Rouse lived in various places in Midwest America during his childhood due to his father's military career. Following his time at Austin Peay State University, he eventually settled down in Tennessee, where he met some local musicians and began recording. Signing to the Rykodisc subsidiary Slow River, in 1998, Rouse issued his debut album, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, to widespread critical acclaim; upon settling in Nashville, he was befriended by Kurt Wagner, frontman of the endlessly brilliant chamber country group Lambchop, and in the fall of 1999, the two singers/songwriters issued a collaborative EP, Chester.
Rouse's second solo LP, Home, appeared the following spring and was followed by Under the Cold Blue Stars in 2002. For his next record Rouse hooked up with producer Brad Jones and the resulting album in 2003, 1972, was both a homage to the soft rock sounds of Rouse's youth and an opening up and deepening of his sound. Before the release of his next album, Rouse's marriage ended and he moved from Nashville to Spain. This spawned 2004's Nashville, an example of his versatile musical talent, featuring a blend of Rock, Jazz and Ballad. It served as a farewell to both the city and his marriage; it was also his most fully realized record to date. This album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005 (#80).
Rouse's next album, called Subtitulo, was released March 21, 2006 in which his move to Spain was evident.It marked a further finessing of his sound and a move towards the music of an early Paul Simon.
2007 saw a rather busy year for Rouse. He started off supporting John Mayer on a series of his Winter Tour dates. Not soon after, he released a joint EP with his girlfriend Paz Suay, under the moniker of She's Spanish, I'm American. At the end of July, Rouse released his 7th LP, Country Mouse, Cit y House. The record marked a detour from Subtitulo, offering a fuller, more instrumental sound, which appeared to divide both critics and fans. Rouse toured extensively worldwide to support the album.
He released "El Turista" in February 2010 and "The Happiness Waltz" in 2013.
www.joshrouse.com
Dressed Up Like Nebraska
Josh Rouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this place
All of your demons rest
In my space
I dreamed last night
You and I were there
Old and gray
Holding tight
But I can't touch you where you are
There you stood dressed up like Nebraska
Plain as day
It's being in the dark that makes me so
Paranoid
It's the feeling of a sort that just won't
Stay inclined enough
I could see your eyes tonight
Somehow try to set it right
I could change your mind to see things
I can't touch you where you are
There you stood dressed up like Nebraska
Plain as day
I can't touch you where you are
There you stood dressed up like Nebraska
The lyrics to Josh Rouse's song Dressed Up Like Nebraska touch on themes of loss, nostalgia, longing and regret. The opening lines seem to suggest that the singer is being confronted with the demons of a past relationship, the ghosts of which still haunt him despite their physical absence. The line "Trying to tell me something here, in this place / All of your demons rest in my space" underscores the sense that the past is somehow present, and that memories can exert a powerful hold on our lives.
The dream that the singer has of being with his former partner in old age, "holding tight", adds to this sense of wistful longing. There is a sense of sadness and unresolved tension in the line "You were always so cold", which suggests that the relationship was not a happy one.
The refrain, "I can't touch you where you are / There you stood dressed up like Nebraska / Plain as day" is enigmatic and haunting. The reference to Nebraska is intriguing, and could be interpreted in a number of ways: perhaps it represents a place that holds special meaning for the couple, or it could be read as a symbol of the vast, open spaces of the American Midwest, where it is easy to feel lost and alone.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the ways in which memory can continue to shape our lives, even when the past is long gone. Its haunting melody and evocative lyrics make it a powerful testament to the enduring power of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Trying to tell me something here
You're communicating with me, but I'm not sure what you're trying to say.
In this place
Right here, in this location.
All of your demons rest
All of your troubles and problems are present and lingering.
In my space
But they are currently occupying my personal environment.
I dreamed last night
In my sleep I had a dream.
You and I were there
We were together in that dream.
Old and gray
We were both old, with gray hair.
Holding tight
We were embracing each other firmly.
You were always so cold
You were emotionally distant and unresponsive.
But I can't touch you where you are
I can't physically connect with you in your current state.
There you stood dressed up like Nebraska
You appeared before me, appearing like the state of Nebraska.
Plain as day
Clearly visible and in plain sight.
It's being in the dark that makes me so
The lack of information or knowledge is what causes my sense of unease.
Paranoid
To be in a state of fear and suspicion.
It's the feeling of a sort that just won't
This particular emotion is stubborn and won't dissipate.
Stay inclined enough
It's not persistent or strong enough.
I could see your eyes tonight
Later today, I might encounter you and look into your eyes.
Somehow try to set it right
I'll attempt to fix the issue between us, somehow.
I could change your mind to see things
I might be able to alter your perspective on things.
I can't touch you where you are
Once again, I'm unable to reach you in your current state.
There you stood dressed up like Nebraska
I still see you, appearing as Nebraska.
Plain as day
Just as clear and visible as before.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Josh Rouse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind