Jansen was so close to giving it up before she even began. But a year after deciding to give music a try she tried to make waves with advance copies of her EP Trauma (released summer 2006). June 12, 2009, she released her second EP, Bells, featuring single Single Girls, accompanied by a music video.
In the U.S., Jansen is a fixture in the constellation of artists associated with Los Angeles nightclub The Hotel Café — a musical haven, creative incubator, and ultimately, national launching pad for such confessional-minded artists as Sara Bareilles, Priscilla Ahn, and Joshua Radin, whom Jansen toured with in 2008 and in 2011. Jansen’s songs were used in various television shows on MTV and ABC.
Jansen, being half American, half Dutch, was invited to The Netherlands in 2009 for a series of appearances, which led to her signing with Universal Music. Debut album Bells (composed of Jansen’s two previously released EP’s 2007’s Trauma and 2009’s Single Girls, plus “Use Somebody”), has already gone platinum in Jansen’s native Holland and reached a #1 position on iTunes. Propelled by “Single Girls” and a stunning cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” which has spent more than 6 months lodged in the Top 25 on the Dutch singles chart.
Jansen hit the road in Europe with her pal William Fitzsimmons as a member of his band as well as his support act. In 2010 she sold out both headline tours of her own in The Netherlands, after which she toured in Germany, Austria, UK as fans spread the word.
The year 2011 was yet another exciting year, with Jansen’s debut album Bells being released in the US, the rest of Europe and China, with tours set up on these continents as well.
Jansen is currently working on her next album.
Use Somebody
Laura Jansen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always looking down and all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
And how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you oh oh oh
Someone like you oh oh oh
Off in the night
While you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me oh oh oh
Someone like me oh oh oh
Yeah
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready now
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready now
Oh oh oh
Someone like me oh oh oh
I've been roaming around
Always looking down and all I see
Laura Jansen's song Use Somebody is a melancholic and reflective piece of music that personifies one's loneliness and longing for true companionship. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness, where the singer has been wandering aimlessly around the streets, struggling to connect with people. Jansen sings, "I've been roaming around, Always looking down, and all I see, painted faces fill the places I can't reach." This line expresses how the singer feels surrounded by people but unable to connect with them on a deeper level.
The chorus "You know that I could use somebody, Someone like you, And all you know, And how you speak, Countless lovers undercover of the street" describes the deep longing the singer has for someone who understands her and can relate to her. She feels that no matter how much she tries, she always fails to connect with people. She yearns for someone who sees her the way she sees herself, someone who knows her and understands her without having to explain.
The final part of the song, "Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep, waging wars to shake the poet and the beat," depicts the singer's struggle to find her place in the world. She is fighting the internal wars of emotions and feelings. She is trying to break free from the monotony of her life and make herself noticed. She hopes that someone will recognize her and see her for who she is.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been roaming around
I have been wandering aimlessly without any purpose or direction.
Always looking down and all I see
I am constantly focused on the ground and what's immediately in front of me, rather than the bigger picture.
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
There are people around me, but they are superficial and distant, not interested in truly connecting.
You know that I could use somebody
I am feeling lonely and in need of someone to be there for me emotionally.
Someone like you
I am looking for someone who is genuine and caring, who can understand and empathize with me.
And all you know
I want someone who is knowledgeable and wise, who I can learn from and grow with.
And how you speak
I am drawn to someone who can communicate effectively and eloquently, who can express their thoughts and feelings clearly.
Countless lovers undercover of the street
There are many people who are hiding their true selves and desires, pretending to be someone they are not.
Off in the night
While others are out enjoying the nightlife, I am alone and isolated.
While you live it up I'm off to sleep
While others are having fun and enjoying life, I am tired and ready to rest.
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I am struggling to find my creative spark and inspiration, fighting against the odds to create something meaningful.
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I want my actions and accomplishments to be seen and appreciated by others.
Someone like me oh oh oh
I may not be perfect, but I am worthy of love and companionship, just like anyone else.
Yeah
An affirmation of the previous statement.
I'm ready, I'm ready
I am mentally and emotionally prepared to start a new chapter in my life.
I'm ready now
I am not going to wait any longer for someone to come into my life; I am ready to take action.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Caleb Followill, Ivan Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJ Siwan (SWAINZ)
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody yeah
You know that I could use somebody yeah
Someone like you and all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
I know that I could use somebody yeah
You know that I could use somebody yeah
Someone like you whoaa ow whoaa ow (2x)
Off in the night while you live it up
I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice yeaah
I hope it's gonna make you notice yeah
Someone like me ohh whooaa oh
Someone like me oooh whoaaa whoow
I'm ready now (repeat)
Someone like you
You know that I could use somebody yeeaaah
You know that I could use somebody yeaeah
whooa oh
I've been roaming around up
Looking down at all I see
Read more: Laura Jansen - Use Somebody Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Janine Zoutman
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
And all you know
And how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you, oho, oho
Someone like you, oho, oho
Off in the night
While you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me, oho, oho
Someone like me, oho, oho
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready
Now
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready
Now
Oho, oho
Someone like me
Oho, oho
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all that I see
Leonora
Beautiful song <3 this version is way better than the original, love it!
Prabphai Buranabanyat
Really love this song and your voice!
kookie's cream
I love her voice..
Annette Schmidt
My father was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2009. One of his dreams was to go skydiving. In august on 2009 he fulfilled this dream and it was videotaped. The song in the background of the video was Use Somebody! The song brings me to tears every time. I can see him smiling from ear to ear and flying in the sky:) He is still fighting strong but is no longer walking, talking, eating and requires complete care. It is great to have a beautiful song like this to remind you of happier times!! This version is incredible! Live everyday to the fullest!!!
Adarkwa Joseph
Aha
Plymouth Wanderer
Bless
Arandir Calheiros
Be strong always, Annette! To love is to fight to be as high as you can! And to win is to learn lo smile even when you have all the right reasons no too!
Mehdi Razi
stay strong
Rotloch Studio
you almost made me cry. Be strong, Annette!
Soraya Marques
linda canção.. linda voz!