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.
Termite Song
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As we go along
I don't have any words to put into your song
Look in through the junkyard of your heart
I need to find an engine for my car
I Don't know where you are
I Don't know where you are
When I drive
Singing bye, bye, bye, bye
I know I really try
I know I never have been good
And for my missing heart
I carve one out of wood
Now I see the termite
Crawling out of me
After they are finished
I wonder where you will be
I wonder where you will be
I wonder where you will be
When I drive around the bin
Singing bye, bye, bye, bye
You never have been wrong
You never have been sane
Though you say that you don't care
In your eyes I see the shame
Looking through the window of your mind
I see a lonely shadow running out of time
Running out of time
When I drive
When I drive around the bin
Singing bye, bye, bye, bye
"Termite Song" by Joseph Arthur is a melancholic and introspective song that delves into the theme of lost love, self-doubt, and introspection. The song appears to be about a man who is trying to make sense of a failed relationship, but is struggling to find the right words to express the pain he feels. He talks about looking through the junkyard of his heart in search of an engine for his car, comparing his heart to a discarded and broken down car. The repetition of the line "I don't know where you are" underscores his confusion and desperation in trying to understand what went wrong.
As the song progresses, the man's introspection turns to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. He acknowledges that he has not always been good and that he has a "missing heart". The line "Now I see the termite / Crawling out of me" suggests that he is starting to recognize how his own insecurities may have contributed to the breakdown of the relationship. The metaphor of the termite illustrates the idea that the man's doubts are slowly eating away at him from the inside.
The song concludes with the man reflecting on the futility of his situation. He sees a "lonely shadow running out of time" in his mind's eye, suggesting that he feels like time is slipping away from him and he is powerless to stop it. The repeated phrase "bye, bye, bye, bye" seems to be a way for him to say goodbye to the past and to the person he has lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Couldn't make it up
I'm not making this up, this is really happening
As we go along
As time goes on and things progress
I don't have any words to put into your song
I don't have anything to contribute to your life or situation
Look in through the junkyard of your heart
Take a deep look inside yourself and confront your emotional issues
I need to find an engine for my car
I need something to help move me forward in my life
I Don't know where you are
I don't know your whereabouts or your emotional state
When I drive
As I move forward in my life
When I drive around the bin
When I'm going around in circles, not making any progress
Singing bye, bye, bye, bye
Saying goodbye to the past and moving on
I know I really try
I am putting in effort and doing my best
I know I never have been good
I acknowledge that I have made mistakes and not been the best I can be
And for my missing heart
To fill the void in my heart
I carve one out of wood
I create a replacement or substitute for what I am missing
Now I see the termite
I have deep-rooted issues that are destroying me from the inside
Crawling out of me
My issues are coming to the surface and I can no longer ignore them
After they are finished
Once these issues have taken their toll on me
I wonder where you will be
I wonder where you will be in relation to me and my situation
You never have been wrong
You have always been right, I have always been the one in the wrong
You never have been sane
You have always been irrational or unpredictable
Though you say that you don't care
Even though you claim to be unaffected
In your eyes I see the shame
I can tell that you are ashamed, even if you won't admit it
Looking through the window of your mind
Examining your thoughts and emotions
I see a lonely shadow running out of time
I see someone who is alone and running out of time to make things right
Running out of time
Time is running out for things to improve
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathaniel Bowler
JA has so many great songs. This is my absolute favorite.
Le YASEP
And his beauty is now 20 years old...
Seeing it played live at that time was an unforgettable experience.
On one occasion, Joseph totally destroyed a microphone by scratching it against the brick wall at the back of the stage...
WhatWouldHouseDo
Gorgeous- love the whole album.
Lee Fowler
how does this only have 2600 views lol. this song is a MASTERPIECE. If I can't sleep, I'll put this on and drift away...
Ph4n_t0m
the rhythmic shaker always makes me think of crunching termites as they gnaw through the woodwork..