The album was recorded and mixed over the past year at The Lab Studios in Auckland by ‘Engineer of The Year’ Oliver Harmer. Lisa has self-produced the majority of the album, with assistance from the talented Jol Mulholland, Wayne Bell, and Andrew Keoghan (who features on the haunting duet ‘We Are Wolves’).
With playful, clever, and heartfelt lyrics, the combination of a truly beautiful voice to match her unique musical talents (expect piano, guitar, clarinet, omnichord and more), the album is complemented by an array of friends and musicians from bands such as The Ruby Suns, Bannerman, The Checks, Artisan Guns and Tiny Ruins, to name a few.
Lisa is one of New Zealand’s songwriters to watch, already having won the international ‘Pacific Songwriting Competition’ and has recently been nominated for a Silver Scroll award for the catchy single “Leaving”.
The album tackles ordinarily tender topics all from the perspective of a young woman and shimmering rising star who would love to share… Everything That I Have Seen.
Trying Out Tonight
Lisa Crawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought help would come through
Invested too much in this
Nothing to show
Not even soil for a plan to grow up on my behalf
I'm trying out tonight
I'm drinking my doubt tonight
Waking up, but not quite waking up
As I am so down today
Please help me up today
Absence, well, it makes the heart grow fonder they say
I'll stick to my absinthe and I'll shoot the night away
I'm trying out tonight
I'm drinking my doubt tonight
Without you
I'm trying out tonight
I'm drinking my doubt tonight
I'm trying out tonight
I'm drinking my doubt tonight
Without you
In these lyrics, we can sense the singer is struggling with a relationship that didn't work out. She has invested a lot of time and effort into this person, but she has nothing to show for it. She feels like she's wasted her energy and has nothing to grow from, not even soil for a plant. She is starting to wake up from this relationship, but it's a slow process. The absence of this person in her life has made her long for them, but instead of dwelling on it, she's decided to try something new. She's planning to go out, drink and try new things, attempting to move on from the past.
The line "Nothing to show, not even soil for a plan to grow up on my behalf" is a metaphor for the lack of growth in the relationship. Without the proper nurturing and care, plants won't grow. Similarly, without the necessary effort put into a relationship, it won't blossom. The opening line "Broke from spending my time on you" refers to not just the financial cost but the emotional cost of investing her time and energy into this person. She feels like she's hit her limit and needs to step away to try new things and grow without this toxic relationship holding her back.
Line by Line Meaning
Broke from spending my time on you
I am financially and emotionally drained from investing all my time and resources into our relationship
I thought help would come through
I believed that my efforts would pay off and you would reciprocate the love and support I gave you
Invested too much in this
I have given too much of myself to this relationship without receiving anything in return
Nothing to show
Despite my best efforts, there is nothing to show for my investment in our relationship
Not even soil for a plan to grow up on my behalf
There is no foundation or potential for growth in our relationship, leaving me with nothing to work with
I'm trying out tonight
Tonight I am taking a chance and doing something different
I'm drinking my doubt tonight
I am trying to drown out my doubts and fears with alcohol
Waking up, but not quite waking up
I am physically awake but emotionally and mentally drained
As I am so down today
I am feeling really low and depressed today
Please help me up today
I am reaching out for help and support to lift me up and out of this emotional slump
Absence, well, it makes the heart grow fonder they say
The distance between us has made me realize how much I truly care about you
I'll stick to my absinthe and I'll shoot the night away
I will continue to drink alcohol to mask my pain and escape from my feelings
Without you
I am trying something new and different without your influence or presence
Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Poppy Tohill
Your music is amazing Lisa!! :) I saw you perform last year and loved your music! Love Blind Eyes by the way and your voice is amazing.
bmr
You snapped up my attention on this single. Even though it is an older one, I really think this indie girl style suits your voice better - and anyone watching the US shows and listening to the soundtrack (like I do) could hear this there I'm sure. If this is the 'real' you then you should stick to it girl - a lot of talent there!
rickhurricane1
This song is fantastic and deserves major airplay, also heard you on the radio the other day and thought you were superb.
patrick kell
This is an awesome song! You REALLY have talent and a beautiful voice! Is this being played outside of NZ? Sorry for my ignorance if it is!
vanidge
Hey this is great, you have a fantastic voice. I got word from a friend of mine who has seen you live at some place called the London bar, told me to check this vid out and grab your EP.
kiwi1380
Hi Lisa!!! Great to see you still into your music!!! I remember the beginnings of you at Henderson Intermediate!!! Abby
Richard Howard
still listening to this and still enjoy every beat! :)
Michael Halsall
Cute video!
The dancing ornaments are so clever!
danilodawsonvideos
good music, good video =)
iris duinker
Nice!