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.
Like To See You Again
Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pulling me around
Says she'll be your friend
Just don't make a sound
Something in her
She's all that
The pot that she stirs
But she won't look back
I won't get lost in misunderstood
Looking back on way back when
I'll be ready for when I see you again
There she goes, she takes one look
One last glance, my soul she took
Take me away, I promise I'll be good
I won't get lost in misunderstood
Looking back on way back when
I'll be ready for when I see you again
There she goes, she takes one look
One last glance, my soul she took
And when you go, will you think of me?
In your mind, will I cross that street?
Leave this on when you go to sleep?
Dream of me, like your so discrete?
Looking back on way back when
I'll be ready for when I see you again
There she goes, she takes one look
One last glance, my soul she took
Looking back on way back when
(Take me away, I promise I'll be good)
I'll be ready for when I see you again
(I won't get lost in misunderstood)
There she goes, she takes one look
(Take me away, I promise I'll be good)
One last glance, my soul she took
(I won't get lost in misunderstood)
The song "Like to See You Again" by Lewis is a heartfelt reflection on the pain and longing that can come with a broken relationship. The lyrics vividly capture the roller coaster of emotions that can come from unfinished business and unrequited love. The singer is consumed by thoughts of their ex-lover, who seems to have moved on and left them behind. The lyrics describe the singer's desperate desire to be reunited with their former love interest, but they also acknowledge the futility of holding onto something that is gone.
The chorus of the song expresses this longing most clearly: "Take me away, I promise I'll be good / I won't get lost in misunderstood / Looking back on way back when / I'll be ready for when I see you again." These lines are a plea for forgiveness and a promise of change, but also an acknowledgement that the past is gone and cannot be undone. The verses, on the other hand, offer more specific details about the relationship and the singer's feelings. The line "And when you go, will you think of me? / In your mind, will I cross that street?" is particularly poignant, as it shows how even small details can trigger memories and provoke longing.
Overall, "Like to See You Again" is a powerful and relatable song that captures the bittersweetness of lost love. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, and the melody is haunting and beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
There she goes again
The woman in question has left once again.
Pulling me around
She seems to have a hold over the singer, dragging them along wherever she goes.
Says she'll be your friend
She offers platonic friendship to the singer.
Just don't make a sound
The artist must comply with her silent wishes.
Something in her
The woman possesses a certain quality which is inexplicable.
She's all that
She embodies all the best attributes.
The pot that she stirs
She incites drama and conflict wherever she goes.
But she won't look back
She moves forward without hesitation, without concern for the past.
Take me away, I promise I'll be good
The artist wants to be taken away and promises good behavior.
I won't get lost in misunderstood
The artist won't become lost in ambiguity or misunderstanding.
Looking back on way back when
Reflecting on the past.
I'll be ready for when I see you again
The artist anticipates seeing the woman again and will be prepared.
One last glance, my soul she took
The woman has a significant impact on the singer, taking a piece of their soul with her.
And when you go, will you think of me?
The singer wonders if the woman will have thoughts of them when she departs.
In your mind, will I cross that street?
The singer questions if the woman will cross paths with them again in the future.
Leave this on when you go to sleep?
The artist asks if the woman will leave something behind as a reminder of their connection.
Dream of me, like your so discrete?
The artist questions if the woman dreams of them secretly.
(Take me away, I promise I'll be good)
Reiteration of the desire to be taken away and promise of good behavior.
(I won't get lost in misunderstood)
Reiteration of not becoming lost in ambiguity or misunderstanding.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Austin Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BaRRicade120
An amalgam of Mark Kozelek, Arthur Russell, and Mark Hollis with Eno-esque synths; top shelf stuff.
@Adrianovaz2007
The last minute where his voice is barely audible is beautiful. Gotta love how there's some great music in hidden attics around the world, just waiting to be shared with us music lovers.
@raoulduke362
For everyone else who loves this music, please check out some more breathtaking material from Lewis:
http://www.fiascobros.com/lewis_randy_duke.html
Being a part of the recording process for this (trumpet) was a wonderful experience, and each track captures the essence of Lewis' soft, yet powerful voice. Production on this new album may bring you to tears...
@WhiskeyPieSometimes
Anyone else get a late Talk Talk/Mark Hollis solo vibe from this? Especially with the quiet, hushed vocal mix and overall sense of detached melancholy.
@jjstratford
Definitely a similar vibe, although I prefer Talk Talk by a good margin. Especially Laughing Stock :)
@prettyliz3
jjstratford looooooove that album. it's my life.
@jjstratford
prettyliz3 sounds like you have great taste in music :)
@jjstratford
prettyliz3 you like Cocteau Twins or Beach House?
@prettyliz3
heaven or las vegas is my fav album:) and i've only heard a few songs by beach house
@michaelalf13
Wherever you may be, Lewis, thank you.