He released his first album, entitled "Slim Pickens", in 1999. "When The Sun's Gone Down" followed in 2005.
In August 2006, Langhorne Slim and his then band (The War Eagles) signed to V2 Records, who folded on the deal. The band then signed to Kemado Records and released their only album.
In its December 2008 edition, Paste Magazine named his 2008 solo self-titled album number 14 in its list of 25 best albums of the year. His song "Electric Love Letter" was number 5 on the Rolling Stone editor's top 10 picks. In 2008 Slim and band were a guest act on David Letterman.
In 2009 he released, Be Set Free, which includes guest vocals from Erika Wennerstrom (of Heartless Bastards).
In 2009 the War Eagles welcomed a new upright bass player, Jeff Ratner (succeeding long-time member Paul Defiglia) to join Malachi DeLorenzo (the son of Victor Delorenzo, drummer of the Violent Femmes) on drums and David Moore on keyboard and banjo. The touring band varied, and sometimes included a horn section.
Langhorne sang "God Bless America" for the seventh inning stretch during a Philadelphia Phillies game, and the song "Worries" was featured in a Travelers Insurance commercial. T
Langhorne Slim and his new band, The Law, released "The Way We Move" on June 5, 2012. "The Spirit Moves" followed on August 7, 2015 (via Dualtone Records).
Subsequent solo albums are "Lost At Last Vol. 1" (2017), "Strawberry Mansion" (2021), ...
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Past Lives
Langhorne Slim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never knew the deal or the way it was dealt
I know it was in August and I heard it was hot
I know I got a mother who loves me a lot
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven't I met you before?
When they said that I was dead
And I ain't dead anymore
Maybe I was an outlaw or the law itself
Maybe I was a rich man or a rich man's help
Perhaps I lived in China, perhaps I loved in vain
Maybe I missed the boat but made the train
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven't I met you before?
When they said that I was dead
It wasn't true, I was just dead to you
And I ain't dead, I ain't dead anymore
I wish that I were good, no man, I wish that I were great
I wish that I'd been early more often than late
But nothing lasts forever, maybe that's fate
When you're alive you're alright, when you're dead you're a saint
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven't I met you before?
Oh honey when they said, "Scolnick is dead."
It wasn't true, I was just dead to you
Well, I ain't dead, I ain't dead anymore
The Langhorne Slim song "Past Lives" is about reincarnation and past life regressions. Throughout the song, Langhorne muses on his past lives and how they have affected his present. He begins by saying that he cannot remember being born or how it felt, but he knows that he has a loving mother. Langhorne then poses the question to the listener whether or not they believe in past lives because he feels like he has met them before. He also acknowledges that he was dead to someone, but he is not dead anymore.
As the song progresses, Langhorne speculates what his past lives might have been. He imagines himself as an outlaw, a rich man, someone who missed the boat but made the train, and someone who lived in China and loved in vain. He admits that he wishes he were good or great but that nothing lasts forever, and perhaps that's fate. He finishes the song reiterating that he is not dead, and he has not been truly dead- just dead to someone.
The song's theme of past lives and reincarnation was likely inspired by the artist's interest in metaphysical thought, as he is known for his spirituality and connection to nature. The lyrics are reflective, introspective, and paint a picture of a man trying to make sense of his existence. Langhorne's voice conveys a sense of longing and nostalgia, making the song particularly poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't remember being born, I don't remember how it felt
The artist cannot recall his birth or how it transpired.
I never knew the deal or the way it was dealt
The artist is unaware of the circumstances surrounding his birth.
I know it was in August and I heard it was hot
The artist knows only the month of his birth.
I know I got a mother who loves me a lot
The artist is aware of his mother's love for him.
Do you believe in past lives?
The artist is posing a question about the existence of past lives.
Haven't I met you before?
The artist is questioning if he has met the person before in a past life.
When they said that I was dead, It wasn't true, I was just dead to you
The artist is telling someone that they thought he was dead but he was only gone from their life temporarily.
And I ain't dead anymore
The artist has returned and is not dead.
Maybe I was an outlaw or the law itself
The artist is speculating about what his past life may have been.
Maybe I was a rich man or a rich man's help
The artist is continuing to speculate about his past life.
Perhaps I lived in China, perhaps I loved in vain
The artist is guessing about living in China and loving without success in his past life.
Maybe I missed the boat but made the train
The artist is speculating that he might have missed opportunities but ultimately succeeded in his past life.
I wish that I were good, no man, I wish that I were great
The artist expresses a desire to be better than he currently is.
I wish that I'd been early more often than late
The artist wishes he had been punctual more frequently.
But nothing lasts forever, maybe that's fate
The artist is acknowledging that all good things must come to an end.
When you're alive you're alright, when you're dead you're a saint
The artist comments on how people may view one's character differently when they die.
Oh honey when they said, "Scolnick is dead."
The artist is referencing a specific person, Scolnick, who may have been thought to have died.
Well, I ain't dead, I ain't dead anymore
The artist confirms that he is back and has not died.
Contributed by Victoria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@heatherjones4943
My best friend Patrick Price showed me this song a couple years ago. He passed away about two weeks after that. I often listen to this song and think of how ironic the lyrics are and the timing of it all. RIP Patty I will look for you in the next life!!
@mikehays2483
This album is amazing.
@RorschachFan88
Seen him/them live last year supporting the lumineers, blew me away, never seen a band with so much enthusiasm for music, the place was absolutely jumping! Fantastic musician, who will sadly never be fully appreciated due to mainstream music being all about image! If you haven't seen him live, make it one of your plans for 2014 :)
@kaminky228
Just realized 2014 was 10 years ago now.....
@fromdarknesstolightwithmel9588
I am such a huge fan!!! I love every song you've done!!!
@kckrye
the piano in this is great!
@darthbuddy6357
Still one of my favorite songs
@gabrieledwards3167
Make more songs, I love them all
@colinmcneil595
listend to this whole album with out one skip this is going down in one of my all times favs
@msharialthekri
You're one of the few left who make real raw music.