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
Winter in the Hamptons
Josh Rouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we go, singing our songs with our soul
The winter has gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Friday night, we're so uptight we get stoned
Sit in the Hamptons, it is too cold
Spring is finally here and we're so well dressed
It's a talent and it's our style
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Never know, Americans seem such a bore
embarrassed and still we are hanging on
We have stayed too long
And we'll fly, take a trip, see the Euro sites
Our money is gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Sick of living here, we're such a mess
Cause the government, they're all liars
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
The opening line of "Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah" is neither here nor there, yet it sets the tone for the entire song. It is reminiscent of the scat singing style of jazz music, suggesting that the song may not necessarily be about the lyrics themselves, but rather the mood it creates. The song is called "Winter in the Hamptons," yet the lyrics seem to indicate a longing to leave and go elsewhere. The first verse speaks of a departed winter season and a sense of not knowing where the singer belongs. The line "Here we go, singing our songs with our soul" is an indication that the singer and their companions are trying to find their place in the world, searching for a sense of belonging, and using music and singing to help them along the way.
The second verse speaks about being "so uptight we get stoned," suggesting that the stress and pressure of living in a place like the Hamptons takes its toll. The line "We have stayed too long" is repeated, driving home the idea that it's time for a change. The mention of being "so well dressed" in the springtime adds to the sense of pretense and excess that can be found in high-end vacation spots like the Hamptons.
The final verse suggests a desire to escape to Europe, leaving behind the perceived boredom and lies found in America. The line "Our money is gone, where do we belong" further drives home the notion that money does not bring happiness or a sense of belonging. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah," leaving the listener with a sense of contemplation and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go, singing our songs with our soul
We are expressing our thoughts and feelings through our music
The winter has gone, where do we belong
As winter ends, we feel displaced and uncertain of our place in the world
We have stayed too long
We have been in the same place for too much time and need to move on
Friday night, we're so uptight we get stoned
On Friday nights, we become tense and anxious and turn to drugs to ease our nerves
Sit in the Hamptons, it is too cold
We are in the Hamptons but the weather is not favorable for us
Spring is finally here and we're so well dressed
As spring arrives, we take pride in our fashion-conscious appearance
It's a talent and it's our style
Our fashion sense is both innate and cultivated
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
We need to prepare for the weather because rain is expected
Never know, Americans seem such a bore
We are not sure, but we find Americans to be uninteresting
embarrassed and still we are hanging on
Despite our feelings of shame and awkwardness, we persist
And we'll fly, take a trip, see the Euro sites
We plan to travel and visit famous European landmarks
Our money is gone, where do we belong
We have depleted our finances and are unsure of where we should go
Sick of living here, we're such a mess
We are fed up with living in our current location and feel disorganized
Cause the government, they're all liars
We lack confidence in the government's honesty and integrity
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
This is a nonsensical refrain in the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL TASHIAN, JOAH ROUSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laura Fanfarillo
Here we go, singing our songs with our soul
The winter has gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Friday night, we're so uptight we get stoned
Sit in the Hamptons, it is too cold
We have stayed too long
Spring is finally here and we're so well dressed
It's a talent and it's our style
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Never know, Americans seem such a bore
embarrassed and still we are hanging on
We have stayed too long
And we'll fly, take a trip, see the Euro sites
Our money is gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Sick of living here, we're such a mess
Cause the government, they're all liars
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
Laura Fanfarillo
Here we go, singing our songs with our soul
The winter has gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Friday night, we're so uptight we get stoned
Sit in the Hamptons, it is too cold
We have stayed too long
Spring is finally here and we're so well dressed
It's a talent and it's our style
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Bah, lah dot bah, bah lah ba lah bah
Never know, Americans seem such a bore
embarrassed and still we are hanging on
We have stayed too long
And we'll fly, take a trip, see the Euro sites
Our money is gone, where do we belong
We have stayed too long
Sick of living here, we're such a mess
Cause the government, they're all liars
So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds
161uptowngirl
I want the hard copy of this album for my collection!! So good !
Ross Heathorn
Great song ain't heard it in years. Computer broke that it was on and forgot about it. Suddenly remembered it and it's as good as it was. Respect josh rouse thanx for the inspiration much love. Sad eyes is top tune to
Isa Bornau
Love this song 🌹🙏
John Davies
Fantastic tune
zeynep taskin
Thanks for making such a nice song. It is a FACT that Hamptons has a - two - face living condition for people in summer and for people who stay there all year round. People cannot survive by themselves. Thanks to the food pantries, they can eat and survive. Summer is different with lots of luxury, glamorous galas and fun for the rich.
Josiah Krueger
"So put on your hat because the forecast is rain clouds" "And I'll rise to greet you In the morning time" [+_=;
sean o'driscoll
Definitely Morrissey cadence and lyrics
Geraldo Lopes
Smell like the Smiths songs and i like so much
Jorge Cerejeira
He listened too much Smiths, maybe he isn't aware of that. I miss the Smiths; JR can't fill that feeling.