Early on, Jesse carved out an independent direction for himself in the rock genre, very different from the world music style developed by his father. He strived to express himself in the most authentic way possible and understood the importance of being able to perform live. He experimented with a number of different instruments - which included saxophone, clarinet, drums and piano – until he settled and focused mainly on guitar. By seventeen, songwriting was his chief musical focus and it was in this period and the years to follow that he honed his writing skills and put together the songs recorded on the first album.
The single "Today" which was released on radio in mid August 2008 debuted at number one on the Highveld Homebrew Chart, a considerable feat for a debut artist with a debut single and an historical first for Homebrew. The album "When I Wake Up" is due for national release on 1 October.
Today
Jesse Clegg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today
I'm as lonely as you were in May
Today
Some say
Today
Is all there ever will be so I'll stay
(Ah-hooo, oohooh)
(Ah-hooo, oohooohooh)
Message to the one
Step into the sun
Remember all the days
That disappeared like rain
Open up your eyes
Everything's alright
I tried to make you see
The wood for the trees
You pray
Today
That tomorrow will be your day
You say
I may
Today
Tell you how I am feeling, in your way
Today
(Ah-hooo, oohooh)
(Ah-hooo, oohooohooh)
Message to the one
Step into the sun
Remember all the days
That disappeared like rain
Open up your eyes
Everything's alright
I tried to make you see
The wood for the trees
Message to the one
Step into the sun
Remember all the days
That disappeared like rain
Open up your eyes
Everything's alright
I tried to make you see
The wood for the trees
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be (I've missed you)
I don't wanna be the only one (I've missed you)
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be (I've missed you)
I don't wanna be the only one (I've missed you)
I don't wanna be
(I've missed you)
I don't wanna be the only one (I've missed you)
I don't wanna be
(I've missed you)
I don't wanna to be the lonely one
In Jesse Clegg's song "Today," the artist laments about his loneliness and desire to be understood and loved. The repetitive use of "today" emphasizes the present moment and the urgency of his emotions. The lyrics suggest that the addressee might have experienced similar feelings of isolation and lost opportunities in the past. The artist tries to encourage them to step into the light, to see the beauty of the world and its limitless potential. The metaphor "the wood for the trees" symbolizes the importance of focusing on one's priorities instead of getting lost in the details.
The song conveys a universal message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. While the lyrics might seem melancholic and introspective, the music is upbeat and catchy, creating a contrast that reflects the duality of human emotions. The repetitive use of the "message to the one" chorus creates a sense of unity and togetherness, suggesting that the artist's message is addressed to all of us who struggle to find meaning and connection in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello
Jesse Clegg is greeting someone or something with a typical greeting.
Today
Jesse Clegg is referring to the current present day.
I'm as lonely as you were in May
Jesse Clegg is saying that he is just as lonely as the person he is addressing was in May.
Some say
Jesse Clegg is acknowledging the existence of a belief or idea related to the present moment.
Today
Jesse Clegg is again referring to the current day.
Is all there ever will be so I'll stay
Jesse Clegg is saying that because today is all there ever will be, he will stay and make the most of it.
(Ah-hooo, oohooh)
Jesse Clegg is using a musical interjection to transition into the next verse.
(Ah-hooo, oohooohooh)
Jesse Clegg is using another musical interjection to again transition into the next verse.
Message to the one
Jesse Clegg is addressing his message or thoughts to someone specific.
Step into the sun
Jesse Clegg is telling the person he is addressing to come out of darkness and into the light or positivity.
Remember all the days
Jesse Clegg is reminding the person he is addressing to recall all the past moments of their life.
That disappeared like rain
Jesse Clegg is comparing past memories to rain, something that comes and goes quickly.
Open up your eyes
Jesse Clegg is telling the person he is addressing to be aware or conscious of their surroundings.
Everything's alright
Jesse Clegg is reassuring the person he is addressing that everything is good or okay.
I tried to make you see
Jesse Clegg is saying that he attempted to help the person he is addressing understand something.
The wood for the trees
Jesse Clegg is saying that he tried to help the person he is addressing see the bigger picture or understand the main point.
You pray
Jesse Clegg is acknowledging the fact that the person he is addressing prays or believes in a higher power.
Today
Jesse Clegg again refers to the current present day.
That tomorrow will be your day
Jesse Clegg is saying that the person he is addressing hopes or believes that tomorrow will be better for them.
You say
Jesse Clegg is acknowledging that the person he is addressing has something to say.
I may
Jesse Clegg is acknowledging that he himself may have something to say as well.
Tell you how I am feeling, in your way
Jesse Clegg is saying that he will express his feelings or thoughts on something in a way that the person he is addressing understands or relates to.
(Ah-hooo, oohooh)
Jesse Clegg is again using a musical interjection to transition into the next verse.
(Ah-hooo, oohooohooh)
Jesse Clegg uses another musical interjection to transition into the final part of the song.
I don't wanna be
Jesse Clegg is expressing a negative desire or feeling about something.
I don't wanna be (I've missed you)
Jesse Clegg is saying that he does not want to miss the person he is addressing.
I don't wanna be the only one
Jesse Clegg is saying that he does not want to be the only one experiencing something.
(I've missed you)
Jesse Clegg is reiterating that he has missed the person he is addressing.
I don't wanna be the lonely one
Jesse Clegg is saying that he does not want to be alone or lonely due to the absence of someone or something he cares about.
Lyrics © DAVID GRESHAM MUSIC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bartlight2009
Thankyou Jesse for your gift loved your father luv from Australia
@katewilmot4375
Yes lots of love from Australia...loved Johnny Clegg saw him here once.
@tinanimafusire5568
I am in Zimbabwe heard this song on radio for the first time today, and i think you are in a class of your own. Great voice and lyrics.
@helenavaneden1684
ÁBSOLUTELY...ÁBSOLUTELY ÁBSOLUTELY....Jesse your father was an ÁBSOLUTELY ÁWESOME AN AMÁZING MAN AND SINGER/ARTIST but í think YÓÚ ARE EVEN MÓRESO.....ÁBSOLUTELY AMÁZING AND BÉÁÚTIFUL PERSON INSIDE ÁND OUT and you have the MÓST, MÓST BÉÁÚTIFUL GÓRGEOUS AMÁZING VOICE....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@okkienunez4368
brilliant Jesse 😍🎯💎😘
@thesandsie13the2nd
i love you Jesse mafana. you will be mafana until you are 80. i am very very proud of you
@okkienunez4368
STUNNING Jes lov it!!
@antware
Outstanding Jesse. Your dad was very proud of you no doubt.
@agrinnettexaji7622
One of our own , Well done and sorry for our loss..
@sarahcatherineprior-lodewy8490
I always thought it was the guy from Just jinger going solo... before YouTube 🤣 I would love to hear more of this from Jesse : ticking all the/my boxes of great music. Anyone have a playlist like that?