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.
Romance For Two
Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dreamt it in my sleep
I could get one real cheap
I'd make designer sweaters with my two ton sheep
Then we could have a warm and cozy Christmas
I'd teach my sheep some real cool tricks
And she would be an internet sensation
With money made from book negotiations
All I want for Christmas is a two ton sheep
I dreamt it in my sleep
I could get one real cheap
I'd make designer sweaters with my two ton sheep
Then we could have a very merry Christmas.
The lyrics of Lewis's song "Romance For Two" seem to be a humorous take on the idea of Christmas wishes. The singer expresses a desire for a rather unusual gift - a two-ton sheep. This whimsical request is said to have been dreamt by the singer, implying that it may represent a fantastical desire or an imaginative longing. The singer suggests that not only would they be able to acquire such a sheep at a low cost, but they would also utilize its wool to create designer sweaters. This image of crafting fashionable garments out of wool from an oversized sheep highlights the playful nature of the song.
Furthermore, the lyrics depict a vision of a warm and cozy Christmas, emphasizing the comfort and joy associated with the holiday season. The singer goes on to imagine teaching the sheep unique talents, which would then lead to it becoming an internet sensation. This idea adds a sense of the absurd and highlights the singer's inclination to fantasize about unlikely scenarios. The lyrics continue to explore the dream-like narrative by envisioning a move to Hollywood and financial success through book negotiations.
Overall, "Romance For Two" is a lighthearted and humorous song that uses whimsical imagery and playful storytelling to convey a sense of Christmas longing, imagination, and the possibility of unlikely dreams coming true.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want for Christmas is a two ton sheep
My ultimate desire this Christmas is to possess a large, heavy sheep.
I dreamt it in my sleep
This wish formed in my subconscious mind while I was asleep.
I could get one real cheap
It is plausible for me to acquire this sheep at a low cost.
I'd make designer sweaters with my two ton sheep
I would utilize the wool from this exceptionally massive sheep to create fashionable sweaters.
Then we could have a warm and cozy Christmas
By having this sheep and the resulting wool products, our Christmas would be pleasant and snug.
I'd teach my sheep some real cool tricks
I would impart impressive skills to my sheep, making it capable of amazing feats.
And she would be an internet sensation
Such abilities would lead the sheep to gain immense popularity and fame on the Internet.
Then we could move to Hollywood
The sheep's success would enable us to relocate to the glamorous realm of Hollywood.
With money made from book negotiations
The wealth generated through lucrative book deals would support our newfound lifestyle.
All I want for Christmas is a two ton sheep
Reiterating my fervent wish for a gargantuan sheep this Christmas.
I dreamt it in my sleep
Emphasizing the origin of my desire in a dream during my slumber.
I could get one real cheap
Accentuating the possibility of obtaining the desired sheep at a remarkably low price.
I'd make designer sweaters with my two ton sheep
Elaborating on the plans to utilize the massive sheep's wool for creating stylish garments.
Then we could have a very merry Christmas.
Envisioning a joyous and delightful Christmas experience due to the fulfillment of these aspirations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Donald Yetter Gardner, W. Michael Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joseph brosky
There is a story about him in the August 2015 MAXIM.its a good read
ehh hahah
ahh thats so lovely ;3
Eric Mazariegos
Fuggin gawd
mauro iseppon
La voce di Devendra B.