Nathan Johnson is an American composer, musician and producer. He is also l… Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Johnson is an American composer, musician and producer. He is also lead singer and director of The Cinematic Underground. In 2005 he earned acclaim by composing the score for the award-winning independent film Brick, which was written and directed by his cousin, Rian Johnson. Nathan then composed the score for Rian's second film, The Brothers Bloom, which was released in 2009. Rian and Nathan also write and record as The Preserves.

Performer/composer discography:
* Meet the Preserves (unknown) [as The Preserves]
* In Search of the Flip (1999) [solo]
* Annasthesia (2003) [as The Cinematic Underground]
* Brick (2005) [Film score]
* The Brothers Bloom (2009) [Film score]
* Morgan M. Morgansen's Date With Destiny (2010) [Film score]
* The Zeppelin Zoo (2010) [Film score]
* The Day I Saw Your Heart (2011) [Film score]
* My Antagonist (2011) [as Faux Fix]
* Looper (2012) [Film score]

Producer discography:
* The Cinematic Underground - Annasthesia (2003)
* Nathan Johnson - Brick Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2005)
* Katie Chastain - Firecracker (2007)
* Zut Alors - Torr (2008)
* Nathan Johnson - The Brothers Bloom Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2009)
* New Volunteer - Remote Control Parade (2010)
* The New Time - And Incomplete History (2010)
* Andrea Ball - Dial Tone (2010)
* Nathan Johnson - The Day I Saw Your Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2011)
* Faux Fix - My Antagonist (2011)
* Nathan Johnson - Looper Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2012)
* New Volunteer - TBA (2012)

The Fabulist
Nathan Johnson Lyrics

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You came to me
In the hospital ward when I blew out my knee
But I wasn't there to be cared for or carried
'Cause I was asleep
In my bed, in my house at the end of our srteet
While you drove across town at 3: 00 in the morning
It was fake
For the sake

Of making you take me for real
But I guess you're even less impressed
If the world is a stage
And we're all of us actors in some cosmic play
I am the man at the masquerade
Who was fake
For the sake
Of making you take me for real
But I guess you're even less impressed
I keep trying to paint a picture
'Cause what I drew
Could be improved
If I could make you see
More flame than flicker
These half-truths
Could be improved
With less of me
And more you
Believe what I speak

At least just keep
Speaking to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nathan Johnson's song The Fabulist tell the story of a man who endeavours to impress someone by being someone he is not. He paints himself as the hero of his own story, someone who overcomes adversity by reaching out for help during his times of need. However, the reality of the situation is that there was no adversity to overcome, and the help was not needed at all. The man is seen as a fake and a liar, even by those he seeks to impress.

The man in the story is in search of validation through the eyes of others, trying to make himself appear as something he is not, even creating false circumstances to appear heroic. However, in reality, the man is more like an actor in a play, using costumes and masks to create his desired character. But despite his efforts, he remains unimpressive, and the world sees him for what he truly is: a charlatan.

Overall, Nathan Johnson's lyrics describe the internal struggles of someone who seeks validation through being someone they are not — a common problem for many individuals in today's society. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and being comfortable in one's own skin, rather than seeking external validation through deceit and pretense.

Line by Line Meaning

You came to me
You approached me

In the hospital ward when I blew out my knee
I was in the hospital because of my injured knee

But I wasn't there to be cared for or carried
But I didn't need help, I was just there

'Cause I was asleep
Because I was fast asleep

In my bed, in my house at the end of our street
I was sleeping in my house, which was located at the end of the street

While you drove across town at 3:00 in the morning
At 3:00 AM, you were driving across town to reach me

It was fake
It was not real

For the sake
For the purpose

Of making you take me for real
To give the impression that I am real

But I guess you're even less impressed
But I suppose I have not impressed you more

If the world is a stage
If the universe is a performance