"Put John Van Deusen’s CD, “Yossarian,” into a disc player and you’ll hear polished, melodic songs reminiscent of Matchbox 20 or the piano-driven Ben Folds Five.
It’s hard to believe that the mature songs, intricate piano performances and deep, comforting voice were all produced by a 17-year-old high school student.
The burgeoning talent of Van Deusen, now 18, has been recognized by Experience Music Project, which selected him and his band as finalists in Sound Off, a competition for regional bands aged 21 or younger. Performing as John Van Deusen and the Lonely Forest, the band offers energetic rock ‘n’ roll, moody and complex piano compositions, strong electric guitar work and polished rhythms, poetry, machines and vocals."
-anacortes american
http://www.goanacortes.com/articles/2006/02/08/ae/ae01.txt
Who You Are
John Van Deusen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon this branch of heirarchy
Watching my missed ants
Go by earthly things
Money power and fame
On there manufactured nightmares
You're so damn lovely
Shake my head at their choices
Their immature uneducated choices
I look on in disgust
As they turn to poison
For a break of reality
While only raining more
Drama and pain
In already flooded rivers
Floating with the remnants
Of their loved ones
Lost to this worthless cause
You're so damn lovely
Don't sell your innocence away
Say you know who you are
Say you are who they made you to be
Never expected to come this far
So sorry my words offend you
Fill this gun shadow
Inherited by my father
Fill me up with capital love
Love produced for the masses
Only to find
Addiction in this drug
You're so damn lovely
Don't give your innocence away
Say you know who you are
Say you are who they made you to be
Never expected to come this far
So sorry my words offend you
In the song "Who You Are" by John Van Deusen, the singer stands upon a branch of hierarchy and watches as people around him become consumed by earthly things such as money, power, and fame. He feels disgusted by their choices and sees them as immature and uneducated. He warns them not to give their innocence away and not to sell themselves short. However, despite his warning, he acknowledges that it is difficult to resist the allure of drugs and love produced for the masses. He admits that he himself has inherited this "gun shadow" from his father and is struggling with the addiction that comes with it.
The lyrics of the song offer a commentary on the human condition and the struggle we face in trying to find our place in the world. The singer recognizes the inherent worth and value of each individual and urges them not to lose sight of it. He also acknowledges the difficulty of living in a society that values wealth and power over personal integrity and warns of the dangers of falling into this trap.
Overall, "Who You Are" is a thought-provoking and introspective song that raises important questions about the meaning of life and the struggles we all face in trying to find our place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand
I am observing from a position of authority
Upon this branch of heirarchy
On this higher level where I have power and privilege
Watching my missed ants
Observing those who are below me and less important
Go by earthly things
Chasing after material possessions and pleasures
Money power and fame
The goals that people are pursuing
On there manufactured nightmares
In their own self-created problems
You're so damn lovely
You are precious and valuable
Don't give your innocence away
Do not let others take advantage of you
Shake my head at their choices
I disapprove of their decisions
Their immature uneducated choices
They lack wisdom and knowledge in making decisions
I look on in disgust
I feel contempt for them
As they turn to poison
Their actions harm themselves and others
For a break of reality
To escape from their problems temporarily
While only raining more
But actually making their situation worse
Drama and pain
The negative consequences of their actions
In already flooded rivers
In situations that are already bad
Floating with the remnants
Surviving with the things that remain
Of their loved ones
Of those who are important to them
Lost to this worthless cause
Suffering for something that is not worth it
Say you know who you are
Be true to yourself and your identity
Say you are who they made you to be
Do not let others define who you are
Never expected to come this far
Did not anticipate that you would reach this point in life
So sorry my words offend you
Apologizing for causing offense or discomfort
Fill this gun shadow
The pain and burden that came from my father
Inherited by my father
Passed down through my family
Fill me up with capital love
Provided by society and culture
Love produced for the masses
Love that is created for everyone
Only to find
But ultimately realizing
Addiction in this drug
That it is actually a harmful addiction
Don't sell your innocence away
Do not compromise your virtue or morals
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.