There are two artists called Jeffrey Lewis. One (b. 1975) is an American s… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists called Jeffrey Lewis. One (b. 1975) is an American singer-songwriter, the other is a Welsh composer.

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.

You Don't Have to Be a Scientist to Do Experiments on Your Own Heart
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics

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You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart

I had no place to put myself but I had lots of time
I had no place to put myself but I had lots of time
I had no place to put myself but I had lots of time so I threw out some past and made way for more future

Now I'm standing on the scene between my memories and dreams
Balanced on the seam between my memories and dreams
Floating down the stream between my memories and dreams and I see a better person waiting his turn to be me

And you don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart

Now I'm running down the runway in-between gigantic numbers
I'm running down the runway in-between gigantic numbers
I'm running down the runway in between gigantic numbers with my knapsack and a zero for halo

And my halo's got a hole in it so it don't keep me dry
My halo's got a hole in it so it don't keep me dry
My halo's got a hole in it so it don't keep me dry
But it's okay cause my brain is my heart's umbrella

And you don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart
I had a girl I had to leave I saw her face upon my sleeve
I had a girl I had to leave I saw her face upon my sleeve
I had a girl I had to leave I saw her face upon my sleeve it kept talking so I put it in the laundry

And as it spun and spun it tried to ask me what I'd done
And as it spun and spun it tried to ask me what I'd done
And as it spun and spun it tried to ask me what I'd done but I was gone on down the road out to Elaine's

'Cause you think patience is a virtue and what you don't know can't hurt you
And that events can change and shape us more than we can change ourselves
And that conscious attempt at growth is stupid and I should just relax
And be myself and even think it's arrogant to try

But you don't have to be a scientist to do experiments

You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jeffrey Lewis's song "You Don't Have to Be a Scientist to Do Experiments on Your Own Heart" suggest that one can learn to understand and improve oneself without formal education, and that personal growth requires introspection and experimentation. The lyrics describe a journey of self-discovery, as the singer reflects on his past, balances his memories and dreams, and tries to become a better person. The repeated phrase "You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart" emphasizes that anyone can take ownership of their emotional well-being and growth.

The opening lines suggest that the singer is in a period of transition or uncertainty, with time on his hands and no clear direction. The line "so I threw out some past and made way for more future" suggests that he is letting go of some baggage or regrets to make room for new experiences. The chorus, with its insistent repetition of the title phrase, suggests that the singer has discovered a new sense of agency and independence, and is excited about the possibilities for self-discovery that lie ahead.

The middle section of the song describes a surreal scene of running down a runway between "gigantic numbers," with a knapsack and a halo that has a hole in it. The image of the halo with a hole suggests that the singer is not perfect, but is still attempting to better himself. The metaphor of the brain as an umbrella suggests that the singer is actively trying to protect and care for his emotional well-being.

The final stanza addresses the idea that personal growth is a conscious choice that requires effort and patience. The singer suggests that simply being oneself is not enough, and that striving for self-improvement is a worthwhile pursuit. The repetition of the title phrase serves as a reminder that anyone can engage in this pursuit.

Line by Line Meaning

You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
It's not necessary to be an expert to try new things

You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart
You can experiment with your own feelings without any formal training

I had no place to put myself but I had lots of time
I had free time and needed an outlet for it

I had no place to put myself but I had lots of time so I threw out some past and made way for more future
I used my free time to let go of the past and focus on the future

Now I'm standing on the scene between my memories and dreams
I am in a position where I can reflect on my past and imagine my future

Balanced on the seam between my memories and dreams
I am trying to find a balance between my past and future

Floating down the stream between my memories and dreams and I see a better person waiting his turn to be me
I imagine a future version of myself who is better than who I am now

Now I'm running down the runway in-between gigantic numbers
I feel overwhelmed by the enormity of my situation

I'm running down the runway in-between gigantic numbers
I'm trying to navigate my way through a difficult situation

I'm running down the runway in between gigantic numbers with my knapsack and a zero for halo
I feel like I'm carrying a lot of burden and feel like I'm worth nothing

My halo's got a hole in it so it don't keep me dry
I am vulnerable and my faith is not strong enough to protect me from harm

My halo's got a hole in it so it don't keep me dry But it's okay cause my brain is my heart's umbrella
I'm resourceful and can use my intellect to protect myself from emotional harm

I had a girl I had to leave I saw her face upon my sleeve
I had to break up with a girl and it made me sad

I had a girl I had to leave I saw her face upon my sleeve it kept talking so I put it in the laundry
I tried to distract myself from my sadness by doing laundry

And as it spun and spun it tried to ask me what I'd done
As I did my laundry, my sadness persisted and questioned my actions

And as it spun and spun it tried to ask me what I'd done but I was gone on down the road out to Elaine's
I left my sadness behind and went out to socialize with friends

'Cause you think patience is a virtue and what you don't know can't hurt you
You believe that taking things slow and avoiding uncomfortable situations is helpful

And that events can change and shape us more than we can change ourselves
You believe that external experiences have more influence on us than our personal growth and effort

And that conscious attempt at growth is stupid and I should just relax
You think that intentionally trying to improve oneself is foolish and that one should just let life happen

And be myself and even think it's arrogant to try
You believe that focusing on oneself and attempting to grow is selfish and conceited

But you don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
Despite those beliefs, anyone can try to improve themselves and experiment with their own feelings

You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments
Despite those beliefs, anyone can try to improve themselves and experiment with their own feelings

You don't have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart
Anyone can experiment with their own feelings and emotional growth

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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