Madeleine Peyroux is a jazz singer who was born in 1974 in Athens, Georgia,… Read Full Bio ↴Madeleine Peyroux is a jazz singer who was born in 1974 in Athens, Georgia, USA, and raised in New York City and Paris, France. She is noted for her vocal style, which is highly reminiscent of Billie Holiday. Madeleine also has qualities similar to Ella Fitzgerald. Though Peyroux may remind some listeners of Holiday, there are differences, and she has her own sense of phrasing and interpretation.

Peyroux started singing at the age of fifteen, when she discovered street musicians in the Latin Quarter in Paris. She joined a group called the Riverboat Shufflers, first passing round the hat, and then singing. At sixteen she joined the The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band, spending two years touring Europe performing songs by the likes of Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, which provided the basis for her first album, Dreamland.

Dreamland was released in 1996, and gained widespread attention. Time called it "the most exciting, involving vocal performance by a new singer this year". Dreamland, is a brilliant recording, as Peyroux's distinctive voice is not hindered by overly intricate arrangements. Most of the accompaniment on the record is light and sparse, the way it should be for a singer with such a unique voice. Peyroux soon found herself opening for Sarah McLachlan and Cesária Évora, and made appearances at jazz festivals and on the Lilith Fair tour.

In May 2002 she joined multi-instrumentalist William Galison, and together they appeared at such venues as the Bottom Line, Joe's Pub, and the Tin Angel. In 2003 the duo released a seven-song EP entitled Got You on My Mind, which they sold at shows and online. Got You on My Mind was re-released by William Galison in August 2004; the original EP was expanded by the addition of four tracks by Gallison.

Peyroux released her own sophomore effort, Careless Love, in September 2004. The album received generally positive reviews.

Her new album, Half the Perfect World, was released on September 12, 2006. She collaborated with several artists, including Jesse Harris, Walter Becker, Larry Klein (who also produced the album), and K.d. lang, with whom Peyroux duets on a cover of the Joni Mitchell song, "River".

On July 12, 2007, she was awarded Best International Jazz Artist at the BBC Jazz Awards.

The Ghosts of Tomorrow
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics

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Here we are
Gathered here
Dressed in our finest drinking whiskey and beer
Gathered to pay tribute
To the Ghosts of a Tomorrow
That never comes

Hey bartender

Put that bottle down
My head's already spinning way too fast around
But I'll make one final toast
To the Ghosts of a Tomorrow
That never comes

May you all be healthy
May you all be strong
May you always find yourself where you belong
May your adventures take you there
When the troubles come may you be spared

Now I never watch the time
But time is watching me
I've had enough of running from my memories If I stay here I'll be one

Of the Ghosts of a Tomorrow
That never comes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Madeleine Peyroux's song "The Ghosts of Tomorrow" depict a poignant gathering of individuals, seemingly at a social event or bar, dressed elegantly and partaking in whiskey and beer. The singer addresses the bartender to halt the pouring of more alcohol, indicating that their head is already spinning from the intoxication. Despite this, they proceed to raise a toast in honor of the "Ghosts of a Tomorrow" that never materialize. This concept alludes to unfulfilled hopes and dreams, a future that remains elusive and unrealized.

The singer then extends well wishes to the crowd, expressing desires for their health, strength, and the ability to find their rightful place in the world. It is a sentiment that conveys a sense of camaraderie and support, hoping that each person present will navigate their journey with resilience and grace. The lyrics evoke a sense of empathy and unity, recognizing the shared vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in the human experience.

As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the inexorable passage of time and their own struggle to confront their past. The lyrics suggest a weariness with avoiding memories and a desire to confront them head-on. By staying in the present moment, the singer acknowledges the possibility of becoming one of the "Ghosts of a Tomorrow," trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities. It is a contemplation on the consequences of inertia and the importance of seizing the present to avoid being lost in a perpetual state of longing for a future that never arrives.

In essence, "The Ghosts of Tomorrow" encapsulates themes of nostalgia, resilience, and self-awareness. The lyrics convey a sense of poignancy and reflection, inviting listeners to consider the fragility of time and the imperative of embracing the present. The song serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we have, to confront our past with courage, and to strive for a future that is not defined by regrets and missed chances. It is a poignant meditation on the complexities of human existence, urging us to live fully in each moment rather than languishing in the specter of unfulfilled tomorrows.

Line by Line Meaning

Here we are
All of us are present in this moment

Gathered here
Assembled together in this space

Dressed in our finest drinking whiskey and beer
We are dressed up, enjoying alcoholic drinks

Gathered to pay tribute
Come together to honor and remember

To the Ghosts of a Tomorrow
Reflecting on unfulfilled future possibilities

That never comes
That remain unrealized

Hey bartender
Addressing the bar staff

Put that bottle down
Stop serving drinks

My head's already spinning way too fast around
Feeling dizzy or overwhelmed

But I'll make one final toast
Still honoring the occasion

May you all be healthy
Wishing wellness for everyone

May you all be strong
Hoping for strength

May you always find yourself where you belong
Seeking fulfillment and purpose

May your adventures take you there
Wishing for exciting experiences

When the troubles come may you be spared
Hoping to avoid difficulties

Now I never watch the time
Not concerned with the passage of time

But time is watching me
Awareness of mortality or regrets

I've had enough of running from my memories
Tired of avoiding the past

If I stay here I'll be one
Recognizing the potential outcome

Of the Ghosts of a Tomorrow
Being stuck in unfulfilled aspirations

That never comes
That remain out of reach

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRIAN S MACLEOD, DAVID FRANCIS BAERWALD, LAWRENCE KLEIN, MEDELLEINE PEYROUX, PATRICK WARREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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