Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Bright Smile
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel I'm owed some joy
Oh Imogene and Abelard
I'm your homeward boy
But there's another one
Who brings me to your door
And the boat she weaved from the tidal reeds
Was always tied to shore
[Chorus]
With bright smiles and dark eyes
Bright smile dark eyes
Everywhere I went oh
I was always searching for ya
Bright smile dark eyes
I'm looking for some peace
But it's so hard to find
With Calamity Janes and the Steamboat Casanovas
And Darling Clementines
If she's your only one
Then she is also mine
Just pin your heartbeat up against my heartbeat
And you'll see how well we rhyme
[Chorus]
Man is only half himself
The other half is a bright thing
He tumbles on by luck or grace
For man is ever a blind thing
[Chorus]
The first verse of Josh Ritter's song Bright Smile talks about the end of a long journey and longing to finally find some joy. The singer refers to Imogene and Abelard, two literary figures who are a symbol for true love and romance. The next few lines, however, introduce another character, a woman who seems to be coming between the singer and Imogene and Abelard. This woman is compared to a boat made of tidal reeds, which is always tied to shore - perhaps a metaphor for her inability to leave her past behind and move forward.
The chorus of the song, which is repeated twice, features the phrase "bright smile dark eyes" and hints at the struggle that the singer faces in his search for happiness. He's always looking for that special someone who can bring him joy, but it seems like every woman he meets has some kind of darkness or complication that makes it hard for him to find peace.
In the second verse, the singer talks about his encounters with different women - Calamity Janes, Steamboat Casanovas, and Darling Clementines - but he still hasn't found the right one. He acknowledges that there may be some overlap between his love interests and those of his desired partner, but he's willing to work through it if it means finding happiness. The final lines of the verse describe the intimate connection the singer shares with his love interest - his heart beating against hers - and suggests that they're a perfect match.
The final verse of the song is a philosophical reflection on the nature of man. It suggests that humans are only "half themselves," with the other half being a "bright thing" that propels them forward in life. The singer describes this "bright thing" as luck or grace, which guides us even when we can't see where we're going. The chorus is repeated again at the end, leaving the listener with the sense that the singer is still searching for that elusive sense of happiness and completion.
Overall, Bright Smile is a complex and introspective song that explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. The metaphorical language used by Ritter adds depth and complexity to the lyrics, and the chorus of the song is both haunting and hopeful.
Line by Line Meaning
Now my work is done
After completing a task, I feel entitled to some contentment.
I feel I'm owed some joy
I feel that I have earned the right to experience happiness.
Oh Imogene and Abelard
Imogene and Abelard are the names of a couple mentioned in this song.
I'm your homeward boy
I am a person who is coming home to them.
But there's another one
There's a different person who is also related to them.
Who brings me to your door
That person leads me to the door of Imogene and Abelard.
And the boat she weaved from the tidal reeds
The person who leads me to Imogene and Abelard made a boat from the reeds that grew near the water's edge.
Was always tied to shore
That boat never left the shore.
With bright smiles and dark eyes
People with both bright smiles and dark eyes are present in this song.
Everywhere I went oh
No matter where I went.
I was always searching for ya
I've always been intent on finding you.
I'm looking for some peace
I am looking for tranquility and relaxation.
But it's so hard to find
But it's very difficult to achieve that goal.
With Calamity Janes and the Steamboat Casanovas
The song mentions people called Calamity Janes and the Steamboat Casanovas.
And Darling Clementines
Darling Clementines is the name being used to refer to particular people.
If she's your only one
If she is the only person you love.
Then she is also mine
I love her too.
Just pin your heartbeat up against my heartbeat
Let us feel our heartbeats synchronized.
And you'll see how well we rhyme
Our hearts beat at an almost identical rate.
Man is only half himself
In this life span, human is only able to achieve half of their potential.
The other half is a bright thing
The other half of the human potential is a brilliant, luminous quality.
He tumbles on by luck or grace
Humans function in life by way of a combination of luck and divine favor.
For man is ever a blind thing
Humans are often unaware of the forces that guide their lives.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@atrueelsewhere
I remember my sister placed this song on a slide show that consisted of pictures of my childhood for me at my high school graduation way back in 2004. I cried, it was so perfect. Josh Ritter will forever and always be my number one artist. Can't wait for that new album of his!!
@GSchazz
i wish more artists played like this, and made the music he does. brilliant
@myspicyburrito
i've been listening to josh ritter for like two year now and i still cant get enough of his songs they're sooo goood! his songs never get old
@CKraus
I love this song so much!
@musicdoc522
he is getting real famous now. 2007 and he deserves it.
@craisin7
I love this song and the video is beautiful too. Thanks for posting it!
@mothercash
don't know why everyone feels the need to compare him to anyone- dylan, springsteen, cohen, whoever- nothing exists in a vacuum, obviously Josh has heard all of these artists and at some level been influenced. What's important, I think, is how he's revitalizing and envigorating the whole genre, whether you want to call it folk, singer songwriter, or cosmic american music- who cares how you label it. josh is brilliant, and I'm not alone in expressing this opinion. WOW -come back to Saskatoon!
@sal204
I love this song. thank you.
@MALecompte69
Any kind of music can be good when it is well done and of good taste. Question of preference.
@myodana
beautifully done video. brilliant.