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.
seattle
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
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Want to get into my car
I wanna drive out to Seattle
Where the used record stores
Have much better prices
But I don't have a car
And I don't have a license
Get another learners permit with a Picture of me
I'd put it in my wallet
Along with my four dollars
And the condom that's still in there
That has probably expired
I'd leave home for New York
But New York is where I'm from
I'm just looking for a way
To feel my life has begun
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
Living in the city
Where I'm working like a walrus
But man I don't need your money
Man I'm gonna be an artist
Feeling like I wanna do whatever
I feel inside
Put it down on paper
And I'll hope that people buy it
And my only minor worry
Is how to pay the rent
But that won't even matter
When I lose my apartment
Then I'll really have no worries
I'll be just like a cassette
That you've taped up the tabs up
To put something new on it
And when I hit record
God only knows what I will be
And if there is no god
Then it's a better mystery
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
Fighting for survival and I guess I must Be winning
And my story is so long
I can't remember the beginning
Am I an optimist
Or am I a pessimist
If I see a half empty half full cup
Is half full
Of nothingness.
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
Dee dee dee dee
The lyrics to Jeffrey Lewis's song "Seattle" reflect the restlessness and longing of a young artist trying to make sense of his life. The singer is fighting for survival, but finds it "boring" and unfulfilling. He wants to escape his present circumstances and go to Seattle, where used record stores have better prices. However, he doesn't have a car or a license, so he can't.
The singer is unsure of what to do next. He wonders if he should get another learner's permit so he can drive to Seattle, but he only has four dollars in his wallet and a condom that has probably expired. He wants to leave New York, but he's from there and feels lost. He wants to start his life but doesn't know how.
Despite these uncertainties and struggles, the singer remains resolute in his desire to be an artist. He is determined to follow his passion, even if it's hard. He doesn't want to work like a walrus in the city; he wants to create and express himself. He hopes that people will buy his work, but even if they don't, he will continue to put himself out there and take risks.
Overall, "Seattle" is a song about the restless, uncertain nature of the artist's life. It captures the struggles and triumphs of trying to make it, and the desire to escape to something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Fighting for survival is such a boring Battle
Life is always a struggle, but it can be monotonous.
Want to get into my car
I desire freedom and mobility.
I wanna drive out to Seattle
The city of Seattle holds some appeal or fantasy for me.
Where the used record stores
Have much better prices
Seattle is known for its cheaper, quality used record stores.
But I don't have a car
And I don't have a license
I lack the means to pursue my dreams at the moment.
Should I take another walk to the DMV
Get another learners permit with a Picture of me
Maybe I should try again to get my driver's license.
I'd put it in my wallet
Along with my four dollars
And the condom that's still in there
That has probably expired
I have some personal effects, including a condom that is likely useless.
I'd leave home for New York
But New York is where I'm from
I'm just looking for a way
To feel my life has begun
I want to escape from my current life, but it's hard to shake my past and know my future path.
Living in the city
Where I'm working like a walrus
But man I don't need your money
Man I'm gonna be an artist
I am working really hard, but I don't want your pity, I am determined to succeed as an artist.
Feeling like I wanna do whatever
I feel inside
Put it down on paper
And I'll hope that people buy it
My creativity cannot be tamed, and I hope people like or buy my art.
And my only minor worry
Is how to pay the rent
But that won't even matter
When I lose my apartment
I'm not too stressed about rent as I know I'll eventually lose my apartment anyway.
Then I'll really have no worries
I'll be just like a cassette
That you've taped up the tabs up
To put something new on it
When I lose everything, I will feel free to start anew like a blank cassette.
And when I hit record
God only knows what I will be
And if there is no god
Then it's a better mystery
I don't know what will become of me, and it's an exciting unknown.
Fighting for survival and I guess I must Be winning
And my story is so long
I can't remember the beginning
Life may be a struggle, but I must be doing something right. My life story is long and complicated.
Am I an optimist
Or am I a pessimist
If I see a half empty half full cup
Is half full
Of nothingness.
I don't know if I am hopeful or pessimistic, and the cup half full or half empty is still pretty empty.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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