Most recently, Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed Atlantic/Roadrunner Records U.K.-based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. Wesley's versatility shows from his diverse touring background. In recent years he has performed lead guitars and background vocals for White Lion front man Mike Tramp, subbed on lead guitar and bass for Gainsville's Sister Hazel, and as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog band Fish on many lengthy European, American and South American Tours and on several U.S. and European Solo dates.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
He has an official fan website at http://www.john-wesley.com where fans can read lyrics, view photos and preview album clips.
On the 24th August 2007, John Wesley announced that he was making the majority of his solo material available for free download on his website http://www.john-wesley.com, in what he called his "Share the Wes" policy. He will still be offering certain CDs and new releases for purchase at gigs and online.
2. John Wesley was an American soul singer of the 1960s, who released most of his music on the Melic record label. Most of his recordings were credited to John Wesley & The Four Tees, except for a 1966 single called 'Love Is Such a Funny Thing', which was recorded with The Four Tees but credited to Wesley alone.
An Elegant Mess
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I grow deaf from all your ringing in my head
The calm that's left makes for the door and then slips out
The prosecution rests it's case and takes a bow
You just stare... stare...
Look at me, look at me now
Got to get back to zero somehow
No hope but to confess
You are an elegant mess
Tremendous weight falls on the shoulders of the dead
We bury truth and live in make believe instead
Look at me, look at me now
Got to get back to zero somehow
Face down mining the depths
No hope but to confess
Look at me look at me now
Got to get up from nothing somehow
Face down out of my head
No hope but to confess
You are an elegant mess
Look at me look at me now
Got to get up from nothing somehow
Oh, left alone minding the dead
No hope, no hope
Look at me look at me now
Got to get up from nothing somehow
Face down out of my head
No hope, no hope
Look at me look at me now
Got to get back to zero somehow
Face down mining the depths
No hope left to confess
Look at me, look at me now
Got to get back to zero somehow
Face down out of my head
No hope but to confess
You are an elegant mess
In John Wesley's song An Elegant Mess, the lyrics unravel a tension-filled relationship where words and silence speak louder than actions. There’s communication breakdown, and the singer feels unheard and ignored the more he tries to make his voice heard. The opening lines "Your eyes float left with every single word you say, and I grow deaf from all your ringing in my head" illustrate how there's a divergence and disconnection between their communication. The singer has reached a point where he's losing touch with himself and can barely keep his emotions in check. He paints the picture of the calm before the storm before slipping away, leaving him alone to deal with the mess. The line "You are an elegant mess," sums up the frustration of the singer and the complexity of the person he is dealing with.
The chorus of the song is introspective and aims to dig deeper into the mindset of the singer. He seems to have reached a breaking point and wants to start from scratch. The line "Got to get back to zero somehow," suggests he's at a dead end and desires to hit the restart button to salvage what’s left of the relationship. The image of being "Face down mining the depths," paints the picture of someone trapped and in search of a way out. The character is willing to put everything on the line for a fresh start but realizes they can only do it if their partner is willing to go along with the changes needed.
Line by Line Meaning
Your eyes float left with every single word you say
I can tell that you're dishonest just by looking at your eyes when you speak.
And I grow deaf from all your ringing in my head
Your lies and deceit are so loud and constant that they start to overwhelm and exhaust me.
The calm that's left makes for the door and then slips out
Any sense of peace or stability that existed in our relationship has disappeared, and I am left with nothing but the option to leave.
The prosecution rests it's case and takes a bow
I am finished trying to argue with you, because I know that I am not going to convince you of anything. You have won, and I am giving up.
You just stare... stare...
You don't even try to defend yourself or prove me wrong - you just stare blankly and refuse to engage with me.
Got to get back to zero somehow
I need to start over and wipe the slate clean, because there is no way to fix or salvage what we had together.
Face down mining the depths
I am struggling and digging deep into my own emotions to try and figure out what went wrong and how to move forward.
No hope but to confess
The only way to start moving on is to admit my own mistakes and take responsibility for my part in our relationship's downfall.
You are an elegant mess
Despite all the chaos and damage that you have caused, there is still something deeply alluring and complicated about you that draws me in.
Tremendous weight falls on the shoulders of the dead
We are weighed down and suffocated by the past mistakes and failures that we carry with us, to the point where it feels like we are already dead.
We bury truth and live in make believe instead
Rather than confronting the difficult truths of our situation, we choose to ignore them and create a false reality that we can live in instead.
Oh, left alone minding the dead
I am left to deal with the aftermath of our relationship on my own, and the feelings of grief and loss that come with it.
No hope, no hope
I am consumed by a sense of hopelessness and despair, with no clear way out or path forward.
No hope left to confess
Even though I know that admitting my mistakes is the right thing to do, I no longer have any faith that it will make a difference or lead to a positive outcome.
Contributed by Mateo L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.