Will met LA-native Jacquelyn Thropay during the recording of 2010’s ‘A Knight at the Crossroads’ and she became an occasional contributing member shortly thereafter. Together the pair wrote and recorded 2011’s ‘Ashes’.
In 2013 Lost on Purpose began playing live shows with drummer Brady Erickson and bassist Jordan Harris. The band disbanded upon Will moving to Tokyo in 2014.
Under his own name Will composed the soundtrack for the 2015 film "Waffle Street" (starring Danny Glover). He contributed songs and wrote music specifically for the films "Small Town Crime" (2017, starring Anthony Anderson), "Fatman" (2020, starring Mel Gibson), "Mobland" (2023, starring John Travolta), and Red Right Hand (2024, starring Orlando Bloom) under his own name and as Lost on Purpose.
Since moving to Japan Will has continued recording and releasing music as Lost on Purpose. He is also the producer for War Bride, a singer/rapper also based in Tokyo.
London
Lost On Purpose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm busy designing this music from my heart
I play the piano to keep me sane
It's better than anything I majored in
My parents paid my way through school
I still don't know what I wanna do
I follow my heart but I still need money
Believe it or not, sometimes I wanna quit
But going back to school feels just like giving in
Five years from now, where will I be?
I don't know and that's the only thing I believe in
Well sooner or later I'll be across the sea
A mountain hell mentality
Sooner or later I'll be at work
A heart-fixed fever for which I yearn
It's the only place I know
Upon this earth that goes around
If you hold me baby you can see
Off in words for London sea
I moved away, out to the West
I keep on moving or I'll end up where I left
A year goes by and I've moved twice
If i don't write songs a little part of me dies
You can't go back and relive your life
If you focus on goals what happens when they're realized?
You can't go back to times and places
Once you're gone they replace all the faces
The first verse of Lost on Purpose's song "London" speaks to the creative struggle of an artist. The lyrics, "I'm coding message in painted art, I'm busy designing this music from my heart" suggests that the artist is using different forms of media to convey their message. The line "I play the piano to keep me sane, It's better than anything I majored in" implies that the artist initially pursued a career outside of music or the arts but found solace in their creative endeavors. The second verse continues this sentiment of uncertainty and pressure from financial restraints. The lyrics "My parents paid my way through school, I still don't know what I wanna do, I follow my heart but I still need money, I play my guitar 'cause I hate being so poor" highlight the struggle of balancing passion and practicality.
The chorus introduces the idea of the unknown and the artist's sense of adventure. The lines "Believe it or not, sometimes I wanna quit, But going back to school feels just like giving in, Five years from now, where will I be? I don't know and that's the only thing I believe in" suggests that the artist may be uncertain about their future, but they have faith in the journey. The final verse of the song reflects on the artist's personal growth and the inevitability of change. "You can't go back and relive your life If you focus on goals what happens when they're realized? You can't go back to times and places Once you're gone they replace all the faces" drives home the idea of living in the present and embracing the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm coding message in painted art
I express my thoughts in my unique way through my music
I'm busy designing this music from my heart
My music is an honest reflection of my emotions and experiences
I play the piano to keep me sane
Playing music is therapeutic for me
It's better than anything I majored in
Music gives me more fulfillment than my college degree ever could
My parents paid my way through school
I didn't have to struggle financially to get my degree
I still don't know what I wanna do
Despite having a degree, I'm still unsure about my future
I follow my heart but I still need money
I pursue my passion but the reality is that I still have financial needs
I play my guitar 'cause I hate being so poor
My love for music is a coping mechanism for my financial struggles
Believe it or not, sometimes I wanna quit
I have moments of doubt and uncertainty in pursuing my passion
But going back to school feels just like giving in
Returning to school would be admitting defeat in pursuing my passion
Five years from now, where will I be?
I'm uncertain about where my life will take me in the future
I don't know and that's the only thing I believe in
Embracing the uncertainty of life is the only thing I'm sure of
Well sooner or later I'll be across the sea
At some point, I'll travel to different parts of the world
A mountain hell mentality
I have a determined and persistent mindset
Sooner or later I'll be at work
Inevitably, I'll have to work to sustain myself
A heart-fixed fever for which I yearn
I have a strong passion for music that I constantly desire to pursue
It's the only place I know
Music is my comfort zone and safe space
Upon this earth that goes around
In this constantly changing world
If you hold me baby you can see
My emotions can be understood through my music
Off in words for London sea
My music can transport the listener to a different place and time
I moved away, out to the West
I left my hometown and went to a different state
I keep on moving or I'll end up where I left
I keep myself busy and avoid staying stagnant
A year goes by and I've moved twice
I'm constantly on the move and don't stay in one place for too long
If i don't write songs a little part of me dies
Music is such an integral part of me that not creating it feels like a loss of self
You can't go back and relive your life
The past is unchangeable and can't be revisited
If you focus on goals what happens when they're realized?
I question the long-term satisfaction of achieving my goals
You can't go back to times and places
Memories are all that remain of what once was
Once you're gone they replace all the faces
Life goes on and people move on, even when you're no longer there
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan
This one is masterfully done
Brad Danrir
You were at the good place my friend, hope to hear in live this guys.. He incredible
I'm a big fan of all kinds of music but there is really something unique about Lost on Purpose