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.
Find Your Way
Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In "Find Your Way", Lewis sings of the struggles and challenges faced by the human spirit. The opening lines about mourning for the dead by the waters could be interpreted in many ways, but likely reflect a sense of loss and sorrow for those who have been lost to war or tragedy. The mention of foreign soil and the realization that more men were needed than could be given speaks to the futility of war and the inevitability of loss. The imagery of the ravaged rooms and greedy dogs tearing at the roots could represent not just physical destruction, but the emotional and psychological trauma that can come with conflict and struggle.
As the song continues, the lyrics turn inward, focusing on the internal battles we all face. The line "here you are, hiding from abuse, while the world moves on without you" speaks to the sense of isolation and helplessness that can come with personal struggle. Everyone experiences times when they feel overwhelmed or powerless, and the idea of the world moving on without us can be crushing. The idea of "wanting more" and the scales betraying us speaks to the constant struggle for balance in life, whether that be between work and leisure, our health and our indulgences, or any number of other factors. Ultimately, the line "numbered days, forced to choose" speaks to the fleeting nature of our time on earth and the sense of urgency that can arise when we realize how little time we have.
Line by Line Meaning
By the waters, mourning for the dead,
In this place near the water, we mourn for those who have passed away.
this foreign soil, it takes more men than we could give.
This new and unfamiliar land demands more from us than we can offer.
the quiet rooms all have been ravaged through, and greedy dogs tear at the roots.
Even the peaceful places have been destroyed, and those who seek power strip away the foundations that support us.
so here you are, hiding from abuse, while the world moves on without you.
You find yourself hiding from those who would harm you, while the rest of the world continues to progress without concern for your struggles.
wanting more, the scales betray you.
Although you desire more, the balance of the world betrays you and prevents you from achieving your goals.
numbered days, forced to choose.
You are aware that your time is limited, and must make choices in order to make the most of it.
cruel fate, you brought me here, an arrow to the heel, what a funny way to disappear.
You feel as though fate has brought you to this difficult place, and you can't help but find irony in the way you may ultimately leave it.
so here you are, hiding from abuse, while the world moves on without you.
Even though you hide from danger and abuse, the world continues to turn without regard for your safety or well-being.
wanting more, the scales betray you.
Your desire for more is not enough to overcome the forces that work against you.
numbered days, forced to choose.
With a limited amount of time, you must make difficult decisions that could shape the rest of your life.
Contributed by Jake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-bk5xs9sh5s
Who's listening in 2024?❤🎉
@dlfields8429
me 3-18-24 and its still as good as the first time I heard it
@ThatGirl551
03/23/2024-Guilty. 😊
@nanoa32
Mmmm memories 🥰🥰🥰
@Simplek1593
𝓕𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝔂 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓼❤
@monteseals5395
I'm wit u, music for the soul.
@Taylo.rmarieeee
2024 anyone?
@dontabaltimore1974
Me
@chrisfikes4876
Me
@bernarderston5289
Yes ! Still have the original cd !