In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Bill Wilson
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trading in their hearts for second place
Everybody on this planet is lost
I feel like Bill Wilson broke my legs
Oh my darling how come you look nervous
Is it cause my lips are turning blue
I can tell that you don't think I'm worthless
I wish i could think the way you do.
I don't want to party anymore than i have
I just want to make it in your world
Make it in your world.
Everyone says i should get a sponsor
Someone I can call on everyday
Tell him everything that I've been thinking
Throw my poison flower on his grave
It's been so long since I've made a meeting
Cause they always say the same thing twice.
I guess I would rather just be myself.
Instead of always trying to get nice
In this room the wheelchairs are on fire
People here are made of ice and salt
Raising hands in brave communication
Breaking over what the public thought
After ward we count our time like money
Holding hands in circles made of prayer
When your with them you feel like your family
But when your gone It's like you were never there
The lyrics of Joseph Arthur's song, Bill Wilson, evokes a sense of loss, regret, and despair as it follows the story of an addict who is trying to make sense of his life. The opening lines "All my junky friends are getting straight jobs, trading their hearts for second place" paints a vivid picture of the singer's frustration as he watches his friends succumb to societal norms and give up on their own dreams. The line "I feel like Bill Wilson broke my legs" refers to Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and how his philosophy is often used to justify sobriety at the expense of other areas of life. The addict feels constrained by the expectations of the program and the lack of fulfillment it brings to his life.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the singer's addiction has taken a toll on his relationships. The line "Oh my darling how come you look nervous, is it cause my lips are turning blue" illustrates the physical impact of his addiction on his partner. The lines "I wish I could think the way you do, make it in your world" showcase his desire to fit in and be accepted by the mainstream society.
The final verse is rife with imagery as the singer attends an AA meeting. The lines "In this room the wheelchairs are on fire, people here are made of ice and salt" contrasts the seeming normalcy of the scene with a surreal and dystopian quality. The singer does feel a sense of camaraderie and kinship with the attendees, but as he leaves the meeting, he realizes that the sense of belonging was fleeting, and he remains alone once again. The song ends on a note of melancholy and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
All my junky friends are getting straight jobs
My friends who had drug addiction problems have started taking conventional jobs.
Trading in their hearts for second place
They are willing to give up their passion for their chosen career path.
Everybody on this planet is lost
The feeling of confusion and disorientation is common for everyone.
I feel like Bill Wilson broke my legs
I feel helpless as if my legs have been broken.
Oh my darling how come you look nervous
I notice that you appear anxious.
Is it cause my lips are turning blue
Are you afraid because my lips are turning blue, a sign of drug overdose?
I can tell that you don't think I'm worthless
I sense that you don't consider me completely lacking in value.
I wish i could think the way you do.
I desire to have the same thought process as you do.
I don't want to party anymore than i have
I have had enough partying in my life and don't want to do it anymore.
I just want to make it in your world
I desire to succeed in your life, your world.
Everyone says i should get a sponsor
I receive advice from people to get a sponsor.
Someone I can call on everyday
I need someone to call every day to share my thoughts and struggles.
Tell him everything that I've been thinking
I plan on sharing all my thoughts with my sponsor.
Throw my poison flower on his grave
I plan on getting rid of my bad habits like deadly poison and live a better life.
It's been so long since I've made a meeting
I have not attended a meeting for a long time.
Cause they always say the same thing twice.
They repeat themselves at every meeting.
I guess I would rather just be myself.
I want to be my true self and not pretend to be something else.
Instead of always trying to get nice
I'd rather not put an effort in being likeable to others.
In this room the wheelchairs are on fire
A powerful energy is present in this room.
People here are made of ice and salt
The people in this room have strong personalities.
Raising hands in brave communication
People in this room communicate bravely by raising their hands and voicing their thoughts.
Breaking over what the public thought
They are breaking away from commonly-held beliefs.
After ward we count our time like money
We value our time and measure it in a similar way to money.
Holding hands in circles made of prayer
We hold hands in prayer circles to demonstrate solidarity and support.
When your with them you feel like your family
The people in this room provide a sense of family when you are with them.
But when your gone It's like you were never there
Once you leave, it's as if you were never there in the first place.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind