Lee Dewyze attended an alternative high school but states that music and his teachers were his inspiration to go back to his studies. Before Idol, DeWyze worked as a paint salesclerk. His musical influences include Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, and Simon & Garfunkel.
DeWyze's career began when he was 16 or 17, after he met Louis Svitek, owner of WuLi Records, and Ryan McGuire of the Virginia Gentlemen. Lee DeWyze auditioned in Chicago for the ninth season of American Idol with the song "Ain't No Sunshine", which was also covered by Kris Allen. During Hollywood week, his group included Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox, who all made it into the Top 24. During the first week, he performed "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol, which was praised by Simon Cowell. The next week he sang "Lips of an Angel", which did not get the same response as his first performance but was good enough to get him into the top 16. His third song, "Fireflies", came as a surprise and was generally liked by the viewers, critics, and the judges.
After making it to the Top 12, DeWyze performed Beast of Burden during The Rolling Stones week. For the Top 11's theme, Billboard #1 Hits, DeWyze performed The Letter by the The Box Tops. The following week DeWyze performed Treat Her Like a Lady impressing mentor Usher and all four judges including Cowell who said that "This is the night that your life may have changed forever." For the Top 9 week Lee performed Hey Jude by The Beatles. His closest friend is his fellow roomate, Andrew Garcia.
Beast Of Burden
Lee DeWyze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My back is broad, but it's a hurting
All I want is for you to make love to me
I'll never be your beast of burden
I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is for you to make love to me
Am I hard enough, Am I rough enough
I'll never be your beast of burden
So let's go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio
Come on baby make sweet love to me
Am I hard enough, Am I rough enough
Am I rich enough, I'm not to blind to see
Oh little sister
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Solo
You're a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on baby please please please
I'll tell ya
You can put me out... On the street
You can put me out... With no shoes on my feet
But you can put me out, put me out, put me out of misery
All your sickness, I can suck it up
Throw it all at me, I can shrug it off
There's one thing baby, that I don't understand
You keep on telling me, I ain't your kind of man
Ain't I rough enough
Ain't I tough enough
Ain't I rich enough, in love enough
Ooh, ooh, please
I'll never be your beast of burden
I'll never be your beast of burden
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I'll never be your beast of burden
I've walked for miles and my feet are hurtin
All I want is you to make love to me
I don't need no beast of burden
I need no fussin
I need no nursin
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
The lyrics of Lee DeWyze's song "Beast of Burden" revolve around the idea of being fed up with being used and taken for granted, and the desire for a more equal and reciprocal relationship. The song starts with the singer declaring that he will never be anyone's "beast of burden," meaning he will not give his all to someone who does not reciprocate the same energy. He's tired of being used and left to suffer the consequences, and all he desires is for his partner to show him some love.
Throughout the song, the singer poses the question of whether he's hard enough, rough enough, and rich enough for his partner, and he admits that he's not too blind to see that he is being taken advantage of. However, he's not appealing to the idea of being seen as a savior or being used as a pawn, but instead just wants to be loved and appreciated for who he is. The singer ends with the repeated chorus of "I'll never be your beast of burden" and emphasizes that he doesn't need fussing or nursing but only wants an equal partnership.
Overall, Lee DeWyze's "Beast of Burden" is a song about relationships-centered around the need for equality and respect. It comes as a reminder to everyone who feels they are being taken advantage of in their relationships that they deserve better, and they should never settle for being anyone's "beast of burden."
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never be your beast of burden
I won't allow myself to become your source of constant trouble
My back is broad, but it's a hurting
I can handle a lot, but it's causing me pain
All I want is for you to make love to me
I simply desire physical intimacy with you
I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting
I've come a long way and now I'm physically tired
Am I hard enough, Am I rough enough
Do I have the necessary strength and toughness?
Am I rich enough, I'm not to blind to see
Do I have enough money? I'm not completely oblivious
So let's go home and draw the curtains
Let's go somewhere private and intimate
Music on the radio
Background music for our lovemaking
Come on baby make sweet love to me
Let's get intimate and romantic
Oh little sister
A term of endearment or just a playful nickname
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
A compliment to her physical features
Solo
Instrumental interlude
You're a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Reinforcing how attractive she is
Come on baby please please please
Asking for her affection
You can put me out... On the street
You could kick me out and leave me homeless
You can put me out... With no shoes on my feet
You could throw me out without my belongings
But you can put me out, put me out, put me out of misery
If you don't want me, don't prolong my suffering
All your sickness, I can suck it up
I can take on your emotional pain
Throw it all at me, I can shrug it off
No matter what you say or do, I won't be affected
There's one thing baby, that I don't understand
I'm confused by something you keep saying
You keep on telling me, I ain't your kind of man
You keep insisting I'm not the right person for you
Ain't I rough enough
Am I not tough or rugged enough?
Ain't I tough enough
Am I not capable of handling tough situations?
Ain't I rich enough, in love enough
Do I not have enough money or love for you?
Ooh, ooh, please
Pleading for a chance to prove my worth
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I will never be your burden or source of distress
I've walked for miles and my feet are hurtin
I've traveled a long distance and now I'm in pain
I don't need no beast of burden
I don't want to be a liability or an inconvenience
I need no fussin
I don't need any unnecessary attention or drama
I need no nursin
I don't need anyone to take care of me
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I stand by my decision to never be your burden
Contributed by Gianna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BAHulvey
His version will from now on be my favorite of this song, fantastic!!!
Mikayla Franklin
He's definately one of my favorites! There's just something about his voice that I absolutely love!
moverandshaker70
Sometimes you don't have to be outrageous to be incredible. LOVED it!
KristinaSchiltz
LOVE this guy. He's amazing... and gorgeous
Victoria Jade
Damn! I just shaved my legs and his voice game me major goosebumps..
claraaa12
I loved it! I don't get what the judges expect from him. If you listen to his albums this is exactly how his music sounds. I can't wait to get this on iTunes! Love ya LJD ;)
penguinlips85
Lee is amazing! I wish I was American so I could vote for him!!!!
camille4004
just love him!
jibikao
I am a guy too.. Lee is, indeed, the cutest on this season! Love his voice.. I know this is not the moment that Simon is looking for, this song is so relaxing.. and personal to Lee's fans!! I love this one a lot as he can "own" the song and turn it into his style.. awesome!
nsynchristine
This was the performance that hooked me onto Lee faster than anything else.