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
The Man Who...
Josh Rouse Lyrics
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at least a dozen women broke his heart
and there he'd sit and think about his past
she lived in Brooklyn and she rode the trains
first she'd take the G then the L
and that is where they met upon that day
she wants to help him now
he's the man who doesn't know how
he's the man who doesn't know how to smile
It's not that simple just to change a man
even if you think that you have skill
with disadvantaged hearts
so used some caution when you see him pass
he won't hurt you but his face is sad
and everyday he's breathin through the gills
she's gonna help him now
Cuz he's the man who doesn't know how
he's the man who doesn't know how
he's the man who doesn't know how to smile
he's not happy by himself
The summer turned into fall
and they took a little trip to the cape
and that is where they laid they're bodies down
and in the morning when the the sun came up
she looked at him just to say
that she would never go astray
it's gonna work out now
Cuz he's the man who doesn't know how
he's the man who doesn't know how
he's the man who doesn't know how to smile
he's not happy by himself
The song "The Man Who..." by Josh Rouse is a contemplative piece on the struggles of a man who has been wounded by love in the past. The opening lines describe how he used to work in Central Park and was hurt repeatedly by women, leaving him with a heavy heart. The lyrics suggest that he has lost his ability to be happy and smile, and the singer implies that this is a reflection of a deeper wound.
The chorus repeats the refrain "he's the man who doesn't know how" to emphasize his lack of ability to find happiness on his own. The singer warns that it is not easy to change a person, especially one who has been hurt so deeply. However, there is hope when she talks about helping him.
The last verses talk about a woman who meets him on the train and takes a trip to the cape with him. The lyrics suggest that this relationship may be the key to his healing. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the woman reassuring him that she will never leave him.
Overall, "The Man Who..." is a reflective piece that explores the complexities of love, pain, and healing. It highlights the importance of human connection and the role it can play in helping people overcome their past hurts and find happiness once again.
Line by Line Meaning
He used to work in Central Park where
He worked in Central Park
at least a dozen women broke his heart
He had his heart broken multiple times by different women
and there he'd sit and think about his past
He would sit and contemplate his past while at work in Central Park
she lived in Brooklyn and she rode the trains
The woman he meets lives in Brooklyn and commutes by train
first she'd take the G then the L
She takes two trains, the G and the L
and that is where they met upon that day
They met on the train
she wants to help him now
The woman wants to help him
Cuz he's the man who doesn't know how
He is a man who is struggling
he's the man who doesn't know how
He doesn't know how to overcome his struggles
he's the man who doesn't know how to smile
He is not a happy person and cannot smile
It's not that simple just to change a man
Changing a person is not easy
even if you think that you have skill
Even if you think you have the ability to change someone
with disadvantaged hearts
For those with a damaged heart or difficult past
so used some caution when you see him pass
Be cautious when interacting with him
he won't hurt you but his face is sad
He won't harm you, but he is unhappy
and everyday he's breathin through the gills
He is just barely getting by
she's gonna help him now
The woman is going to help him through his struggles
The summer turned into fall
Summer ended and fall began
and they took a little trip to the cape
They went on a small trip to the Cape
and that is where they laid they're bodies down
They laid down together while on the trip
and in the morning when the the sun came up
The next morning when the sun rose
she looked at him just to say
She looked at him and spoke
that she would never go astray
She promised to never leave or stray
it's gonna work out now
Things are finally going to work out
he's not happy by himself
He is not a happy person on his own
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.