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.
Cult Boyfriend
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
worshipped by a few but ignored on the whole
Meet the Feebles is a film cult classic
It's basically unknown but some say it's fantastic
Most women that I meet seem totally unphased
Til sometimes there somebody who seems totally amazed
I might not be in magazines as a heart throb face
I'm a cult boyfriend, not a mainstream show
I'm lonely or I'm worshiped by a lady in the know
When you're a cult boyfriend life's always intense
They love me or they hate me no one's on the fence
Cerebus is cult comic book series
It's got fans but it's never found in movies or in theories
WFMU is a cult radio station
Always tuned to by a few devoted fans around the nation
For every time I couldn't get a second date or even first
Why does one think I'm the best when all the rest think I'm the worst
All of those times no one at all wanted to know
If I'm really all that awesome wouldn't more people think so
I guess Cult Boyfriend is the term for me
It's always been quality over quantity
A cult boyfriend's like a record in a bargain bin
No one knows what it's worth ‘til a collector comes in
Hm, who are some cult literary figures I could honor
Maybe J. G. Ballard or Flannery O'Connor
Haagus and Fugu, that's like food for cult eaters
Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Fater Yed, they're cult leaders
Anyways the point being, do I have to magical?
Can't we date a few months and then move on normal and casual
Suicidally alone and the totally smothered
It's so much pressure when you go from one extreme to the other
I guess Cult Boyfriend is the term for me
It's always been quality over quantity
A cult boyfriend's like a record in a bargain bin
No one knows what it's worth ‘til a collector comes in
I'm a cult boyfriend, not a mainstream show
I'm lonely or I'm worshiped by a lady in the know
When you're a cult boyfriend life's always intense
They love me or they hate me no one's on the fence
And this son ain't probably gonna go far past an open mic
I guaranteed though two or three people are really gonna like it.
In Jeffrey Lewis's song "Cult Boyfriend," he explores the idea of being a niche figure in the music scene and in relationships. The lyrics reference various pop culture phenomena that have a dedicated but small following, such as rock band The Misfits, film "Meet the Feebles," comic book series "Cerebus," and radio station WFMU. Lewis compares himself to these cult figures, describing himself as a "cult boyfriend" who is not a mainstream show and either ignored or worshipped by a small group of devoted fans. He questions why some women are seemingly uninterested in him while others are amazed by him and laments the pressure of going from one extreme to the other.
Through this song, Lewis is commenting on the idea that popularity does not equate to worth or quality. Just like how cult figures like The Misfits or "Meet the Feebles" might not have mainstream success but still have a devoted fanbase, Lewis may not be the heartthrob of a magazine but still has a strong following. Being a cult boyfriend, to him, means that he has a small but devoted group of fans who appreciate who he is, not just what he represents.
Line by Line Meaning
The Misfits are cult rock & roll
The Misfits are a band that have a dedicated fanbase, but they are not popular with mainstream audiences.
worshipped by a few but ignored on the whole
Only a small number of people enjoy The Misfits' music, while most people do not pay attention to them.
Meet the Feebles is a film cult classic
Meet the Feebles is a movie that has achieved cult status, even though most people have probably never heard of it.
It's basically unknown but some say it's fantastic
While Meet the Feebles is not well known, some people believe it is a great movie.
Most women that I meet seem totally unphased
When I meet most women, they do not seem to be particularly interested in me.
Til sometimes there somebody who seems totally amazed
Occasionally, I meet a woman who is very impressed by me.
I might not be in magazines as a heart throb face
I am not a conventionally attractive man who appears in magazines as a celebrity.
But in a few devoted arcs I've found a strong fan base
Despite not being a mainstream heartthrob, I have attracted a dedicated group of fans who appreciate me for who I am.
I'm a cult boyfriend, not a mainstream show
I am not a popular, mainstream kind of guy; rather, I appeal to a more select group of people.
I'm lonely or I'm worshiped by a lady in the know
I am either alone or adored by a woman who understands me and appreciates what I have to offer.
When you're a cult boyfriend life's always intense
Being a cult boyfriend means that the relationships you have are always passionate and emotionally charged.
They love me or they hate me no one's on the fence
My fans either love me passionately or dislike me strongly; there is no middle ground.
Cerebus is cult comic book series
Cerebus is a comic book series that is well loved by a small group of fans, but it is not well known in mainstream culture.
It's got fans but it's never found in movies or in theories
While Cerebus has a loyal fanbase, it has not been adapted into movies nor is it widely discussed in academic circles.
WFMU is a cult radio station
WFMU is a radio station that is beloved by a small number of dedicated fans, but most people do not know it exists.
Always tuned to by a few devoted fans around the nation
While most people have never heard of WFMU, it has a small group of fans who listen to it regularly.
For every time I couldn't get a second date or even first
I have often been rejected by women, and sometimes I don't even get a chance to go on a first date.
Why does one think I'm the best when all the rest think I'm the worst
Sometimes, when most women have rejected me, one woman will think I am amazing and perfect for her.
All of those times no one at all wanted to know
During the times when no women were interested in me, I felt lonely and unloved.
If I'm really all that awesome wouldn't more people think so
I wonder why, if I am such a great guy, more women are not interested in me.
I guess Cult Boyfriend is the term for me
I have come to accept that I am a niche kind of guy who appeals to a select group of people, and that is okay.
It's always been quality over quantity
My relationships may be fewer in number, but they are more meaningful because they are with people who truly appreciate me for who I am.
A cult boyfriend's like a record in a bargain bin
Like an overlooked record in a secondhand store, I may be hidden from view, but I have value and appeal to those who recognize my worth.
No one knows what it's worth ‘til a collector comes in
Most people may not recognize my value, but there are some who appreciate me deeply and see me for the gem that I am.
Hm, who are some cult literary figures I could honor
I am considering paying tribute to some obscure, underappreciated authors who have achieved cult status.
Maybe J. G. Ballard or Flannery O'Connor
Possible literary figures I could honor include J. G. Ballard or Flannery O'Connor.
Haagus and Fugu, that's like food for cult eaters
Haagus and Fugu are unconventional foods that only appeal to a small group of people, just like the kind of guy I am.
Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Fater Yed, they're cult leaders
Jim Jones, Charles Manson, and Fater Yed are examples of charismatic leaders who have attracted a dedicated following, but they are also notorious for their extremism and dangerous behavior.
Anyways the point being, do I have to magical?
Do I really have to be a perfect, flawless guy in order to find love?
Can't we date a few months and then move on normal and casual
Why can't we just date for a few months and then have a normal, casual break up if things don't work out?
Suicidally alone and the totally smothered
Sometimes, when I am single, I feel incredibly lonely, while at other times I feel overwhelmed and suffocated by the attention of a devoted fan.
It's so much pressure when you go from one extreme to the other
The constant swings between loneliness and intense adoration can be very stressful and emotionally taxing.
And this son ain't probably gonna go far past an open mic
I don't expect this song to become very popular outside of a small group of listeners who appreciate its message.
I guaranteed though two or three people are really gonna like it.
While I don't expect this song to be a hit, I am confident that there will be at least a few people who really appreciate it and relate to its message.
Contributed by Jayden T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
angel
this song has a special place in my life
Fiaché F
Agreed
Samuel Harvey
Suicidally Alone and then totally smothered, it's so much pressure when you go from one extreme to the other
Theres something about this line that I can't explain why, but it resonates so much with me lol
Cyril O'Coill
Absolutely adore this song
Lanky_Nibz
Love when a song makes you feel uncomfortably seen 😂
William Pedersen
One day, after having listened to and loved this song for years, I looked up WFMU and gave it a listen. When I first tuned in, it was the evening time, and there was a DJ named Stashu playing her set. Her show is called "Dance with me Stanley" and I was so absolutely and entirely enthralled by her personality, i could hardly believe this radio angel i had stumbled across. I listened to the whole show and immediately saved the date and time in my phones calendar so that I would never miss one. Her time slot is 3pm to 4pm every Friday. Since discovering her, I began to listen to WFMU almost exclusively, and have never once been disappointed by any DJ set or song played. Another remarkable thing about WFMU is that EVERY SINGLE SONG is new to me. And every single one is excellent. I should mention that I listen to a shitload of music, so for me to hear song after song of completely new (new to me) music is an anomaly.
Gracie West
I feel really lucky that I get to listen to this song
minion of dragons
Just found this masterpiece!
ilikerocks
i feel special for knowing this song
Yee haw
love this