Background
Lissie was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois, USA - her father is a physician and her mother is an interior designer. She was interested in singing and music from an early age. She played the title role of the musical Annie at the age of nine. "In high school it seems like everyone has more drama than any other time in their life. So that was the time in my life where I really leaned on music as a way to stay sane" she said in an interview.
In her senior year of high school, Lissie was expelled over, what she described, as "something stupid that [she] did, but it was sort of like the culmination of just a lot of negative things that had happened". She got her degree at an alternative outreach center. She spent two years at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, during which time she would open for musicians who visited the city. She collaborated with DJ Harry of SCI Fidelity Records on the song "All My Life", which featured on television shows House, The O.C., Veronica Mars and Wildfire. After spending a semester in Paris, she finished her studies to pursue a career in music. In 2007, she produced a four-song EP that received some airplay on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
In early 2008, Lenny Kravitz invited her to be the opening act for his Love Revolution Tour, after a friend tipped him about her MySpace page. Later that year, "The Longest Road", a song she co-wrote with DJ Morgan Page reached #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. "We met under that idea that he was going to remix a song of mine (...) But we decided to work on a new song together", she told the Quad-City Times. The Deadmau5 remix of the track was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical" category.
Releases
EP - Lissie (2007 and re-released in 2013)
EP - Why You Runnin' (2009)
Her EP, Why You Runnin', produced by Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses, was released in November 2009 on Fat Possum. One of the songs, Oh Mississippi, was co-written with Ed Harcourt, whom she met through a mutual friend. The EP was listed amongst Paste magazine's "Eight Most Auspicious Musical Debuts of 2009". In early 2010, she toured various venues in the United Kingdom supporting Ohio-born singer-songwriter Joshua Radin.
Catching a Tiger (2010)
Lissie signed with Sony Music UK's Columbia Records. Her debut album, Catching a Tiger, was released on June 21, 2010. The album was recorded in Nashville in 2009 and produced by Jacquire King. The first single from the album, In Sleep, was selected as Track of The Day by Q Magazine on 13 March 2010. A second single, When I’m Alone, was released alongside the album; it would later be chosen by iTunes UK as their song of the year 2010.
Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire (2011)
EP - Covered Up With Flowers (2011)
Back to Forever (2013)
Lissie's sophomore album, Back to Forever, was released on September 8, 2013. It features the singles “Shameless” and “Further Away (Romance Police)”
EP - Love in the City (2013).
EP - Cryin' To You (2014)
In March 2014, Lissie released a critically acclaimed independent EP of cover versions called Cryin' To You. The 5-track EP features an eclectic mix of popular covers - Judas Priest’s Electric Eye, One Direction’s ballad The Story of My Life, Mother by Danzig, Hold On We're Going Home by Drake and Bob Dylan's To Ramona.
My Wild West (2016)
On February 12, 2016 Lissie released her 3rd studio album titled "My Wild West". The album has three singles: the promotional single Hero, the lead single Don't You Give Up On Me, and Daughters. My Wild West has an average grade of 73% on Metacritic.
Live at Union Chapel (2016)
Castles (2018)
On March 23, 2018 Lissie released her 4th studio album Castles. Generally receiving favourable reviews it has a rating of 76% on Metacritic. The album has a slower overall feel and includes prominent piano accompaniments on some tracks. The album has 4 singles; Boyfriend, Blood & Muscle, Best Days and Love Blows.
Compilation - When I'm Alone: The Piano Retrospective (2019)
EP - Thank You to the Flowers (2020)
Carving Canyons (2022)
Released September 16, 2022.
Boyfriend
Lissie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ocean is too big a body to understand
Go to where it narrows
Bring your bow and arrow
Meet me out on the land
White water flowing on the rocks in the sunshine
Drinking red wine in the summertime
And it's all mine
I don't want a boyfriend
I don't want a house built on the sand
I don't want a lover
I want a man
A coming-from-the-heart man
Living in my heartland
Coming-from-the-heart man
Underneath the covers of treetops and each other
Awoken by a gentle breeze
Are we here in silence
The birds and smells of lilacs
Going out from a city
Bird calling, water falling, dreams in the sunshine
Drinking red wine in the summertime
Sun tan and Steely Dan and sounds on the radio
And it's all mine
I don't want a boyfriend
I don't want a house built on the sand
I don't want a lover
I want a man
A coming-from-the-heart man
Living in my heartland
Coming-from-the-heart man
Sweet like honey dripping, oh touch and taste
Lights my fire burning all night and day
Your soul's so stunning
Taking my breath away
My desire reaching out for the flame
I don't want a boyfriend
I don't want a house built on the sand
I don't want a lover
I want a man
A coming-from-the-heart man
Living in my heartland
Coming-from-the-heart man
I want a man
(I want a man)
In my heartland
Coming-from-the-heart man
Living in my heartland (Living in my heartland)
The song "Boyfriend" by Lissie explores the singer's desire for a deeper and more meaningful connection with a partner, rather than settling for superficial relationships. The lyrics convey a longing for a man who is genuine and authentic, someone who truly comes from the heart.
In the first verse, the singer expresses her preference for the river over the vastness of the ocean. This can be seen as a metaphor for wanting a relationship that is easier to navigate and understand. She invites her potential partner to meet her on land, symbolizing a desire for a grounded and stable connection.
The second verse continues with imagery of nature and summer experiences. The reference to white water, sunshine, red wine, night swimming, and love in the moonlight evokes a sense of freedom, joy, and adventure. These experiences are seen as treasures that the singer wants to enjoy without the constraints of a traditional relationship. It's about embracing the present and living life to the fullest.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's rejection of conventional expectations. She explicitly states that she doesn't want a boyfriend or a lover, but rather a man who truly comes from the heart. It highlights her craving for a deep emotional connection rather than superficiality. The idea of a man living in her heartland represents the desire for someone who will understand and embrace her innermost desires, passions, and values.
In the final verse, the singer celebrates the passionate and intense connection she desires. The imagery of sweetness, fire, and a stunning soul conveys a sense of attraction and admiration. The desire for the flame represents a longing for a passionate and fulfilling relationship. The repetition of the chorus underscores the importance of finding a man who truly comes from the heart, living in the singer's heartland.
Overall, "Boyfriend" is a song that speaks of the singer's yearning for a deep connection and authentic love. It expresses a desire to move beyond superficial relationships, and instead find someone who understands, appreciates, and loves her for who she truly is.
Line by Line Meaning
I prefer the river
I find the river more preferable than the ocean
The ocean is too big a body to understand
The vastness of the ocean is beyond comprehension
Go to where it narrows
Head towards the point where the river becomes narrower
Bring your bow and arrow
Bring your bow and arrow with you
Meet me out on the land
Let's meet on the land
White water flowing on the rocks in the sunshine
The sunlit white water flows over the rocks
Drinking red wine in the summertime
Enjoying red wine during summertime
Night swimming, skinny dipping, love in the moonlight
Engaging in nighttime activities like swimming and skinny dipping, experiencing love under the moonlight
And it's all mine
And all of this belongs to me
I don't want a boyfriend
I am not interested in having a boyfriend
I don't want a house built on the sand
I do not desire a relationship that lacks a solid foundation
I don't want a lover
I am not looking for just a lover
I want a man
I desire a mature and responsible man
A coming-from-the-heart man
A man who expresses his feelings sincerely
Living in my heartland
Residing deep within my emotions
Coming-from-the-heart man
Someone who speaks and acts from their genuine emotions
Underneath the covers of treetops and each other
Finding shelter and intimacy under the trees and with each other
Awoken by a gentle breeze
Waking up due to a soft and mild breeze
Are we here in silence
Are we present in a tranquil and quiet state
The birds and smells of lilacs
The chirping birds and the fragrant scent of lilacs
Going out from a city
Leaving the urban environment behind
Bird calling, water falling, dreams in the sunshine
Birds singing, water cascading, dreams flourishing in the sunlight
Drinking red wine in the summertime
Enjoying red wine during summertime
Sun tan and Steely Dan and sounds on the radio
Obtaining a sun tan, listening to the band Steely Dan, and enjoying music on the radio
And it's all mine
And all of this belongs to me
Sweet like honey dripping, oh touch and taste
Incredibly sweet, like the slow drip of honey, experienced through touch and taste
Lights my fire burning all night and day
Ignites a burning passion within me that lasts day and night
Your soul's so stunning
Your soul is exceptionally beautiful
Taking my breath away
Rendered breathless by your presence
My desire reaching out for the flame
My longing and yearning extending towards the passionate desire
I want a man
I desire a mature and responsible man
(I want a man)
(I desire a man)
In my heartland
Within the depths of my heartfelt emotions
Coming-from-the-heart man
Someone who speaks and acts from their genuine emotions
Living in my heartland
Residing deep within my emotions
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Elisabeth Corrin Maurus, Liam Coverdale Howe, Martin Craft
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caitie Leighton
She's from my home town. I've seen her play multiple times. Once, a solo acoustic, very small, and intimate show. It was amazing. So obsessed with her!
Zdeněk Driemer
How she is like a person? she is amazing
fallen
One of the most underrated singers out there .
That Guy
DaveZzZ D To u.
Ghetto Fisherman
She has soooo many great songs!!! I can listen all day every day to all of them!!!
Lissie D.S
serleth yeah for me, Record Collector has been my fav song for 11 years so it's pretty amazing, I also LOVE Shameless and Hollywood💙
Shayfe
"Further Away" was what made me make that comparison. There were elements of Nicks I heard before but that song it's like, "Hold up, did Fleetwood Mac cover this?"
RadioGuy1000
Well, she looks better (LOL). I think of Stevie Nicks : )
Kellonrs
Incredible....this girl gets it right every time!
Noobyrooby s
she has a heart that is in tune