Growing up in Queens, New York, singer-songwriter Neah Lee was shaped by a rich mosaic of experiences, much of which influences her music today. Being born to parents who valued and integrated music and spirituality, Lee had an early thirst for music that would move souls. As early as the age of two, you would find her standing on furniture conducting to the music only heard in her head. Over the years, Lee's music and song writing became highly influenced by songwriters like Lauryn Hill, Jeff Buckley, and Derek Webb, who introduced her to a kind of song writing that was raw, vulnerable, and courageous. To capture the poverty, brokenness, and pain was as equally important to Lee, as in capturing the beauty and hope within her songs....or else Lee felt like a fraud to her listeners. This soul searching and wrestling birthed songs that Lee started performing in coffee houses and open mics around the tri-state area. Soon after, she caught the attention of independent singer-songwriter and producer Koo Chung, who immediately asked her to open for his CD release concert after hearing her perform. Lee was then invited to join Koo’s music label, BrokenforGood Records, where she went on two national tours and opening for musicians such as David Barnes and Monk & Neagle.
Lee has recorded and released two albums, ((In)significance (6/5/03) and Without Wax (1/25/05). When her label disbanded, Lee took a hiatus from recording and touring to focus on school and her other passions. Lee then returned on July 4th of 2009, revealing to the world different side to her sound, by releasing a self-produced and self-titled EP - "Neah Lee, the EP."
Lee currently works and lives in Orange County, CA.
Fade
Neah Lee Lyrics
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What you see isn¡¯t what you get
I can¡¯t play these roles anymore
Can¡¯t hide myself with you in that comfortable hole
Frankly I find it hard to see
Hiding underneath all these sheets
Am I so used not being me
I¡¯m starting to wonder where I am
Plan my escape from reality, make myself disappear
Come and open up my doors and clean out these fears
Can¡¯t stay hidden by the light, can¡¯t stay living by a lie
Carry me over these walls
I¡¯m not willing to climb
Climb
My shadow¡¯s cast in the light
But soon it begins to fade out of sight
Don¡¯t worry about these tearful eyes
It takes time to adjust to reality
Can we stop this masquerade and take time for being
Sometimes we think we¡¯re so high
We need to fall to see we¡¯re not
And sometimes we have to ask is that really you
If you can¡¯t tell whoever will
And when we think we¡¯re alone in this endeavor to be fine
It¡¯s funny to see we¡¯re all together, together in this line
The lyrics of Neah Lee's song "Fade" are introspective and speak to the artist's personal journey of self-discovery and the need to break free from societal expectations.
The first verse expresses the artist's desire to reveal their true self and move away from playing certain roles. They feel the need to be authentic and not hide their true identity anymore. The mention of a "comfortable hole" implies that staying hidden and conforming to expectations is no longer satisfactory.
In the next lines, the artist talks about the struggle of finding their true self amongst the layers of pretense and deception. They question whether they have become so accustomed to not being themselves that they have lost sight of who they truly are. The repetition of the line "I wonder where I am" highlights their confusion and the need for self-discovery.
The chorus talks about the artist's desire to escape from their current reality and disappear. They want to free themselves from their fears and open themselves up to new experiences. The mention of "cleaning out these fears" suggests a desire for a fresh start and emotional cleansing. The artist acknowledges that they cannot continue hiding or living a lie, and they need help to overcome the obstacles preventing them from moving forward.
The second verse continues with the theme of breaking free from hiding and pretending. The artist's shadow represents the parts of themselves that they have been keeping hidden in the light. However, the shadow eventually fades, symbolizing their struggle to keep up the facade. The artist reassures the listener that the tears in their eyes are a natural part of adjusting to reality.
The bridge emphasizes the importance of facing reality and questioning one's own identity. It suggests that being high or self-assured can blind us from the need to humble ourselves and question our true selves. The artist encourages others to be honest about who they really are and seek guidance if they are unsure. The lines about being alone but also being together in this line highlight the universality of the journey towards self-discovery and the shared human experience of trying to find one's genuine self.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "Fade" by Neah Lee portray a personal journey of self-discovery, the desire to break free from societal expectations, and the need for authenticity. The artist questions their own identity and expresses the importance of facing reality and seeking one's true self. The song ultimately reminds listeners that they are not alone in this journey, as we are all together in the pursuit of finding our genuine selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon me but I¡¯ve got to confess
I need to tell the truth
What you see isn¡¯t what you get
I'm not who I appear to be
I can¡¯t play these roles anymore
I can't pretend to be someone I'm not
Can¡¯t hide myself with you in that comfortable hole
I can't continue to conceal my true self in our safe space
Frankly I find it hard to see
Honestly, I struggle to see clearly
Hiding underneath all these sheets
Concealing myself behind layers of lies
Am I so used not being me
Have I become accustomed to not being true to myself
I¡¯m starting to wonder where I am
I'm questioning my own identity
I wonder where I am
I am uncertain about my current state
Plan my escape from reality, make myself disappear
I want to get away from the real world, vanish from sight
Come and open up my doors and clean out these fears
Please help me face my fears and overcome them
Can¡¯t stay hidden by the light, can¡¯t stay living by a lie
I cannot continue to hide in plain sight, pretending to be someone I'm not
Carry me over these walls
Support me as I overcome these obstacles
I¡¯m not willing to climb
I'm reluctant to face the challenges head-on
My shadow¡¯s cast in the light
My presence is visible in the bright spotlight
But soon it begins to fade out of sight
However, it gradually disappears from view
Don¡¯t worry about these tearful eyes
There's no need to be concerned about my crying
It takes time to adjust to reality
It requires time to adapt to the truth
Can we stop this masquerade and take time for being
Let's end this charade and focus on being true to ourselves
Sometimes we think we¡¯re so high
At times, we believe we are superior or invulnerable
We need to fall to see we¡¯re not
We must experience failure to realize our vulnerability
And sometimes we have to ask is that really you
Occasionally, we question if someone's true self is being portrayed
If you can¡¯t tell whoever will
If you can't recognize, anyone will be able to see
And when we think we¡¯re alone in this endeavor to be fine
And when we believe we are isolated in our pursuit of happiness
It¡¯s funny to see we¡¯re all together, together in this line
It's ironic to realize that we are all connected, facing similar struggles
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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