Lewis is a mysterious artist from the early '80s that released only one alb… Read Full Bio ↴Lewis is a mysterious artist from the early '80s that released only one album filled with subtle yet stunning compositions and features prominent use of gentle acoustics and ethereal synths.

In 1983, a man named Lewis recorded an album named L’Amour, which was released on the unknown label R.A.W. And that’s about all we know.

The record itself is a delicate, whispered album, reflecting the way the artist himself – spectral, movie star-like – almost disappears into the grey of the cover. It should come as no surprise that it failed to shout loudly enough to be noticed, another private press album that sank without trace.

The ingredients are simple: smooth synthesizers, feather-light piano, ethereal, occasionally inaudible vocals and the gentle plucking of acoustic guitars. But the effects are arresting: a spine-tingling, sombre album that echoes Springsteen’s Nebraska or Angelo Badalamenti’s atmospheric soundtracks. Later, Arthur Russell would grasp for something similar on the epochal World Of Echo LP.

L’Amour is a true discovery of the blog age, uncovered in an Edmonton flea-market by collector Jon Murphy, passed on to private press fanatic Aaron Levin, shared on the internet and speculated over by lovers of curious LPs. There’s almost no information about Lewis or the album on the internet. There’s precious little on the sleeve: a dedication to Sports Illustrated supermodel Christie Brinkley, a photo credit for Ed Colver, the noted L.A. punk rock photographer, and credits for engineer Bob Kinsey and synth player Philip Lees. All that was known of Lewis is conjecture: a rumor that he was a con artist who fled after not paying for L’Amour’s photo-shoot and a dubious theory that he was not actually of this earth.

When Light In The Attic looked to release the album, they set out to investigate the mystery. They found some answers, but more intrigue too. Colver was able to fill in some blanks. Firstly, Lewis is a pseudonym. The man the photographer met was named Randall Wulff. He stayed in the Beverley Hills Hilton, drove a white convertible Mercedes and dated a girl who looked like a model. He paid for his photo session with Colver with a $250 check, which bounced.

Eventually, the trail led to Alberta, Canada, where that first LP had been found. Liner notes writer Jack Fleischer along with master detective Markus Armstrong found Randall’s nephew, who remembered Randall as a stockbroker. His vague recollections include a visit to Randall’s apartment, with all-white furniture and that beautiful girlfriend in situ. Crucially, he offered another name – another of Randall’s pseudonyms – which led to a Vancouver studio and the revelation that Lewis had recorded three or four albums of “soft religious music” there. Alas, even the new nom de plume led only to dead ends.

Lewis remains a ghost, a total mystery, but the music will be heard. The album is being pressed for the first time in more than 30 years, and widely distributed for the first time ever. Lewis’s royalties will be placed in escrow until he makes himself known. Perhaps you know Lewis. Perhaps Lewis is you. The only certainty is this: Lewis is about to find a whole bunch of new fans.

Even Rainbows Turn Blue
Lewis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aku punya teman
Teman sepermainan
Kemana ada dia selalu ada aku
Dia amat manis
Dan juga baik hati
Dia selalu ada
Waktu untuk membantuku
Namun aku bingung

Ketika dia bilang cinta
Dan dia juga katakan
Tuk ingin jadi kekasihku
Cukuplah saja berteman denganku
Janganlah kau meminta lebih
Ku tak mungkin mencintaimu
Kita berteman saja
Teman tapi mesra
Aku memang suka pada dirimu
Namun aku ada yang punya
Lebih baik kita berteman
Kita berteman saja
Teman tapi mesra
Aku punya teman
Teman sepermainan
Kemana ada dia selalu ada aku
Namun aku bingung
Ketika dia bilang cinta
Dan dia juga katakan
Tuk ingin jadi kekasihku
Cukuplah saja berteman denganku
Janganlah kau meminta lebih
Ku tak mungkin mencintaimu
Kita berteman saja
Teman tapi mesra
Aku memang suka pada dirimu
Namun aku ada yang punya
Lebih baik kita berteman

Kita berteman saja
Teman tapi mesra

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lewis's song Even Rainbows Turn Blue describes a situation where the singer has a friend who is always there for them and is sweet and kind. However, when this friend confesses their love and indicates a desire to be in a romantic relationship, the singer is conflicted. They explain that they like their friend but they already have someone they like more and therefore being just friends is the better option. The title "Even Rainbows Turn Blue" reflects the idea that even happy and beautiful things can sometimes turn sad or difficult.

The song captures the complex emotions that can arise in friendships where one person has romantic feelings and the other person does not. The singer recognizes that their friend's interest in them has changed the dynamic of their relationship but they still value and care for their friend. The lyrics touch on themes of honesty, friendship, and the difficulties that can arise when romantic feelings are not mutual.

Line by Line Meaning

Aku punya teman
I have a friend

Teman sepermainan
A playmate friend

Kemana ada dia selalu ada aku
Wherever they go, I am always there with them

Dia amat manis
They are very sweet

Dan juga baik hati
And also kind-hearted

Dia selalu ada
They are always there

Waktu untuk membantuku
To help me when I need it

Namun aku bingung
But I am confused

Ketika dia bilang cinta
When they say they love me

Dan dia juga katakan
And they also say

Tuk ingin jadi kekasihku
They want to be my lover