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.
Don
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I know they gone have some mo beef sausages
Or something mane they probably gonna have everything
Welp I don did it y'all... whats that?
I done locked my keys in the car with the car runnin
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Mane it aint funny mane
Mane Larry, Sherm, mane call triple A
The lyrics to Jeffrey Lewis's song "Don" are an interesting representation of modern culture and the way that we communicate with one another. The opening lines, "Mane I'm show hungry too, Yeah I know they gone have some more beef sausages," suggest a sense of anticipation and excitement over something as simple as food. The lyrics then shift to the main point of the song, which is the singer's realization that he has locked his keys in the car with the engine still running.
The singer's initial reaction is to laugh it off, suggesting a sense of apathy towards his situation. However, the seriousness of the situation eventually sets in, as he frantically calls for his friends and Triple A to come to his rescue. The line "But you grabbed your radio face" suggests that his friend is more interested in the drama of the situation than actually helping.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don" are a commentary on our relationships with our peers and the ways we interact with technology. The singer's reliance on his phone and the way his friend uses the situation to entertain himself both highlight the ways we have become disconnected from our surroundings and the people around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Mane im show hungry too
I am really hungry as well
Yeah I know they gone have some mo beef sausages
I am aware that there will be more beef sausages available
Or something mane they probably gonna have everything
They will probably have a wide variety of food options available
Welp I don did it y'all... whats that?
Uh oh, I made a mistake... what did I do?
I done locked my keys in the car with the car runnin
I accidentally locked my keys in the car while the engine was still on
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
I am laughing, but not because the situation is actually funny
Mane it aint funny mane
This is not a humorous situation
Mane Larry, Sherm, mane call triple A
Larry and Sherm, please call AAA for me
But you grabbed your radio face
You look hesitant or unsure about helping me
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jeffrey Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eli_zabethhh
I took my darling out to the aquarium
Sea creatures stared at us and we stared back at them
My baby freaked when she peeked at that 8-legged blob with a beak
She was too scared to speak
I said don't be upset it's only an octopus
Don't bother it and i'm sure it won't bother us
Please don't be upset my darling, please don't get upset
My baby came riding to meet me one time
On the crowed last car of the downtown-bound 9
She was brave but she caved
When the train was delayed
It was just the last straw in her hard busy day
I said don't get upset 'cuz it's not a catastrophe
Nothing will happen and soon you'll be back with me
Please don't be upset my darling , please don't be upset
My gal's got a headhache, her ankle is hurting too
Boots she bought gave her a rash & her winsdom tooth
Is coming in and it's damp out and she's having cramps and she's so mad at me cuz i didn't shave
I said don't be upset i know you're feeling sensitive
I'll try to be kinder and be more attentive
Please don't be upset my darling please don't get upset
Darling i said, i'm gonna be 27 soon
I've only got rejection letters and a sense of impending doom
I think it's too late for me
All the comic companies hate me
And i try but it's always the same
I guess my art is just lame and it's strange but still somehow i'm
Always not suiting their needs at this time
And she said ........don't be upset
You know that you're wonderful
Just keep on trying ...(actually what she really said was)
All you ever wanna talk about is your self and your comic books and your album and your tour
And everytime i see your friends they just ask me where you are again and it hurts
It makes me feel like dirt
I'm just gonna write where you are on my shirt
And i said don't be upset, don't be in a bad mood
Let's just go to a show and hang out and feel good
Come on please don't be upset my darling, please don't be upset, i'll do anything baby, just don't be upset
@mannkyle
Whenever I say that Jeffrey Lewis is one of the greatest modern American songwriters that we have today and the response is "Who?" I get excited because I'm about to show someone the awesomeness that is Jeffrey Lewis.
@wereallgoingtodie3805
xD
@childofthesun32
Just happened to me right there. That's why I'm here to link him this song haha.
@bulletbelt97
I fucking wish I could write songs as heart breaking, sincere, personal and beautiful as Jeffrey Lewis. He is so extremely underrated.
@Anna-pe1cg
Dalton Swayze yessss!!!!! i Fuckin love his music.
@neuro2829
This woman I was close to used to play this for me when I was sad and it always cheered me up. Never forget :')
@TheConnor12500
The humanity in this song is beyond words.
@Jon-sj5wj
This guy is so cool i want t buy his records 55 years from now .
@tcaw8813
why not just buy them now, and have them in 55 years
@osmincontreras4655
+Paul Blart Listen to back when I was four by him