Loeb carried the momentum of her early success into a multi-dimensional career encompassing music, film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings. Her five acclaimed studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling "Tails" and its follow-ups, the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling "Firecracker" (1997), "Cake and Pie" (2002; re-released with three bonus tracks as "Hello Lisa"), and "The Way It Really Is" (2004).
She tours worldwide and has captivated a younger audience as she released award-winning "Catch the Moon" in 2003, and 5 years later "Camp Lisa" in 2008. In conjunction with this project, she launched her own non-profit, The Camp Lisa Foundation, designed to help underprivileged kids attend summer camp through its partnership with Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge, Inc. (S.C.O.P.E.). Loeb has starred in two television series, "Dweezil and Lisa", a weekly culinary adventure for the Food Network and "No. 1 Single", a dating show on the E! Network in 2006.
Her greatest hits compilation, "The Very Best of Lisa Loeb", was released through Universal in January 2006 .
Her seventh studio album "No Fairy Tale" was released on January 29, 2013, by 429 Records. Her eighth album "A Simple Trick to Happiness" was released on February 28, 2020.
Loeb tours with and without her band, such as touring with Daru Oda and Adam Levy. Other band members have included Mark Spencer, Matt Beck, Ronny Crawford, Joe Quigley, Joe Travers, Mark Meadows, Michael Eisenstein, Dave Gibbs, and Leland Sklar.
PayBack
Lisa Loeb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The opening line "Is this how it ends, laying in bed" sets a melancholic tone to the song, suggesting that the singer is in a state of despair and questioning the current situation. The use of a "cheap tape recorder" instead of talking to friends, indicates that the singer's connections with others may be strained, or that they are seeking solace in solitude. The lyrics suggest that the singer is grappling with conflicting emotions; on one hand, they want to exact revenge, but on the other, they acknowledge that some things do not need payback.
The passage "Don't take revenge. just let it lie. Don't give me a chance. You don't owe me that. The easiest thing is if you just let it die," shows the singer's internal conflict. They are trying to wrestle with feelings of anger and revenge, while also understanding the importance of moving on from the situation. The song also highlights the theme of self-discovery as the singer explores their own emotions and tries to find answers that may not be pleasant or easy to accept. The juxtaposition of good memories with unpleasant ones provides an excellent contrast between happy times in the past and the turmoil of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this how it ends, laying in bed Talking to a cheap tape recorder instead of my friends
Reflecting on how the relationship ended poorly, confiding in a recording device instead of talking to friends.
I was waiting for my head to clear up. I thought I was smart I can't tell them that. it might sound like revenge.
Trying to clear up one's thoughts before approaching friends about the end of the relationship - hesitant to share, as it may sound vengeful.
In bed with a low grade fever, they wanted to know how could I leave you.
Recalling being sick in bed while being questioned by others about why the relationship ended.
Some things don't need a payback. some things are sure, some things I'd find the answers in time. You can't feel safe about. where do I start?
Realizing that not everything needs to be retaliated against, some things are certain and answers will reveal themselves in time. Unsure of where to even begin with the situation.
But the answers I find, aren't what you want to hear. they're not even close. Some things you can' t feel safe about. Some things don't need a clear up. You got that?
Coming to realizations that may not be appreciated by the other person, and some things don't require an explanation. Aware that there are things that may never bring a sense of safety or closure into the relationship.
I remember good things like the van breaking down. I sat on your lap in the auto repair and you touched my hair. While the heavy drops rain on the pavement outside. Don't take revenge. just let it lie. Don't give me a chance. You don't owe me that.
Remembering a happy moment from the relationship, during the rainstorm. Encouraging the other person to not seek revenge, but rather let the past go. No obligation to give the singer any closure.
The easiest thing, is if you just let it die. Some things you can't feel safe about. Some things don't need a payback. some things are sure
Stating that it's easier to let the relationship end without any further attempts at resolution. Not everything can bring a sense of safety and not every wrong requires retaliation, but some things are certain.
Don't follow me out, I'll think your coming for some payback Why did I leave? How long did it take? It could take forever Some things don't need a clear up. You got that?
Asking the other person to not pursue them out of fear of retaliation. Wondering about the decision to end the relationship and how long it may take to fully understand. Acknowledging that not everything needs to be explained to be understood.
Some things don't need a payback You got that, you got that?
Reiterating that not every wrong requires retaliation and questioning whether the other person understands that concept.
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: LISA A. LOEB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind