From curious stints in Japanese hotels, English pubs, Danish jazz clubs, an… Read Full Bio ↴From curious stints in Japanese hotels, English pubs, Danish jazz clubs, and most recently a series of performances and music video shoot in New York, Lisa has travelled the world getting by on a song, quite literally. It’s little wonder that she has been hand picked to tour in New Zealand with artists as varied as John Mayer, Jools Holland, Nathan Haines, Julia Deans and Paul Weller, scoring rave reviews wherever she pops up.

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.

What Would I Give
Lisa Crawley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take my hand, I want to be led
I want to put last night out of my head
I wasn't myself, I wasn't myself
You ask me who I was
'Cause you can't see anyone else

And it's taking it's toll, yeah, it's taking it's toll
And I don't want to live my life that way

It's bringing me down and I'm taking you with me
I don't want to live my life that way

Thought it had gone, thought I would be okay
Thought all the bad dreams and anxiety had gone away
But they came back, back from their cigarette break
And laughed when I offered them
All that they wanted to be on their way

What would I give
What would I give
To be free of this heavy heart and to live
What would I take
What do I take
'Cause it's all in my head
But it's more than my head that aches

And it's taking its toll, yeah, it's taking its toll
And I don't want to live my life that way
It's bringing me down and I'm taking you with me
I don't want to live my life that way

What would I give
What would I give
To be free of this heavy heart and to live
What would I take
What do I take
'Cause it's all in my head
But it's more than my head that aches

And it's taking its toll, yeah, its taking its toll
And I don't want to live my life that way

It's bringing me down and I'm taking you with me
I don't want to live my life that way

Overall Meaning

In "What Would I Give," Lisa Crawley expresses her desire to escape from the weight of her anxieties and the toll they are taking on her life. She speaks of a night where she did not feel like herself, leading to questions from those around her about who she really is. Crawley alludes to the fact that these anxieties and bad dreams seemed to have gone away, but they returned without warning, like bad friends coming back from a break to take advantage of her. The pain is not only in her head but also in her heart and is affecting the people around her.

Crawley's lyrics are raw and honest, conveying a feeling that many can relate to: the struggle of trying to escape from our own thoughts and fears. She yearns for a brighter future free from her heavy heart and reflects on the things she would sacrifice to obtain that peace.

The repetition of the line "And I don't want to live my life that way" emphasizes Crawley's desire to break free from the weight of her anxieties and not let them rule her life. The song is a reminder to listeners that it's okay to seek help and support to overcome one's struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

Take my hand, I want to be led
I am lost and seeking guidance from someone who can show me the way forward.

I want to put last night out of my head
I am trying to forget a recent experience or memory that is troubling me.

I wasn't myself, I wasn't myself
I am struggling with my identity or sense of self.

You ask me who I was
The people close to me are noticing a change in my behavior or personality.

'Cause you can't see anyone else
I am so consumed by my own problems that I am neglecting the needs and feelings of those around me.

And it's taking it's toll, yeah, it's taking it's toll
This situation is affecting me negatively and causing me harm.

And I don't want to live my life that way
I am ready for change and to break free from the pattern of behavior that is causing me pain and suffering.

It's bringing me down and I'm taking you with me
My struggles are not only affecting me, but also those around me, and I am aware that I need to make a change for their sake as well as my own.

Thought it had gone, thought I would be okay
I believed that my problems had been resolved and that I could move on from them.

Thought all the bad dreams and anxiety had gone away
I thought I had overcome my fears and worries, but they have returned and are haunting me once again.

But they came back, back from their cigarette break
My troubles have resurfaced and are as strong as ever, as if they have taken time off only to come back even stronger.

And laughed when I offered them
Despite my efforts to overcome my problems, they still hold power over me and seem to defy any solution I offer.

All that they wanted to be on their way
My troubles seem to have a life of their own and are only interested in causing me pain and suffering, with no interest in leaving me alone.

What would I give
I am ready to make sacrifices in order to escape my troubles and live a happier life.

To be free of this heavy heart and to live
I long to be released from the burden of my problems and to be able to live freely and happily once again.

What would I take
I am willing to do whatever it takes to find a solution to my problems and to live a better life.

'Cause it's all in my head
I am aware that my problems may be largely psychological and that I need to work through them in order to find peace.

But it's more than my head that aches
Although my problems may be psychological, they are causing me physical pain and discomfort as well.

And it's taking its toll, yeah, it's taking its toll
The ongoing struggle with my problems is having a negative impact on my life and my well-being.

And I don't want to live my life that way
I am ready to make a change and to find a way to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

It's bringing me down and I'm taking you with me
I am aware that my troubles are affecting those around me, and I am ready to take responsibility for my actions and make a change for the better.

I don't want to live my life that way
I am tired of living with the burden of my problems and am ready for a fresh start and a new direction.

Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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