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.
Springtime
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one way sign points up,
It's springtime, it's springtime,
There's blue sky in a puddle,
There's a bird on the ground,
Dog on the roof,
Chirp, chirp, woof, woof,
It's springtime, springtime,
Jeffrey Lewis's song "Springtime" is a narrative of a person observing their surroundings on a spring day. The first two lines set the scene with the singer on a bus heading towards a bus stop. The mention of a one-way sign pointing up adds to the feeling of new beginnings and direction that often accompany springtime. As the singer steps off the bus, they notice the distinct signs of spring - a blue sky reflecting in a puddle, a bird on the ground, and a dog on a roof. The chorus repeats the idea of springtime and the blue sky in the puddle, signaling the beauty and simplicity of the season.
The song's lyrics are simple, but they capture the essence of springtime with their nostalgic and peaceful tone. The imagery of a blue sky in a puddle, bird on the ground, and a dog on the roof all convey a sense of new beginnings and renewal. The repetition of the phrase "it's springtime" amplifies that sentiment even further. The song has a calming effect, and the lyrics evoke feelings of contentment and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
The bus goes to the bus stop,
The bus is headed towards the bus stop.
The one way sign points up,
The one way sign indicates the upward direction.
It's springtime, it's springtime,
The season is Spring and it is being emphasized.
There's blue sky in a puddle,
The clear sky is reflected in the puddle.
There's a bird on the ground,
A bird is resting on the ground.
Dog on the roof,
A dog is on the roof of a building.
Chirp, chirp, woof, woof,
The sounds of a bird and a dog are heard.
It's springtime, springtime,
The season is Spring and it is being emphasized.
There's blue sky in a puddle.
The clear sky is reflected in the puddle.
Contributed by Dylan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.