Love and Theft is a bit different from the group that scored a Top 10 hit t… Read Full Bio ↴Love and Theft is a bit different from the group that scored a Top 10 hit two years ago with “Runaway.” But the changes that have affected the group—most notably, signing with RCA Records and downsizing to a duo—have actually brought Love and Theft closer to what it originally set out to be: a band that writes, records and performs honest, soulful country music.

While Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson are proud of their successful first effort, they are excited to have teamed with producer Josh Leo (Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) on their RCA effort. "We love performing" says Stephen. "The way we are recording now is the way our influences made records: live with a band. It's a lot more organic.".”

Eric’s earthy voice is the perfect complement to Stephen’s high-altitude tenor. The guys happily share lead vocals, harmonize like a church choir, and bolster their band with their own guitar work. “Stephen and I have always been on the same page as far as the vision for Love and Theft and what we want it to be,” says Eric. “We feel like we have made the record we’ve always wanted to make.”

The result is a nod to the duo’s varied influences. “She’s Amazing” evokes the brilliant harmonies of the Eagles. The seductive “Amen” channels all the yearning of Roy Orbison. And the rollicking first single “Angel Eyes” brings to mind Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.”

While Johnny Cash and Orbison are both enormous influences, it might surprise fans to learn who the duo’s favorite artist is. “Hands-down, Elvis,” says Stephen. “My dad was really into him, so I got into him. I was all over Elvis growing up.”

Coincidentally, both Stephen and Eric—who didn’t meet until they were in their early 20s—were raised as pastors’ kids, and their respective fathers fed them a steady diet of gospel, oldies and country. “Our parents didn’t want us listening to secular music that much. But they’d let us listen to Elvis, Roy, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band…,” says Eric. “It was cool to grow up that way, and that’s still my favorite kind of music.”

It isn’t lost on the guys that they’re now recording for the very label that released some of their hero’s biggest hits. “We’re excited to be on RCA, the same label Elvis was on,” Stephen says with a smile.

Perhaps it was some divine intervention that led the friends to this point in their career. Eric and Stephen, after all, will be the first to tell you that their shared spirituality is a cornerstone of Love and Theft. In fact, both used to lead worship at their churches.

“That’s how we got our start playing music. Our faith is a huge part of our lives,” says Eric, pondering the fate of it all. “I feel like it was meant to be this way from the beginning. Our journey over the past four years was preparing us for where we’re at now.”

Which is squarely at the doorstop of a prosperous career in country music. With a young, vibrant sound, a captivating live show, and a passionate fan base, Love and Theft are poised to become the genre’s next great duo.

http://www.loveandtheft.com/

Freedom
Love and Theft Lyrics

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I cover my eyes as the
Sun's pouring in
No, I never thought
Last night would end
And there's smoke in the house
I woke up on the couch again

I got nowhere to go and

No one to see
The birds out my window are
Singing to me
And I don't know their song
So I hum along out of key
And this place sure feels haunted
I guess I got what I wanted
Freedom

This three dollar coffee
It sure tastes like hell
But I don't have to answer to
Anyone else
I just sit here in peace
Till I wanna leave,oh well

And I'm here without you
Where I wanted to be
I guess I got what was
Coming to me
Freedom, freedom

Me and the dreamers
Burning up the midnight sky
Foolish believers
Throw it all away and
Wave goodbye

I open my eyes as the
Sun's going down
All by myself
There's nobody around

So this is freedom, so this is
Freedom

This is freedom, this is freedom
This is free.

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics of Love and Theft's song 'Freedom' describe the aftermath of a wild night. The singer wakes up on the couch in a house full of smoke, seemingly alone, and with nowhere to go. Despite this, he notes the beauty of the birds' song outside his window, and hums along with them even though he is out of key. Although the place feels haunted, he acknowledges that this freedom is what he wanted.

The second verse speaks of the singer's newfound independence. He enjoys his coffee without having to answer to anyone else, and can sit in peace until he decides to leave. Despite being without the person he wanted to be with, he acknowledges that this freedom was what he deserved.

The final verse features a sense of acceptance and contentment. The singer is alone at sunset, but is comfortable in this newfound sense of freedom. The repetition of "this is freedom" reinforces this idea, as if the singer is trying to convince himself that he has made the right choice.

Overall, 'Freedom' seems to be about the singer's decision to prioritize his own freedom and independence over the people or things he may have lost as a result.

Line by Line Meaning

I cover my eyes as the Sun's pouring in
I avoid the incoming light because I regret the consequences of my actions

No, I never thought Last night would end
I didn't anticipate the end of the night and its aftermath

And there's smoke in the house I woke up on the couch again
Evidence of my irresponsibility is all around me; I have nothing but my own mistakes to blame

I got nowhere to go and No one to see
I have severed all ties and feel trapped in isolation

The birds out my window are Singing to me
Nature remains unbothered and indifferent to my struggles

And I don't know their song So I hum along out of key And this place sure feels haunted I guess I got what I wanted Freedom
I try to mimic the natural beauty around me but feel out of place; my loneliness is a consequence of my own desires for independence

This three dollar coffee It sure tastes like hell
Even small comforts feel empty without anyone to share them with

But I don't have to answer to Anyone else
I revel in my independence even when it doesn't bring happiness

And I'm here without you Where I wanted to be
I pursued my own desires at the expense of others and now must face the consequences

Me and the dreamers Burning up the midnight sky Foolish believers Throw it all away and Wave goodbye
I surrounded myself with those who shared my own blind optimism and now realize the shallowness of my pursuits

I open my eyes as the Sun's going down All by myself There's nobody around
As the day comes to an end, I am forced to confront my own isolation and loneliness

So this is freedom, so this is Freedom This is freedom, this is freedom This is free.
True freedom comes at a cost and may not bring the happiness we anticipate.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRAD DOUGLAS WARREN, BRETT DANIEL WARREN, JAY JOYCE, STEPHEN LILES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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