Grant performed as a musician for a time in her early teens, but stopped due to a bout of stage fright, and did not return to performing until her early 20s when she played some shows with Heavy Blinkers. She then released an independent EP, Jenn Grant and Goodbye Twentieth Century, in 2005.
She collaborated on her debut album, Orchestra for the Moon, with such artists as Ron Sexsmith, Heavy Blinkers, Matt Mays and Jill Barber, and later toured Germany and Canada in support of the album, including as an opening act for The Weakerthans.
She later began recording her second album, Echoes, on a farm in rural Ontario in 2008. The album was produced by Jonathan Goldsmith and engineered by Walter Sobczak at The Studio at Puck's Farm. Her voice was also featured in the song "We Made a Pact" by Hey Rosetta on their 2008 album Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood). Echoes was released in 2009.
In 2010 and 2011, she collaborated with Buck 65 on several tracks, including "Paper Airplane", "Cold Steel Drum", "Days Go By" and a cover of Leonard Cohen/'s "Who By Fire", on his 20 Odd Years series of EPs. Late in 2010, she also released a four-song EP, Songs for Siigoun, which featured a cover of John Denver's "Annie's Song".
She released her third full-length album, Honeymoon Punch, in early 2011. Her fourth album, The Beautiful Wild, followed in 2012, and her fifth album, Compostela, was released on October 21, 2014.
She continues to paint, including designing some of her own album covers.
Lover Lover Lover
Jenn Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, "Father, change my name"
The one I'm using now is covered up
With fear and filth and cowardice and shame
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
He said, "I locked you in this body
I meant it as kind of a trial
You can use it for a weapon
Or to make some woman smile"
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
"Then let me start again," I cried
"Please let me start again
I want a face that's fair this time
I want a spirit that is calm"
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
"I never turned aside," he said
"I never walked away
It was you who built the temple
It was you who covered up my face"
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
And may the spirit of this song
May it rise up pure and free
May it be a shield for you
A shield against the enemy
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
Yeah and lover, lover, lover,
lover, lover, lover, lover come back to me
The song "Lover Lover Lover" by Canadian singer-songwriter Jenn Grant is a hauntingly beautiful track that delves deep into the themes of identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. The song narrates the singer's quest to shed off the old persona tainted by fear, filth, cowardice, and shame and embrace a new identity that aligns with her values and ideals.
She seeks her father's help, asking him to change her name, which serves as a symbol for her current identity. Her father responds by explaining that he locked her in this body as a test, and it is up to her to use it either as a weapon or to spread love and happiness. The singer then resolves to start again, asking for a fair face and a calm spirit, to which her father retorts that she built the temple and covered his face.
The song concludes by invoking the spirit of the song, asking it to rise up pure and free and serve as a shield against the enemy. The song's overall tone is melancholic, but its message is one of hope and redemption, showcasing the importance of introspection and self-acceptance in one's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my father
The singer is turning to their father for guidance.
I said, "Father, change my name"
The singer wants a new identity to escape their past.
The one I'm using now is covered up
The current identity is associated with negative emotions like fear and shame.
With fear and filth and cowardice and shame
The current identity is tarnished with negative emotions associated with being afraid and feeling worthless.
He said, "I locked you in this body
The father admits to creating the artist's current physical form.
I meant it as kind of a trial
The father sees the singer's existence as a test of some kind.
You can use it for a weapon
The singer can use their physical form to fight back against adversaries.
Or to make some woman smile"
The artist can use their physical form to connect with others and bring them joy.
"Then let me start again," I cried
The artist wants to start anew and leave their past behind.
"Please let me start again
The artist is desperate for a fresh start.
I want a face that's fair this time
The singer wants a new physical appearance that is more pleasing.
I want a spirit that is calm"
The artist desires mental and emotional stability.
"I never turned aside," he said
The father claims to have never abandoned the singer.
"I never walked away
The father emphasizes his commitment to the singer.
It was you who built the temple
The singer was responsible for creating their current state of being.
It was you who covered up my face"
The artist's actions caused the father's image to be obscured.
And may the spirit of this song
The artist hopes their music will have power beyond the studio.
May it rise up pure and free
The singer wants their music to liberate those who listen to it.
May it be a shield for you
The music should be a source of protection for listeners.
A shield against the enemy
The music should help people defend themselves from threats.
Contributed by Wyatt D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Echo Child
Very impressive. I usually don’t like covers, but this is a wonderful exception❤️.
Yaz
Love it Jenn!
Lord Karrass
me too
Eierdieb
I love it
Martin Ward
This is so sweet
Oscar Torres
Belleza, chingóna mujer!!!
Lord Karrass
I'm your biggest fan!! so sweet and talented! from southern Brazil !
Kathryn Hominick
bass line...nice
John Stymiest
Great remake!
John Stymiest
Nice cover ... maybe better than Lenny's orig.