Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-… Read Full Bio ↴Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-songwriter from Akron, Ohio. He is known for his melodic compositions combined with swirling choruses. He was discovered by Peter Gabriel in the mid-'90s and signed to Gabriel's Real World label in 1996. Arthur's first album, Big City Secrets, was released in 1997 to critical acclaim.

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.

Hang Around Here
Joseph Arthur Lyrics

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Your tongue is a razor blade
(should be) careful of the things you say
('cause you) you speak your mind at me all day
(of stitching) of stitching up the games we play

Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here
Hang around here
I keep getting left behind

Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here
Hang around here
I'll go someplace I can't be found

I'll hang like my picture of you
The one I took of you coming down
Your sitting on the sideways chair
My feet never touch the ground

Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here
Hang around here
I keep getting left behind

Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here
Hang around here
I'll go someplace I can't be found
I'll go someplace I can't be found

I'll go someplace I can't be found
I'll go someplace I can't be found

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joseph Arthur's song Hang Around Here seem to express a feeling of being pushed away, of being hurt by someone's sharp words, of not wanting to stick around and be left behind. The opening line, "Your tongue is a razor blade," sets the tone for the entire song, warning the other person to be careful of what they say, as they speak their mind all day. There's a sense of frustration in the lyrics, perhaps towards someone who seems to be playing games and stitching things up, making it hard to know what's real. The repetition of the chorus, "Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here, hang around here," feels like a mantra, a way of reassuring oneself that it's okay to leave, to go somewhere new where they can't be found.

The last stanza of the song adds a touch of melancholy, perhaps nostalgia. The image of hanging like the picture of the other person, the one coming down, is poignant. It's as if the singer is frozen in time, while the other person moves on, sitting on a "sideways chair." The line, "My feet never touch the ground," reinforces the feeling of being stuck or lost. It's possible that the image of the picture is a metaphor for a past relationship, where the singer is still stuck in the memories and can't move forward.

Overall, the song Hang Around Here feels like a plea for space, for freedom, to escape the pain and confusion of a toxic relationship. The repetition of the chorus and the simple, yet evocative lyrics create a sense of urgency and longing for something new.

Line by Line Meaning

Your tongue is a razor blade
You are very sharp and hurtful with your words.

(should be) careful of the things you say
You should be cautious with your words and think before speaking.

('cause you) you speak your mind at me all day
Because you constantly speak your thoughts to me throughout the day.

(of stitching) of stitching up the games we play
Of repairing the harm done to the playful activities we engage in.

Hey yeah, don't have to hang around here
Hey yeah, you don't have to stay in this place.

Hang around here
Keep lingering here.

I keep getting left behind
I am constantly being left out or ignored.

(I'll) go someplace I can't be found
I will choose to go to a hidden place where I cannot be discovered.

I'll hang like my picture of you
I will remain still or wait like my photograph of you, fixed in time.

The one I took of you coming down
The one I captured of you descending.

Your sitting on the sideways chair
You are positioned on the sidelong seat.