Her music is frequently labeled alternative country, although Case doesn't describe it in that way. She recorded and toured for several years as Neko Case & Her Boyfriends before switching to her own name. Case primarily writes her own material, but she also performs and has recorded cover versions of songs by artists such as Loretta Lynn, Tom Waits, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. She frequently infuses humorous narratives into her live sets, a habit she says she gained from her grandmother and Wanda Jackson.
She is protective of her artistic independence, combining punk's "do it yourself aesthetic," a strong business sense, and clear opinions about her artistic goals. She has spurned offers from major record labels because they don't offer her enough control of her music, remaining affiliated with Mint Records in Canada and Bloodshot and ANTI- in the U.S.
Though she grew up in the U.S., Case began her musical career in Canada. She lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, for several years, playing with a variety of local punk bands, most prominently cub and Maow, and recording her first country album. She frequently collaborates with Canadian musicians, including The New Pornographers, The Sadies and Carolyn Mark, and has recorded material by several noted Canadian songwriters, notably on her 2001 EP Canadian Amp. As a result, she is a significant figure in Canadian music, and even U.S. media have sometimes referred to Case as Canadian.
I'll Be Around
Neko Case and Her Boyfriends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the bright lights
Pace that's killing
And you're willing
To stay home nights
When your feet are back
On the solid ground
Look for me
When the new crowd
Starts to bore you
Just remember
There is someone
To adore you
When you're weary of
Nights up on the town
Look for me
I'll be around
May not seem exciting
The way those others do
I'm emotion
My devotion
You will need
Someday as I need you
When the kicks go
That it brings you
You will hanker
For an anchor
Just to cling to
When you've lived it up
'Til it's got you down
Look for me
Look for me
Look for me
I'll be around
Neko Case's song "Look for Me" is a poignant message of fidelity and steadfastness. The lyrics depict a lover who promises an unwavering presence, even when the glamour and exhilaration of big-city life finally lose their grip. The refrain "Look for me, I'll be around" assures the listener that, amid the hustle and bustle of the city, a loyal and reliable presence is waiting at home.
The first stanza portrays an exhaustive city life, full of bright lights and a fast pace. While the milieu may be exciting at first, it can also be overwhelming, leaving one exhausted and yearning for a quiet place to rest. The singer advises listeners that whenever they are tired of such a lifestyle and want to stay home, they should look for the singer because she will be there. Through the second stanza, Neko Case emphasizes the importance of not forgetting to stay grounded and composed even when one has progressed in life. She assures her beloved that even when they're sick and tired of the city's trendy places, there will always be one person waiting for him in their humble home - herself. Finally, the third stanza speaks about how when the rush and thrill of the city finally dissipate, people will yearn for a reliable support system, someone to anchor them in life's storm. In these moments, the singer beckons, "Look for me, I'll be around."
One of the interesting facts about the song is that it was released by Neko Case's band, 'Neko Case and Her Boyfriends' in 2000, featured on their third album titled 'Furnace Room Lullaby.'. However, the song was also included on Neko Case's 2004 album titled 'The Tigers Have Spoken.' Additionally, the song's lyrics borrow from a 1952 Doris Day track, "When I Fall in Love," particularly the line "You will need me someday as I need you." In 2006, Case performed "Look For Me" in a duet with Canadian country singer k.d. Lang. The song then appeared on Lang's 2008 album, 'Watershed.'
Another interesting fact is that Neko Case herself has said that this song is special to her because she typically doesn't write love songs. She wanted to write a love song without losing her individuality, and that's how "Look for Me" was born. The music video for "Look For Me" was done by Canadian artists Julie Flett and Amber Goodwyn, who visualized the song's simplicity aptly, featuring a woman in a wintry landscape. The video shows the singer’s reflection on her life. Moreover, the song was named one of the top ten alt-country love songs ever recorded by Rolling Stone magazine.
Finally, the chord progression of “Look for Me” is a relatively simple one, and it mostly remains unchanged throughout the song. The verse starts with a G chord before moving to an E minor chord. The pre-chorus utilizes the chords C major and D sus4, while the refrain primarily uses the chords G major, D major, and C major.
Chords (if Known):
Verse: G, E minor
Pre-chorus: C, D sus4
Refrain: G, D, C.
Line by Line Meaning
When you tire of
When you become exhausted from
All the bright lights
The flashy, exciting things that once captured your attention
Pace that's killing
The excessively busy and stressful lifestyle that is draining you
And you're willing
When you are ready and open
To stay home nights
To spend your evenings at home
When your feet are back
When you have returned
On the solid ground
To a stable and secure state of being
Look for me
Seek me out
I'll be around
I'll be there for you
When the new crowd
When a group of new people emerge
Starts to bore you
When the newness wears off and they become dull
Just remember
Don't forget
There is someone
There exists a person
To adore you
To love and cherish you
When you're weary of
When you are tired of
Nights up on the town
The evenings spent out in the city
May not seem exciting
I may not appear to be as thrilling
The way those others do
As the flashy individuals that you are used to
I'm emotion
I am defined by my feelings
My devotion
My dedication and loyalty
You will need
You will require
Someday as I need you
Just as I need you now
When the kicks go
When the excitement fades away
That it brings you
That was initially thrilling
You will hanker
You will long for
For an anchor
For something to hold onto
Just to cling to
To rely on and trust in
When you've lived it up
After you have indulged in everything
'Til it's got you down
Until it has taken a toll on you
Look for me
Seek me out
Look for me
Seek me out
Look for me
Seek me out
I'll be around
I'll be there for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Guy B. Wood, Sylvia Dee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
oscararborist
I like this one better than the studio/album version.
Brian F
Man that guitar work is as good as it gets. Unreal really.
Dinero Roberto
God that’s beautiful
Jessica Leigh
Exquisite.
Tim Mannie
Sublime
Soul Slurper
I am still thrilled she cussed me out and threw a beer on me all those years ago
trekkie1981
Da faq?
Moira Russell
Perfect.
Sergio'sJ Online Work - Srđan Jović - SFT21
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
J Lansdale
Even live. Even live.