The album is as eclectic as Oren’s home bases of Tel Aviv, Israel (where he was born), Berlin Germany (where he recorded the album), and Los Angeles, CA (the home of his new label). It was released in Europe and immediately garnered great press with Uncut raving in a four-star review that the album is “cinematic and mellow, like Nick Drake in a cheerful summer bonnet…”
Many people in the US will be familiar with Oren’s music as his album track ‘Her Morning Elegance’ was featured in a national ad campaign for Chevy Malibu. He also wrote the end credit “A Dance ‘Round the Memory Tree” for the film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian joining Regina Spektor and Hanne Hukkelberg on the soundtrack.
Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, Oren began his creative journey as a playwright. At the age of 21 he wrote and directed a play for the Israeli Fringe Theater Festival, which won the awards for best newcomer writer and director. He later moved to London on a scholarship to attend the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. While still at school he wrote a play he later directed in an Off West-end theater to critical acclaim. The production was named by Time-Out London as one of the best 5 shows in London during its run. Oren moved to NY where he gradually began to shift his focus from playwriting to a shorter form of storytelling, the song. Two years later he relocated to Berlin and began work on The Opposite Side of The Sea.
In 2007 the album was released in Europe, then found its way to the KCRW playlist in LA. Shortly after that the album track ‘Her Morning Elegance’ was synched to a Chevrolet Malibu TV campaign. Oren, who does not own a television and has not driven a car for 10 years, continues to ride the bus. With the earnings from the TV ad he started his own label in the US, named it, then renamed it, changed it again and finally decided to call it Quarter Past Wonderful. He then released The Opposite Side Of The Sea on iTunes US, where it climbed to #30 on the charts.
Oren Lavie's music doesn't come right at you through the front door; its elliptical nature is mysterious and dense and remains slightly unresolved. His vignettes of life are heartbreaking. One can hear his playwright past in his narratives as his songs unfold like a collection of short stories in musical poetic form.
http://www.orenlavie.com/
SECOND HAND LOVERS
Oren Lavie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a shot off your drawer on the floor
Then you crawl to the bedroom
But we stop back to dull conversations grow old
You and I, we have not tell a word and while
I'm losing my humour
You're losing your smile
The moon betrays us
And the dark end covers us
And under the covers,
Like second hand lovers tonight
Seasons and sorrows and pictures we took
You stop smoking, I'm reading a book
I'm losing my vision
You're losing your looks
And the music plays better, plays sweet
To let your hair down your own heart, you sit
And you crawl to the bed
But it's not bad as it seems
And the night portrays us,
The moon betrays us
And the dark end covers us
And under the covers,
Like second hand lovers tonight
Something about my voice
Reminds you of
Something I used to say
You used to love
And the night portrays us
The piano plays us
And the dark end covers us
And under the covers
Like second hand lovers tonight
The song "Second Hand Lovers" by Oren Lavie touches on the theme of a fading relationship. It suggests that despite the fact that the two individuals involved in the relationship do not communicate as much as they used to, there is still something that binds them together. The first verse describes a night where the couple listens to music they have listened to before, they take shots, move to the bedroom but find themselves engaging in dull conversations instead of intimacy. While one is losing their humor, the other is losing their smile, indicating a lack of enthusiasm in the relationship. The second verse highlights the changes that have taken place in the relationship, including one partner stopping smoking while the other reads a book. The music plays better and sweeter, but what is left is just the memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Listening to music we've heard once before
Recalling memories with you by listening to songs that we both heard earlier
Take a shot off your drawer on the floor
Drinking alcohol to enjoy the moment and forget our worries
Then you crawl to the bedroom
Going to the bedroom to spend some intimate moments with each other
But we stop back to dull conversations grow old
Returning to reality and feeling bored with the usual conversations we have
You and I, we have not tell a word and while
Being silent, not having anything to talk about, and passing the time aimlessly
I'm losing my humour
Losing the spark and the ability to keep things light-hearted by making jokes
You're losing your smile
Losing the eagerness to express happiness and joy
And the night portrays us,
The moon betrays us
And the dark end covers us
And under the covers,
Like second hand lovers tonight
Describing the feeling of being together in the moment, but knowing it won't last long and that we're not each other's first choice
Seasons and sorrows and pictures we took
Reminiscing about the past and the moments we shared through the different seasons of the year
You stop smoking, I'm reading a book
Changing our habits and routines, but still finding ways to be together
I'm losing my vision
Losing the clarity of the present moment due to distractions and worries
You're losing your looks
Losing the physical attraction and appeal we once had for each other
And the music plays better, plays sweet
Finding solace in the music that's playing and enjoying the moment
To let your hair down your own heart, you sit
And you crawl to the bed
But it's not bad as it seems
Retreating to the comforts of our bed, where we feel safe and secure, even though our situation may not be ideal
Something about my voice
Reminds you of
Something I used to say
You used to love
Finding familiarity and comfort in each other's presence, and remembering the things we used to do together
And the night portrays us
The piano plays us
And the dark end covers us
And under the covers
Like second hand lovers tonight
Reiterating the feeling of being together in the moment, but this time, with the added metaphor of the piano playing us, as though we're just instruments to be played with
Writer(s): Oren Lavie
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chiana Timbori R Marak
Listening to music
We’ve heard once before
You take your shirt off
You drop on the floor
Then you crawl to the bedroom
But you stop at the door
Conversations grow old
You and I
We have not said a word
In a while
I’m losing my humor
You’re losing your smile
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying second hand lovers
Tonight
Seasons and sorrows
And pictures we took
You’ll start smoking
I’m reading a book
I’m losing my vision,
You’re losing your looks
And the music
Plays bitter, plays sweet
You let your hair down
And roll off your seat
And you crawl to the bed,
but you stop at its feet
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying second hand lovers
Tonight
Something about my voice
Reminds you of
Something I used to say
You used to love
And the night portrays us
The piano plays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying second hand lovers
Tonight
Amit Bloom
Listening to music
We’ve heard once before
You take your shirt off
You drop on the floor
Then you crawl to the bedroom
But you stop at the door
Conversations grow old, you and I
We have not said a word in a while
I’m losing my humor
You’re losing your smile
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
[Verse 2]
Seasons and sorrows
And pictures we took
You’ll start smoking I’m reading a book
I’m losing my vision, You’re losing yours looks
And the music
Plays bitter, plays sweet
You let your hair down
And roll off your seat
And you crawl to the bed, but you stop at its feet
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
[Bridge]
Something about my voice
Reminds you of
Something I used to say
You used to love
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The piano plays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
Ann Cha
[Verse 1]
Listening to music
We’ve heard once before
You take your shirt off
You drop on the floor
Then you crawl to the bedroom
But you stop at the door
Conversations grow old, you and I
We have not said a word in a while
I’m losing my humor
You’re losing your smile
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
[Verse 2]
Seasons and sorrows
And pictures we took
You’ll start smoking I’m reading a book
I’m losing my vision, You’re losing yours looks
And the music
Plays bitter, plays sweet
You let your hair down
And roll off your seat
And you crawl to the bed, but you stop at its feet
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The moon betrays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
[Bridge]
Something about my voice
Reminds you of
Something I used to say
You used to love
[Chorus]
And the night portrays us
The piano plays us
And the dark uncovers us
And under the covers
Lying Second hand lovers tonight
Mesoma Valikpe
Breathtaking. Period. Sometimes, the ghosts of our past relationships haunt our present. Poignant stuff indeed.
Lita lsumu
yes...
:Death.NoneExistentChannel
Present is an illusion
S. Waters
I would erase certain past lovers from my memories if I could.
Miklós Suhaj
This is art. I'm just sitting here and I'm trying to find the correct words to explain my feelings. Oren, THANK YOU!
Dave Clarke
Oren, I stumbled upon "Her morning elegance" 10 years ago on youtube, and it was such a fitting song for the time my girlfriend and I were going through. 10 years later, I came upon this one. Fitting once again. You're brilliant. Incredible words, and a richness in music composition and timbre. My apologies for not commenting 10 years ago. Such a clever, sad, true, song. It's so difficult starting a new relationship, especially as years tick on over, with all the echoes of the previous partners, and constant reminders of those in daily life. Well done. Thanks.
gho5tface88
Everyone who's been through lots of relationships and is looking for the true love can relate to this...
Sarah Hamed
ted mosby
silntwaves
I haven't been single since I was 12
Hissashi Rocha
Simply amazing, Oren! Your art is as deep as the ocean and reaches galaxies. Wonderful!
Best wishes from Brazil.