Lekman recorded and released much of his material privately from 2000 to 2003 on CD-R. Because one of his songs during this time was entitled "Rocky Dennis' Farewell Song to the Blind Girl", Lekman was mistakenly referred to as Rocky Dennis for a while (the song was actually written from the perspective of the main character of the 1985 film Mask). Lekman says that it was a "mistake": "someone thought that was my real name cause I had a song about him, and then radio picked up on it, and I never had a chance to change it". He put the confusion to rest with his Rocky Dennis in Heaven EP (2004).
His self-released 7" vinyl EP Maple Leaves caused a big stir in 2003, mainly due to sound files circulating on file sharing networks. When the same EP was released on CD by the Swedish independent label Service Records in the autumn, he was already a well-known name. The songs Maple Leaves and Black Cab were heavily played on Swedish national radio. He soon signed a contract with the American label Secretly Canadian for releases outside of Sweden. Heavy touring and his debut album soon followed.
His first album When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog was released in 2004, and consisted of recordings made between 2000 and 2004 (some tracks had been previously released independently by Lekman). The album attracted attention among the alternative music press in both Europe and the US. The song You Are The Light was a successful radio hit, and a video received some rotation in the Nordic MTV and ZTV. In Sweden the album reached #6 in the national chart. Lekman was nominated for three Swedish Grammies, three P3 Guld and three Manifest awards, as well as dubbed album of the year by Nöjesguiden.
A concert film shot from Lekman's sold-out show with José González at Göteborg's concert hall in December 2003 was broadcast by Swedish national television two times in 2005. In June 2005, a compilation CD of Jens' first three EPs, with extra tracks, was released as Oh You're So Silent Jens. Lekman also had a track on Secretly Canadian's SC100 compilation, released in April 2007.
His latest album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, was released in October 2007, and appeared on many lists for the best albums of said year.
Live performances by Lekman differs in style. Sometimes he performs alone with only a guitar and a CD player, or doing a capella versions of his songs. Other times, he is accompanied by a choir and string quartet, and he was recently seen on tour with a full band (including horns etc) consisting of all women musicians, dressed in white 60s dresses.
Official: [http://www.jenslekman.com]
Fan-site/Forum: [http://www.mapleleaves.se]
Homeless
Jens Lekman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
Homeless, homeless
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
We are homeless, we are homeless
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
And we are homeless, homeless, homeless
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
The lyrics in Jens Lekman's song Homeless paint a picture of being lost and without a place to call home. The repetition of the phrase "homeless, homeless" emphasizes the overwhelming sense of displacement and loneliness. The image of "moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake" adds to the loneliness and sadness evoked by the lyrics. The moonlight symbolizes a sense of beauty, but also highlights the darkness surrounding the homeless individual. Feeling homeless can be an incredibly isolating experience, and the song captures that feeling perfectly.
The repetition of "we are homeless" also brings attention to the fact that this is not just an individual experience, but something that many people struggle with. The lyrics are simple, but by repeating the phrase "homeless, homeless" and "the moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake", the message is clear and powerful.
Overall, the song Homeless captures the feeling of being disconnected from society and the world around you. The lyrics are emotive and relatable, drawing on the shared human experience of feeling lost or out of place.
Line by Line Meaning
Homeless, homeless
Being without a permanent residence or shelter, completely destitute and devoid of a consistent home.
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
The shining reflection of the moon on a still and quiet body of water, casting a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Homeless, homeless
Continuing to emphasize the feeling of being uprooted and lacking a place to belong.
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
Reiterating the image of the moonlight on a tranquil lake, as a symbol of the calmness and stillness that is in direct contrast to the state of being homeless and displaced.
We are homeless, we are homeless
A statement of community and solidarity among individuals who share the experience of being homeless, creating a sense of togetherness despite their situation.
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
Returning to the recurring image of the moon reflecting on a lake, encapsulating a feeling of longing and yearning for a place to call home, and the contrast between the peacefulness of nature and the uncertainty of homelessness.
And we are homeless, homeless, homeless
Re-emphasizing the situation of being homeless and the lack of stability and permanence that accompanies it.
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
Concluding the song with the profound image of the moon on a still lake, conveying a sense of hope and beauty even in the midst of turbulence and instability.
Contributed by Gavin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.