The song Crosses, from Crosses EP and the later Veneer, appeared on the finale of the second season of the popular American television comedy-drama The O.C.. His cover of Heartbeats (also from Veneer) was used in a popular Sony BRAVIA TV commercial featuring coloured bouncing balls in San Francisco and an episode of Zach Braff's Scrubs
His song Far Away was also prominently featured in the Rockstar video game Red Dead Redemption.
His trademark sound is solo acoustic guitar with soft melody. His work, although mostly original, does include acoustic covers of great hits such as Love Will Tear Us Apart, Born in the U.S.A., and Teardrop.
González also appears in the Zero 7 album The Garden, in which he sings on three tracks and on a re-worked version of Crosses.
Deadweight On Velveteen
José González Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's retained emptiness
It's not what it seems
Uncover the mystery
Tell everyone what you see
It's not what it seems
Vulgar when brought to light
Betray the image
It's not what it seems
But dead weight on velveteen
Vulgar when brought to light
Vulgar the lie
The lyrics to José González's song Deadweight on Velveteen describe a sense of disappointment and disillusionment in a relationship or situation that was once perceived as pure and beautiful. The "dead weight" represents a sense of burdensome heaviness that is dragging down the singer's perception of the situation, while the "velveteen" is a soft and luxurious fabric that represents the initial appearance of beauty and sweetness. The singer is distressed by the fact that their initial perceptions of the situation were not accurate, and that there is something ugly and vulgar lurking beneath the surface.
The line "there's nothing between the sheets" suggests that there is a sense of sexual betrayal or disappointment that is contributing to the singer's disillusionment. The phrase "betray the image" suggests that the singer had certain expectations or ideals that were not met by the reality of the situation. Despite the disappointment and the sense of ugliness, the singer is still holding onto a sense of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that they feel compelled to unravel the truth of the situation and expose it to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead weight on velveteen
A heavy burden that is suffocating and difficult to remove.
It's retained emptiness
Something that appears full on the surface, but is actually empty and devoid of meaning or substance.
It's not what it seems
Things are not always as they appear and can be misleading.
Uncover the mystery
To reveal a hidden, unknown truth or situation.
Tell everyone what you see
To share your perception and understanding of a situation with others.
Vulgar when brought to light
When something hidden or secret is revealed, it can be seen as shameful or indecent.
Betray the image
To expose the reality of a situation that conflicts with how it was perceived or portrayed.
There's nothing between the sheets
A sexual reference to emphasize the lack of substance, connection, or intimacy in a situation.
It's not what it seems
Reiterating the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
But dead weight on velveteen
Reinforcing the idea of a heavy burden that is suffocating and difficult to remove.
Vulgar the lie
The deception or falsehood that was hidden beneath the surface is exposed and seen as indecent or shameful.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSE GONZALEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philipmbarry
This is the most inspired music I have heard in ages. What a brilliant talent. This is so beautiful.
@matthewnash4953
loving these new/old vids!
@freshtoast831
this is probably one of my favorite songs right now. I love everything about it. amazing work.
Happy early Christmas by the way!🎄🍪🥛
@MilesWilliams88
It's brilliant.
@jorgeroybal2259
Best song last night in Montevideo!! THanks.Gracias
@MilesWilliams88
He didn't play this one when I saw him in St. Louis a couple years ago. I wish he would of. This song is so damn good! It was still one of the best concerts I've ever been too. José is brilliant!
@IamVengeance.
so good !!! best music ever !!!
@IamVengeance.
2years!!!!!!!!!!
@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.
"José González meets Anne Laplantine." ,dan'
@taniadelacombe4476
Gosh, CSNY might be jealous, all 4 of them ...