The Ken Oak Band, comprised of two members (Ken Oak; Cello/Vocals/Guitar, Ed Gorski; Guitar/Vocal), is a band based primarily around the LA area. With an independent label, they have toured the country with self-booked shows, and currently has two albums for sale: Symposium and From Vienna to Venice.
Ken, the cellist, is the lead vocalist, accompanied by Ed's soothing harmonies and mellow guitar riffs. Ken's heartfelt lyrics and pleasant voice are very well complemented by the usage of the cello as a bass instrument. The smooth sound of the cello helps to encompass the guitar and vocals, and creates a very relaxed kind of music. This is not to say that they cannot play with energy; as clearly illustrated in "What You Want" (Track 6, Symposium), they are able to mix energy with their own style to create a very unique sound.
The band has gone through a name change, and now perform under the name of "Oak and Gorski." The band has released their third CD under this new name, titled Good Advice, Bad Advice.
More can be found at their myspace or homepage.
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kenoakband
band site: www.kenoakband.com
Live For Myself
Ken Oak Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But i know what you mean to me
It's nearly our destiny
There's no one else around
I still have fantasies
Of having you next to me
There is no vacancy in
How i feel right now
Words etched in stone
Clearly not my own
Do you believe me now
We all have a story we can't tell
I still don't know mine that well
Tonight i'll stay in this hotel
Tomorrow i'll live for myself
I can't give you everything
But i know what my life is worth
I won't take just anything
This love will not allow
Revealing the best in me
No need for questioning
So don't keep on thinking things
That you can't say out loud
Silence is home when you're not alone
Well can you hear me now?
We all have a story we can't tell
I still don't know mine that well
Tonight i'll stay in this hotel
Tomorrow i'll live for myself
Who knows how long it's gonna take me to figure out
Where i belong and what it takes to settle down
Is this a dream in my head or is it all that's left?
Can't get it off my chest
So i'll keep it to myself
We all have a story we can't tell
I still don't know mine that well
Tonight i'll stay in this hotel
Tomorrow i'll live for myself
The Ken Oak Band's song "Live for Myself" explores the internal turmoil of someone who is trying to figure out what they really want in life. The first verse describes the singer's intense feelings for someone else, which they can't fully express or act upon. The line "there is no vacancy in how I feel right now" suggests that the singer is completely consumed by their emotions for this person, but knows that they can't act on them for some reason. The lyrics also mention "words etched in stone," suggesting that the singer may be struggling with past traumas or insecurities that are preventing them from pursuing their desires.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the line "we all have a story we can't tell," seems to suggest that everyone has secrets or hidden desires that they can't express to others. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer asserting their independence and insisting that they won't settle for anything less than true love. The line "revealing the best in me" suggests that the singer believes that they can only be their true selves when they are with someone who truly loves and accepts them.
The final verse of the song explores themes of uncertainty and self-doubt, with the singer wondering if they will ever truly belong anywhere or find what they are looking for. The line "can't get it off my chest, so I'll keep it to myself" suggests that the singer is grappling with some deep-seated issues that they can't fully articulate or share with others. The final lines of the song, "tonight I'll stay in this hotel, tomorrow I'll live for myself," suggest that the singer has decided to take control of their own life and pursue their own happiness, rather than being held back by others or by their own fears and doubts.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't see everything
I am limited in my perception of the world around me
But i know what you mean to me
Despite my limitations, I understand the value of our relationship
It's nearly our destiny
I believe that we are meant to be together
There's no one else around
We are in a situation where it is just us, and no one else
I still have fantasies
I often imagine being with you
Of having you next to me
I crave physical intimacy with you
There is no vacancy in
My heart is full of love for you
How i feel right now
My emotions for you are strong and present
Words etched in stone
There are things that are set in place and cannot be changed
Clearly not my own
These words are not authentic to me
Do you believe me now
Can you trust that I am being truthful with you?
We all have a story we can't tell
Everyone has secrets they keep to themselves
I still don't know mine that well
I am still discovering who I am
Tonight i'll stay in this hotel
I am taking a break from my regular life to focus on myself
Tomorrow i'll live for myself
I am committed to making decisions that are best for me
I can't give you everything
I have limitations and cannot provide everything you may want
But i know what my life is worth
I understand the value of my own life and well-being
I won't take just anything
I am not willing to settle for less than what I deserve
This love will not allow
My love for you will not compromise my own happiness and fulfillment
Revealing the best in me
Our relationship brings out the best in me
No need for questioning
I am confident in my feelings and do not doubt our connection
So don't keep on thinking things
Do not ruminate on thoughts that are unproductive or damaging
That you can't say out loud
Focus on communicating openly and honestly with me
Silence is home when you're not alone
Sometimes being quiet and introspective can be comforting
Well can you hear me now?
Are you listening to what I am trying to communicate?
Who knows how long it's gonna take me to figure out
I do not know how long it will take me to find my path
Where i belong and what it takes to settle down
I am still searching for a sense of home and stability
Is this a dream in my head or is it all that's left?
I am questioning whether my desires are realistic
Can't get it off my chest
I feel burdened by my own thoughts and emotions
So i'll keep it to myself
I will not voice my concerns or struggles to others
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kamilm666
great voice, great song, you're the best
lorena7318
Lindo!
Barry Teevan
very well written and beatifuly performed well done
Franziska
perfect and beautiful ; )nice voice!
Eleanore McCook
beautiful. loved it.
honeybellE24
your gruff voice adds a certain dimension to this song. it has made this song so much more powerful-i think. i listened to the original and ken oak's voice is a little bit smoother with less pain/experience in it. yes, that's what you added to this song, you added some sorrow to it. i wish you have a CD!!
c1r2b33
i love ur musical style :D
Dome Nico
compliments, you have indeed a particular voice... Nico *****
grazingbuffalo
really nice cover, could you give me the chords and/or tabs?
jrome11983
hell yea! This is awesome!