Though born in Dayton, Ohio, Barlow was raised in Jackson, Michigan and then Westfield, Massachusetts. He is widely considered to be among the most prolific and ground-breaking indie musicians of the 1990's. He's best known for his work with Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion and Dinosaur Jr.'s original and current lineup. Many labels have been applied to his unique brand of acoustic rock, including lo-fi, folk-pop and folkcore. Barlow's latest album, his second official solo effort under his own name, is titled Goodnight unknown.
Imagined Life
Lou Barlow Lyrics
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The day I held your hand in mine
It happened so slowly
Then there wasn't any time
You held the air between us carefully
The season turned behind the wheel
I became what you believed me to be
Out of my imagined life
The circle in my brainn
The pattern trap that holds me back
If you could love me I could find a way
Now what of what the heart is wanting
That this day may not allow
Changes, planning
Things that cannot happen now
Change is happening right now
Out of my imagined life
The circle in my brain
The pattern trap that holds me back
If you could love me
I could find a way, away
Lou Barlow's "Imagined Life" is a heartfelt song that speaks of the power of love to transform one's existence. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's emotional journey as he learns to let go of his limitations and embrace the possibilities of love. The opening lines speak of a profound physical sensation, as though the singer's blood has turned to liquid. This imagery suggests his overwhelming vulnerability and desire for the object of his affection. The singer then describes how the relationship unfolded over time, culminating in a moment in which he realized that he had become the person that his partner believed him to be.
The chorus speaks of the singer's escape from his "imagined life," which is a reference to the self-limiting patterns of thought and behavior that he had previously accepted. The line "the pattern trap that holds me back" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the singer had been trapped by his own beliefs and fears. However, the possibility of love has given him a new sense of purpose and the determination to break free from these limitations. The final lines of the song express a sense of hope and optimism, as the singer looks toward a brighter future in which he can find a way forward with the support of his partner.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was written and recorded by Barlow in a matter of hours. According to an interview with The Line of Best Fit, Barlow sat down at his home studio one afternoon and began tinkering with the melody and lyrics on his acoustic guitar. He quickly found himself feeling inspired and recorded the entire song in a single afternoon. Another interesting fact is that the song was released on the EP Reason to Live, which was Barlow's first solo release in six years. The EP was generally well-received by critics and fans, many of whom praised the emotional depth and vulnerability of Barlow's lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
My blood ran hot, I turned to liquid
My emotions were intense, overwhelming and all-consuming
The day I held your hand in mine
The moment we connected physically was pivotal
It happened so slowly
Our relationship progressed gradually and almost imperceptibly
Then there wasn't any time
Before we knew it, we were all-in and there was no turning back
You held the air between us carefully
You were cautious and deliberate about the space and boundaries we shared
The season turned behind the wheel
The passage of time was marked by the turning of seasons and the momentum of life
I became what you believed me to be
The power of your perception shaped and changed me
Fell the way you made me feel
I was moved and deeply affected by the way you treated me
Out of my imagined life
I'm leaving behind the version of reality I constructed in my own mind
The circle in my brain
The obsessive thought patterns that have been holding me back
The pattern trap that holds me back
The cyclical and self-destructive behaviors that impede my progress
If you could love me I could find a way
Your love and acceptance has the power to free me from my own limitations
Now what of what the heart is wanting
But what happens when our deepest desires are out of alignment with present circumstances?
That this day may not allow
There may be external factors that prevent us from fulfilling our heart's desire in the present moment
Changes, planning
In order to achieve our heart's desire, we may need to make significant changes and plan accordingly
Things that cannot happen now
Despite our best efforts, there may be certain outcomes that are out of reach at this moment in time
Change is happening right now
Despite the challenges and setbacks, forward progress is being made at this moment
If you could love me
Your love has the power to catalyze real and lasting change in my life
I could find a way, away
With your love and support, I could transcend my current limitations and begin a new and better chapter of my life
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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Lilith Evans
Thanks, Lou. So much talent, lots of love <3
M Taylor
love love love Lou. thank-you for all these beautiful songs, soundtrack to my life.
santo alessi
one of my favourites