Joy Zipper is an indie pop duo from Long Island, New York, made up of Tabit… Read Full Bio ↴Joy Zipper is an indie pop duo from Long Island, New York, made up of Tabitha Tindale and Vincent Cafiso. Partners in songwriting, as well as in real life, the duo have been crafting summery, ethereal dream pop since the late 1990s. The band is named for Tindale's mother.

Their songs are underpinned with darker scarred lyrics (suggested in interviews to have been inspired by the death of Cafiso's father) causing them to be famously compared to, 'a candy apple with a razor blade inside'.

Musical influences of the band vary from 1960s rock outfits The Beatles, The Velvet Underground and most associated, The Beach Boys, to early 1990s noise rock pioneers My Bloody Valentine, and The Breeders.

The single "Baby You Should Know" has been featured on Fox Television's The O.C. and "Go Tell the World" was featured in an ad for Nike Soccer and in a season two episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Joy Zipper covered the Pixies "Wave Of Mutilation" for American Laundromat Records compilation "Dig For Fire - a tribute to Pixies" (2007).

In 2008 Joy Zipper covered the title track for the American Laundromat Records produced Cure tribute "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure". The Wedding Present, The Submarines, Dean & Britta and Tanya Donelly also appear on the project.

The Power Of Alan Watts
Joy Zipper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Alan Watts is dead
He made me feel so whole
He would say, you gotta find your own way
He wrote so many books
To name a few I cannot say
They say, you gotta find your own way

Alan Watts

Let's make the best out of this one
You know what I'm saying
Worry about the rest, after we're dead

Now that I've come this far
I'll have to do it on my own
I guess it's true, you gotta find your own way

Alan Watts

Let's make the best out of this one

You know what I'm saying
Worry about the rest, after we're dead

Overall Meaning

In "The Power of Alan Watts," Joy Zipper pays tribute to the late philosopher and writer, Alan Watts. She opens the song with the poignant line, "Alan Watts is dead," acknowledging the fact that the man who inspired so many is no longer with us. Despite his passing, however, she credits Watts with giving her a sense of wholeness, and quotes his advice to "find your own way." Watts wrote numerous books on Zen philosophy and has been credited with popularizing Eastern philosophy and spirituality in the West.

The chorus of the song repeats Watts' message to make the best of our time here on earth, urging us not to worry about the future after we're gone. This sentiment is echoed in the second verse, as Joy Zipper declares that she has come this far and must carry on alone. It's a bittersweet reminder that although Watts may no longer be there to guide us, we can still draw inspiration from his teachings and find our own way through life.

Line by Line Meaning

Alan Watts is dead
Although Alan Watts is no longer alive, his philosophical teachings remain influential.

He made me feel so whole
Alan Watts' insights gave my life a newfound sense of completeness.

He would say, you gotta find your own way
One of Alan Watts' main ideas was the importance of self-discovery and individuality.

He wrote so many books
Alan Watts was a prolific author, sharing his ideas through his written works.

To name a few I cannot say
There are too many of Alan Watts' works to list off, but they are all worth exploring.

They say, you gotta find your own way
The idea of finding one's own path is a recurring theme in Alan Watts' teachings.

Let's make the best out of this one
We should strive to live life to the fullest and make the most of our time here on earth.

You know what I'm saying
Do you understand and agree with my philosophy?

Worry about the rest, after we're dead
We shouldn't fret too much about what happens after we die, but focus on the present moment instead.

Now that I've come this far
After following some of Alan Watts' advice, I have progressed in my personal development.

I'll have to do it on my own
Despite the guidance of others, ultimately we must walk our own paths and take responsibility for our lives.

I guess it's true, you gotta find your own way
The concept of self-discovery that Alan Watts preached still holds true to me after my personal experiences.

Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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