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.
Watch Our Shadows Run
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were the only one
I let inside
If anyone could save me
You were the only one
To survive
All my deceit
In the darkness of a dead end street
Watch our shadows run
It's a war
No one ever won
And I betrayed you
I was the only one
You let inside
If anyone could save you
I was the only one
To survive
All my deceit
On the corner of a crowded street
Here comes the sun
Watch our shadows run
It's a war
No one ever won
Here comes the sun
Watch our shadows run
It's a war
No one ever won
In the song "Watch Our Shadows Run" by Joseph Arthur, the lyrics speak to the experiences of two individuals who have betrayed one another. The song is filled with emotional depth as the artist sings about the pain, regret, and mistakes that have led to the crumbling of the relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of two individuals who were thought to be able to save one another, but ultimately failed to do so.
The artist begins by revealing that he was betrayed by the person he allowed inside. He confesses that he believed that this person was his only hope for salvation, but it turns out that they could not save him from himself. The person he trusted was not enough to steer him away from the deceitful and treacherous path he was on. The lyrics suggest that both parties knew what was at stake, yet they still went ahead and engaged in behaviors that caused them to betray one another.
The song also speaks to the universal concept of war. The lyrics state that it is a war that no one has ever won. It is a battle that never ends, and the wounds that are inflicted never truly heal. In the end, the only thing that matters is the fleeting moment of hope that comes with the rising sun. It is in that moment that the two individuals come face to face with their shadows, and are forced to confront the pain that they have caused one another.
Line by Line Meaning
You betrayed me
You violated my trust and loyalty
You were the only one
You were the sole person who did it
I let inside
I allowed you into my life openly and honestly
If anyone could save me
If anyone had the power to rescue me from the predicament
You were the only one
You were the only one capable of doing so
To survive
To continue living in a fulfilling and meaningful way
All my deceit
All the lies and dishonesty I've engaged in
In the darkness of a dead end street
In the hopeless and desperate situation without an escape
Here comes the sun
The new beginning or hope is about to rise for us
Watch our shadows run
Observe our darkest deeds and past actions disappear with the dawn of a new day
It's a war
It's a conflict or struggle
No one ever won
No one ever emerged as a clear winner or an ultimate victor
And I betrayed you
And I also disrespected your trust and loyalty
I was the only one
I was the sole person responsible for committing the treachery
You let inside
You allowed me openly and honestly into your life
If anyone could save you
If anyone had the power to help you out of a difficult period
I was the only one
I was the only person with the ability to do so
To survive
To persevere and thrive despite adversity
On the corner of a crowded street
On the busy intersection of people's lives
Writer(s): Joseph Lyburn Arthur Copyright: Lonely Astronaut
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adann Alaz
Es una hermosa cancion. Thank you J.A.!
shutterhound
Beautiful, amazing as always Joseph!
Kent Borges
JOE, YOU GO, FLOW, SHOW, KNOW...and THROW your heart into your art...LOVE IT !!!
Caroline Hebel
I love ❤️ this sad song it touches my heart and heals my soul
jamarsu
Damn. Once I start listening to him I can't stop. Love his voice, lyrics, etc. etc.
Dominik Daks
thanks so much for that!! awesome painting!!! you are agreat inspiration on every level!!
Fristine Flores
This is so amazing
Tracie Geeting
i have used your music as the background for my creative output. the duality of sound and visaual is something. I hope yuo do not implode
Slinky1052
awesome work
Damien Hunt
Insightful fragility.