.
His latest album, 12 Crass Songs was released on Rough Trade in Europe in September of 2007. As the title suggests, it is 12 covers of the British anarchist punk band Crass. It features vocals, keyboard and recorder from Helen Shriner, bass by both John Kessel and brother Jack Lewis, drums by David Beachamp (live drummer/The Bloodugars) and Raphi Gottesman (who often plays with Jack Lewis). Shwervon's Nan Turner also contributes vocals to various tracks.
Jeffrey Lewis is a Welsh composer. After graduating from University College, Cardiff, he studied composition with Stockhausen, Ligeti, and Boguslaw Schaffer, and electronic composition with Don Banks. His early career was spent as a pianist with the Paris Chamber Ensemble; after his return to the U.K, in 1973 he joined the Department of Music at the University College of North Wales, Bangor.
Art Land
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a ghoul with a guitar playing pinball
says "Bernie lemme take your picture
or are you wanted for murder?"
the ghosts of freaks who died in the future
they need support, they need friends, they need culture
there's a feeling you get, hard to name or forget
when they swoop down on you
there's a cold wind whipping the window
the take out chinese food gate closed
it's not much of a scene if you're a human being
but we're lonely and brave
so we come out to the cave
i'm so busy, i'm so busy, man, at ARTLAND
Sam said his friend said to him
one night, she was at artland
she swore she saw the one and only legend
on Grand Street at 3 in the morning
she said he was there for recording
but Grand Street at 3 in the morning?!
come on , gimme a break
as if he couldn't be anywhere in the world
you must be pulling my leg
it's an absolute lie
no, she swears, there's a studio there
but gimme a break, it's still an absolute lie
he's too busy, he's too busy , man, for ARTLAND
1,100.30
you swear you'll tear my heart out if i don't cough it up
but that's more than i can get from an ATM
anyway & you would understand if you were my friend
this neighborhood's for the artists,
so how come i don't see any art?
this neighborhood's for the smartest
they wouldn't pay so much if they were so smart
this neighborhood's for the families
sometimes having a family seems fun
this neighborhood really is pretty good
i think i'll take this one
The opening lines of "Art Land" by Jeffrey Lewis describe a mysterious, eerie atmosphere. The singer describes a "cold wind whipping the windows" and a "ghoul with a guitar playing pinball," adding an element of spookiness to the scene. The ghoul asks to take the singer's picture and jokingly asks if they are wanted for murder. The "ghosts of freaks who died in the future" are then referenced, with the singer suggesting that they need culture and support. There is a feeling that the singer gets that is difficult to describe but powerful, and they need the energy and companionship of the ghosts.
Despite the strange and slightly unsettling surroundings, the singer is determined to embrace their loneliness and put themselves out there. They say they are "so busy, man, at ARTLAND," suggesting a place of creativity and community where they are heavily involved. They reference a conversation with someone who claimed to have seen a legendary figure recording music on Grand Street in the middle of the night, but the singer is skeptical. They humorously suggest that the legend is "too busy" for ARTLAND, reinforcing the idea that this is a place for hard-working and driven artistic types. Finally, the singer muses on the nature of the neighborhood they find themselves in, expressing appreciation for its charms and ultimately deciding to stay.
Overall, the lyrics of "Art Land" paint a vivid picture of a specific place and time. The singer is both isolated and connected, feeling the energy of the ghosts around them but also acknowledging their own need for human connection. The focus on arts and culture, as well as the humor and skepticism towards legends and rumors, make this song unique and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
there's a cold wind whipping the windows
The environment around me is not welcoming, and I feel isolated.
a ghoul with a guitar playing pinball
I see people around me who seem desperately out of place and distracted.
says "Bernie lemme take your picture
or are you wanted for murder?"
People are questioning other people's motives, and there are underlying tensions in this community.
the ghosts of freaks who died in the future
they need support, they need friends, they need culture
I feel like people who struggle to fit in are not getting the support they need, and we should all do more to help them.
there's a feeling you get, hard to name or forget
when they swoop down on you
& you're needing them too
Sometimes it feels like the people who are outcasts themselves are the ones who understand us the most, and it's important to remember that and be supportive of them.
the take out chinese food gate closed
it's not much of a scene if you're a human being
but we're lonely and brave
so we come out to the cave
The streets are empty, and there's not much happening around here, but we still come out and try to find some sense of community.
i'm so busy, i'm so busy, man, at ARTLAND
There seems to be a lot happening in this community, but it's hard to say if it's all meaningful or just people trying to stay busy.
Sam said his friend said to him
one night, she was at artland
she swore she saw the one and only legend
on Grand Street at 3 in the morning
she said he was there for recording
but Grand Street at 3 in the morning?!
There are rumors circulating that famous people come to this community, but it's hard to believe these stories when they seem unlikely and are not confirmed.
come on , gimme a break
as if he couldn't be anywhere in the world
It's hard to believe that someone famous would choose to come to this community over other places in the world, which makes these rumors seem even more unlikely.
you must be pulling my leg
it's an absolute lie
no, she swears, there's a studio there
but gimme a break, it's still an absolute lie
People are skeptical of the rumors about famous people coming to this community, and it's hard to know what to believe.
he's too busy, he's too busy , man, for ARTLAND
It seems unlikely that a famous person would come to this community, as they probably have better things to do.
1,100.30
you swear you'll tear my heart out if i don't cough it up
but that's more than i can get from an ATM
anyway & you would understand if you were my friend
People are struggling financially in this community, and it feels like everyone is always asking for money.
this neighborhood's for the artists,
so how come i don't see any art?
Despite being a community for artists, there doesn't seem to be much art or creativity being celebrated here.
this neighborhood's for the smartest
they wouldn't pay so much if they were so smart
This community is supposed to be for smart, successful people, but it's hard to believe that when people are overpaying for things and struggling to make ends meet.
this neighborhood's for the families
sometimes having a family seems fun
this neighborhood really is pretty good
i think i'll take this one
Despite its flaws, this community still has its perks, and it's a decent place to live and raise a family.
Contributed by Adeline Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.