Light Is a Ghost is the follow up to Brooklyn indie-folk-pop artist Julia W… Read Full Bio ↴Light Is a Ghost is the follow up to Brooklyn indie-folk-pop artist Julia Weldon’s 2008 self-titled debut. Produced by Saul MacWilliams (Ingrid Michaelson, Dan Romer) and featuring Adam Christgau (Sia, Tegan and Sara) on drums, the album showcases Weldon’s storytelling, voice, and unmistakable charisma.

Defined by its brash honesty, Light Is a Ghost is an American album in the truest sense. With an emotional resonance bigger than her own experience, Weldon tells the story of both the harsh city edges and limitless, open spaces. The album captures the feel of the open road on a late summer evening, while ruminating on past relationships that creep into that serenity.

Weldon’s album unfurls as an evolving ride through life, family and relationships, complete with the necessary loss, regret, resentment, and debauchery. With her confident guitar playing and Christgau’s propulsive drumming, Light Is a Ghost is as exciting as it is heartfelt.

Classic while being contemporarily resonant, the album’s twelve tracks draw on everything from indie folk to blues rock, dialoguing with current artists like Bon Iver, Iron and Wine, and Cat Power as well as legends like Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith and Suzanne Vega.

“New York-based singer-songwriter Julia Weldon might be the most soulful singer you’ve never heard of.” -The Advocate

“One of the primary keys to being a good and successful singer/songwriter is the ability to be honest. Stories, emotional arcs, none of this means a thing if it’s clear the artist is just putting on airs for a given occasion, playing something because it might create a cynically predetermined effect on the audience. None of this ever feels like a problem for Julia Weldon.” -The Washington Times

“On her new record ‘Light Is a Ghost,’ singer-songwriter Julia Weldon acts as… every good dream that’s worth preserving after the alarm clock goes off.” -The Deli NYC

You Never Know
Julia Weldon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You never know...
You never know...
You never know...
When it will find you
You never know...
When it will find you

And creep up behind you,

And so the ocean comes
And pulls you under...
Get up, get up, get up!
Above the water

All the people you belong to
Have hands upon your heart
Give up, give up, give up!
What you hold on to?

You never know...
What you might harbour
You never know...
What you might harbour
Underneath all that anger

And so the ocean comes
And pulls you under...
Get up, get up, get up!
Above the water

All the people you belong to
With hands upon your heart
Give up, give up, give up!
What you hold on to?

You never know...
You never know...

Overall Meaning

The song, "You Never Know" by Julia Weldon, is about the uncertainty of life and the unexpected turns that it can take. The repeated phrase "You never know" emphasizes how little control we have over our own fate. The verses of the song depict the image of the ocean, a powerful and unpredictable force, representing the unpredictability of life. The lyrics suggest that life can be overwhelming and may at times pull you down, but you need to get up and above the water to survive. The chorus reminds the listener that the people they love are the ones holding their heart and they might need to let go of something to stay afloat.

The line "What you hold on to?" is particularly significant as it suggests that one must learn to let go of things and people, not just for survival in difficult situations but also to grow and change. The song encourages us to open ourselves up to the unknown, embrace changes and accept that curveballs will be thrown our way. The imagery of the ocean and the repeated mantra of "you never know" evokes a sense of both fear and wonder. Fear of the unknown and the unexpected, but also the wonder of what life has in store for us.

Line by Line Meaning

You never know...
The future is uncertain, and you can never predict what will happen next.

You never know...
Even in the present, things can change quickly and catch you off guard.

You never know...
There are many mysteries in life that we may never truly understand.

When it will find you
No matter what happens, life always finds a way to surprise you.

You never know...
This line emphasizes the idea of uncertainty and unpredictability.

When it will find you
Life can catch you off guard at any moment, so it's important to remain open to new experiences.

And creep up behind you,
This line evokes a sense of fear or anxiety, as if something is following you without your knowledge.

And so the ocean comes
The ocean can represent the vastness and unpredictability of life, as well as a sense of being overwhelmed by external forces.

And pulls you under...
This line implies a loss of control or being overwhelmed by emotions or circumstances.

Get up, get up, get up!
This line suggests the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Above the water
To stay afloat in life, we must learn to rise above our problems and challenges.

All the people you belong to
This line suggests the importance of community and belonging in our lives.

Have hands upon your heart
This line speaks to the idea of emotional support and comfort from loved ones.

Give up, give up, give up!
This line may be interpreted in different ways, such as giving up control, letting go of negative emotions, or surrendering to a higher power.

What you hold on to?
This question encourages introspection and self-reflection about what we value and why.

You never know...
This line resurfaces to remind the listener of the overall theme of the song, the idea of life's unpredictability.

What you might harbour
This line suggests that we may unknowingly harbor negative emotions or thoughts that can hold us back.

You never know...
Reinforcing the theme, this line reminds us to be open to the unknown.

What you might harbour
This line may also refer to the idea of hidden potential or undiscovered talents, which may surprise us.

Underneath all that anger
This line specifically references the emotion of anger, suggesting that there may be deeper emotions or issues hidden beneath its surface.

And so the ocean comes
The ocean resurfaces as a metaphor for life's challenges and obstacles.

And pulls you under...
The line repeats to emphasize the idea of emotionally drowning or being overwhelmed.

Get up, get up, get up!
The repetition of this line serves as a call to action, urging the listener to keep trying and not give up.

Above the water
Finally, the song ends on a hopeful note, encouraging us to stay afloat and rise above life's challenges.

Contributed by Avery F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS