Lilys, led by singer/songwriter Kurt Heasley, are a notoriously difficult b… Read Full Bio ↴Lilys, led by singer/songwriter Kurt Heasley, are a notoriously difficult band to categorize. With an ever-evolving lineup, home base, and a sound that swings pendulum-like between My Bloody Valentine-influenced shoegazer and indie guitar pop, the answer to the question, "Who are the Lilys?" depends of the qualifiers of "when" and "where."
Along with Apples In Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control, Of Montreal and other bands, Lilys set much of the tone for the American East Coast rock scene in the 1990s
"A Nanny In Manhattan" became a #16 hit in the UK after being used in a 1998 ad campaign for Levi's jeans.
In winter of 2000 K. began recording Precollection in Philadelphia. Three producers and three years later enter Guru of Soul, producer MIchael Musmanno, combining his affections for pop and esoteric rock to deliver all subsequent Lilys recordings.

Cambridge California
Lilys Lyrics

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Hope you're free and better now
Your ceiling's gone
Hope your getting out more
Now the roof ain't on

Deanimation king who did not come to fix things
Now doesn't have to tell you why
So kick off your shoes

And feel some kind of free
For I may say things that make you feel beautiful

I did not mean to interrupt your day
But something now really carried me away
Is that a Leary Machine you got there
Yeah Oh

Hope you're feeling free and better now
Your feelings gone
Hope your getting out more
Now your roof ain't on

Deanimation king who did not come to fix things
Now doesn't have to tell you why
So kick off your shoes
And feel some kind of free
Coz I may say things that make you feel beautiful

So kick off your shoes
So kick off your shoes

Oh that Leary machine
Yeah yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Lily’s song Cambridge California talks about a person who has been struggling with something, and the singer is hoping that this individual is now feeling better. The use of the metaphor of a ceiling being gone to describe how they are feeling highlights a sense of liberation or freedom. The lyrics also have a sense of vitality and movement, as the person is encouraged to “get out more” now that they are feeling free.

The second verse introduces the idea of a “deanimation king”, who did not come to fix things and doesn’t have to tell anyone why. It’s unclear exactly who this character is or what their significance is, but it seems to add an element of mystery to the song, and perhaps even a sense of danger. The lyrics go on to talk about the importance of feeling free, and how the singer wants to say things that will make the listener feel beautiful.

Overall, the song seems to be about the transformative power of freedom and the importance of feeling good in one’s own skin. There is a sense of rebellion and adventure that runs through the lyrics, and the references to a “Leary Machine” and a “deanimation king” suggest that Lily is drawing on a sense of counterculture and pushing against societal norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Hope you're free and better now
I hope you are doing well and no longer feeling trapped or burdened by anything.

Your ceiling's gone
You have removed the barrier that was holding you back and can now move freely.

Hope your getting out more Now the roof ain't on
I hope you're able to go out and do more things now that you no longer feel trapped by any limitations.

Deanimation king who did not come to fix things Now doesn't have to tell you why
The person who caused the situation is no longer in control and therefore doesn't owe an explanation for why things ended up this way.

So kick off your shoes And feel some kind of free
Let go of any remaining worries or stress and allow yourself to feel freedom and relaxation.

For I may say things that make you feel beautiful
I may compliment you and make you feel good about yourself.

I did not mean to interrupt your day But something now really carried me away
I'm sorry for interrupting you, but something about you or the situation really grabbed my attention and I had to speak up.

Is that a Leary Machine you got there Yeah Oh
I'm curious and fascinated by the equipment you have.

Your feelings gone
You have shed any negative emotions and are feeling better.

Coz I may say things that make you feel beautiful
Because I might compliment you and lift your spirits.

So kick off your shoes So kick off your shoes
Again, let loose and relax.

Oh that Leary machine Yeah yeah yeah
Still fascinated by the equipment.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KURT KARGAR HEASLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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