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.
Dessert
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
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To smiles & glazy widening eyes
Extinguished by the breeze of hungry applause and the grabbed forks shine
Awake enough to see quivering lips reach toward your soft sweet heart
Now loosening flesh in spit of grinding teeth
Still trying to distinguish yourself from a ghost
Engulfed by the smile of swallowing
The opening lines of Joseph Arthur's song Dessert create a vivid image of a dessert being presented to a group of people. The dessert is described as being brought in burning in bourbon, which immediately conveys a sense of excitement and anticipation. The next line "to smiles & glazy widening eyes" further emphasizes this feeling, painting a picture of people eagerly anticipating the dessert's arrival. The line "extinguished by the breeze of hungry applause and the grabbed forks shine" makes it clear that the dessert is being devoured within seconds of its arrival. The final two lines of this verse are particularly poignant, highlighting the fleeting nature of pleasure and the inevitability of death. The singer notes that even as people are enjoying the dessert, they are still "trying to distinguish yourself from a ghost," acknowledging the looming specter of mortality that haunts us all.
The second half of the verse continues to explore these themes of pleasure and longing. The singer uses the image of "quivering lips reach[ing] toward your soft sweet heart" to describe the act of consuming the dessert. This line is notable for its sensuality, evoking a sense of desire and longing. However, the final line of the verse, "Still trying to distinguish yourself from a ghost, engulfed by the smile of swallowing" suggests that even as we indulge in pleasure, we are still haunted by the knowledge of our own mortality. The smile of swallowing is a temporary pleasure that is ultimately fleeting, and we are left with the overwhelming reality of our own mortality.
Overall, Joseph Arthur's song Dessert is a meditation on the fleeting nature of pleasure and the inevitability of death. Through its vivid descriptions of a dessert being consumed, the song highlights the transience of pleasure and the bittersweet nature of human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the dessert brought burning in bourbon
You bring a burning passion to the table like a dessert that has been soaked in bourbon.
To smiles & glazy widening eyes
Your presence brings joy and excitement to those around you, putting a glaze of contentment on their eyes.
Extinguished by the breeze of hungry applause and the grabbed forks shine
Your mesmerizing presence is short-lived, and disappears in a flurry of applause and eager consumption. As the forks descend, your shining presence fades away.
Awake enough to see quivering lips reach toward your soft sweet heart
Although you may not be aware of it, there are those who are drawn towards you, attracted like moths to a flame.
Now loosening flesh in spit of grinding teeth
Despite the growing desire for you, there are still those who struggle to resist the temptation you offer, and they grind their teeth in frustration and desire.
Still trying to distinguish yourself from a ghost
Although you have a strong presence, there is a worry that you may not be substantial, and that you may be easily forgotten like a ghost.
Engulfed by the smile of swallowing
As those around you consume you, they are overcome with satisfaction and joy, enthralled by the very essence of your being.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind