Leith Ross’s debut EP Motherwell is an incredibly honest and intimate collection of songs. The music was inspired by their own coming of age story, and written in hopes of providing the soundtrack to a shaping moment for someone else. Motherwell was humbly recorded live off the floor in one afternoon with college mates, and released in October 2020 on Birthday Cake.
Songs from Ross’s debut EP have been played on CBC Radio 2 as well as editorial playlists on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. The EP received critical acclaim from Exclaim!, Stylus Magazine, Red Guitar Music, and indie blog If It’s Too Loud.
“The phrase "wise beyond their years" implies that young people don't experience the world as deeply or intellectually as older people, but the wisdom that Ross applies to their music pierces on each song.” - Exclaim!
As they transition into the next phase of life, Leith Ross is using their new music to dive deeper into themes of identity, finding a sense of self, and growing into understanding one’s relationship with the world around them. With plans to share more with the world in the second half of 2021. Leith Ross will embark on their debut international tour in spring of 2022, supporting management and label mates The Bros. Landreth across the UK and Europe.
'Tommy’
Leith Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I came in running with my brother in tow
We had dirt on our knees, climbing on his feet to show him
He hardly spoke and he cheated at poker If someone got angry, he'd crack a joke
It didn't always go over but the kids would laugh Then he'd play in the corner till he closed the gap
Oh Tommy I love that one,
You used to sing it when you were young Play it again my love
For the kids to remember when they grow up
A house full of instruments, now safely with his kids
And his music in my bones and in my body when I was built
Oh Tommy I love that one,
You used to sing it when you were young Play it again my love
For the kids to remember when they grow up
Tommy I love that one,
You used to sing it when you were young Play it again my love
For the kids to remember us
The song "Tommy" by Leith Ross is an ode to the singer's grandfather, who is remembered as a strong, tough man with a love of stories, poems, and dirty jokes. The singer recalls running to him with her brother, eager to show him the dirt on their knees from climbing on his feet. Despite his quiet nature and tendency to cheat at poker, Tommy was skilled at making the kids around him laugh with his jokes and playing music in the corner until he connected with those around him.
The singer expresses her love and admiration for her grandfather and his musical legacy, singing that his music is in her bones and in her body. She misses him and reminisces about singing out of time with him, with his unfinished words echoing in her memory. In the end, she urges Tommy to play his music again, not only for her but for the children to remember when they grow up.
The lyrics of "Tommy" paint a vivid picture of a beloved grandfather figure, one who was full of life and joy despite his tough exterior. The song is a testament to the power of music in connecting people and evoking shared memories. The repetition of the lines "Oh Tommy I love that one / You used to sing it when you were young" underscores the singer's nostalgia and longing for a time when her grandfather was still with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Strong as an ox, he was tough as a bull
Tommy was physically strong and resilient, like an ox or bull.
He had stories and poems and dirty jokes
Tommy was a good storyteller and had a sense of humor, but he also had a bit of a dirty mind.
I came in running with my brother in tow
The singer and their brother arrived in a hurry, with the brother being led along by the singer.
We had dirt on our knees, climbing on his feet to show him
The artist and their brother had been playing outside and had dirt on their knees. They climbed up onto Tommy's feet in order to show him something.
He hardly spoke and he cheated at poker
Tommy was not very talkative, and he also had a tendency to cheat at poker.
If someone got angry, he'd crack a joke
Tommy used humor to defuse tense situations; even if not everyone found it funny, it helped to break the tension.
It didn't always go over but the kids would laugh
Sometimes Tommy's jokes fell flat with the adults, but the kids always found them funny.
Then he'd play in the corner till he closed the gap
After telling a joke, Tommy would retreat to play music in the corner, which helped to bridge any awkwardness caused by the joke not being well-received.
Oh Tommy I love that one,
The artist expresses their admiration for Tommy's music and songs.
You used to sing it when you were young
The artist remembers Tommy singing this particular song when he was younger.
Play it again my love
The singer asks Tommy to play the song again, in order for the children of the family to hear it and remember Tommy.
For the kids to remember when they grow up
The reason for playing the song again is to create a lasting memory for the children, so that they will remember their time with Tommy when they get older.
I miss my grandfather, the way that we were
The singer feels a sense of loss for Tommy, who was their grandfather and with whom they had a close relationship.
Singing out of time cause he never finishes words
Tommy had a unique singing style that involved not finishing all his words, which added to the charm of his performances.
A house full of instruments, now safely with his kids
Tommy owned many musical instruments, which are now in the hands of his children, providing a legacy of his love for music.
And his music in my bones and in my body when I was built
The artist feels a strong connection to Tommy through his music, which they feel is a part of them since birth.
For the kids to remember us
The artist wants the song to be played for the purpose of remembering not just Tommy, but also their own relationship with him.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leith Ross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@averagechick1921
I'm tearing up... this is gonna sound crazy, but I really needed this. All the nostalgia and comfort of growing up in the 90s and family parties without the sentimental heartache of my own family's home videos-- loved ones lost, etc. Thank you so much Leith <3 please make music forever.
@andyandro
this song is exactly what nostalgia, remembrance and warmth feels like
@Darouchi
Your music is a warm breath across the coldness of Fall. It has a
certain melancholy which is never somber nor sad but carry the prime
nostalgia of a careless haiku. It's well chiseled and deserves to be
spread all over. Like says the title of my favourite song from The Pastels :"Thank you for being you"
@tropialex
I'm so happy I discovered your music. You are a true artist. I hope lots of people get to hear the beauty you create. Never sell out!
@anakarolinefreitasfernande4161
My grandfather passed away last year, was like my whole world just caved in. I really miss my grandfather and I’m gonna love him for the rest of my life, I’m never gonna forget the incredible person he was!
Miss you so much, vovô Luiz
@yeyeyeyeye2377
I found this song when my grandfather died, he was alot like your Tommy, and I sing this whenever I miss him. Thank you so much for this kindness.
@janaediggins2973
If this doesn’t make y’all cry idk what else to say 😭🤚
@TheAakshi07
"A house full of instruments, now safely with his kids
And his music in my bones and in my body when I was built" - 😭❤️
@poeticpotato
Beautifully made. Both the song and the video. Here I am, crying, mourning someone I hadn't known of. Fantastic job, through and through
@mycolitisischronic
I literally listened to this for the first time two nights ago and I sobbed my eyes out, time to do it again