Messersmith is not only a musician is half-truth, but also a storyteller. His first full-length release The Alcatraz Kid is a moving collection of acoustic-driven lullabies with titles like “Novocain” and “Beautiful Children” that innocently question the purpose of things to come. The integrity of these delicate songs immediately struck a chord with critics and fans alike, and captured the attention of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, who offered to produce Messersmith’s follow-up album, The Silver City.
The Silver City was a natural progression in sound and reflection: the compositions grew fuller and more dynamic with a classic-pop feel inspired by the Beach Boys and Beatles: While the topics focused on midlife struggles with tracks like “Dead End Job” and “Miracles.” Local and national attention soon followed with NPR and college stations around the country, followed by U.S. tours and sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.
The Reluctant Graveyard bookends this trilogy of lifelong (ahem, literary) observations with songs like “Lazy Bones” and “Organ Donor,” and sonically continues on the ’60s chamber pop path Messersmith set out with his sophomore release. He continues to share stages with notables such as Sondre Lechre and The Watson Twins, and has been featured on MTV and Ugly Betty.
Beautiful Children
Jeremy Messersmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was standing outside trying to find your doorbell
At 2 AM, I ran all the way hope that you weren't sleeping
You rubbed your eyes
Gently with the palm of your left hand
We talked awhile
And you told me how much you appreciated me
And I knew that it was time for me to stay or leave
So I started walking home
Sowing teardrops in the snow
We'll be friends forever
But I'm afraid that you'll never love me
You met someone
At that show when you went home for the weekend
And he makes you laugh
And somehow I remind you a little of him
Two perfect hands
A part time job but says that he loves children
But I lost my tongue
Until now you never felt that you'd missed anyone
And even though it's early you think it could be love
Another heartsick lullaby but I can't seem to make you cry
We'll be friends forever, but I'm afraid that you'll never love me
Does he love you?
Does he love you?
I hope he loves you
If he doesn't,
At least you'll have beautiful children
Beautiful children
The song Beautiful Children by Jeremy Messersmith is a bittersweet story about unrequited love. The first verse sets the scene with the singer standing outside their love interest's house in the middle of the night, feeling the warmth of the house but with cold hands. The love interest welcomes him in and they talk about their mutual appreciation for each other, but the singer knows that their affection will never progress beyond friendship. The chorus expresses the heartbreak of unrequited love as the singer walks home in the snow, sowing teardrops along the way. The second verse introduces a new character, someone else that the love interest has met and likes, who reminds them a little of the singer. The love interest thinks it could be love, and the singer can only express their sadness in another "heartsick lullaby." The song ends with the singer wishing the best for their love interest, even if it means they will never have a romantic relationship, as long as they find love with someone who will give them beautiful children.
The lyrics of the song use several sensory details to paint a vivid picture of the setting and the singer's emotions. The warm and cold contrast in the first line serves as a metaphor for the singer's longing and the love interest's warmth towards them. The teardrops in the snow that the singer sows on their walk home create a haunting image that captures their sadness. The repeated refrain of "beautiful children" underscores the singer's willingness to sacrifice their own desires for the happiness of their love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Warm house, cold hands
Despite the warmth of your house, my hands were cold as I searched for your doorbell.
I was standing outside trying to find your doorbell
I was outside, trying to find your doorbell to talk to you.
At 2 AM, I ran all the way home that you weren't sleeping
I ran all the way to your house at 2 AM, hoping you weren't asleep.
You rubbed your eyes
You rubbed your eyes gently with the palm of your left hand.
Gently with the palm of your left hand
You rubbed your eyes in a gentle manner, using the palm of your left hand.
We talked awhile
We talked for a while about various things.
And you told me how much you appreciated me
You thanked and appreciated me for being there for you.
And I knew that it was time for me to stay or leave
I realized that I had to decide whether to stay or leave at that moment.
So I started walking home
I began to walk back home after our conversation.
Sowing teardrops in the snow
I was crying as I walked, and my tears were falling into the snow.
We'll be friends forever
Our friendship will last forever.
But I'm afraid that you'll never love me
I'm worried that you may never see me as anything more than a friend.
You met someone
You have found someone new.
At that show when you went home for the weekend
You met this new person when you went home for the weekend to attend a show.
And he makes you laugh
This new person makes you laugh.
And somehow I remind you a little of him
You find similarities between this new person and me.
Two perfect hands
This new person has two perfect hands.
A part-time job but says that he loves children
This new person has a part-time job but claims to love children.
But I lost my tongue
I became tongue-tied and couldn't express myself well.
Until now you never felt that you'd missed anyone
You never felt like you were missing anything in life until now.
And even though it's early you think it could be love
You think that what you feel might be love, even though it's early in the relationship.
Another heartsick lullaby but I can't seem to make you cry
I'm singing another sad song that I hope will make you cry, but I can't seem to do it.
We'll be friends forever
Our friendship will remain strong and long-lasting.
But I'm afraid that you'll never love me
I'm still fearful that you may never see me as anything more than a friend.
Does he love you?
I wonder if this new person loves you.
Does he love you?
I'm still wondering whether this new person loves you.
I hope he loves you
If he does love you, I hope that you will be happy together.
If he doesn't,
If he doesn't love you,
At least you'll have beautiful children
You will have beautiful children, regardless of who you end up with.
Beautiful children
You will have beautiful children who will make your life meaningful and joyous.
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.