Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".
Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.
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Los Angeles
Phosphorescent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everybody's all here
I'm closing my eyes
Till the colours appear
Oh me oh my
Ain't it funny up here
To stand in the light
Said I ain't came to Los Angeles just to die
Are you getting a lot of attention now
Are you bleeding in every direction now
Are they covering you up with affection now
Are they giving you a lot of attention now
They told me my eyes
Would never be clearer
To hold on to mine
Make good money out here
They told me those lies
Just a grinning from ear to ear
They showed me a lie
They said "here is our offer, ain't it fine"
Are you getting a lot of attention now
Are you bleeding in every direction now
Are they covering you up with affection now
Are you getting a lot of attention now
The road is alive
With the trouble and fear
Frozen and blind
That's how they couple out here
And oh me oh my
They call me coloured up here
I looked in their eyes
Said I ain't came to Los Angeles, baby, just to die
Are you getting a lot of attention now
Are you bleeding in every direction ain't you now
Are they covering you up with affection ain't they now
Are you getting a lot of attention ain't you now
Phosphorescent's song "Los Angeles" is a commentary on the superficiality and facade of the entertainment industry in modern-day Los Angeles. The opening line "the road is alive" suggests that this city is very much a living, breathing entity, teeming with life and people. As the singer closes his eyes and tries to look beyond the surface level, he sees the true colors of the city. The line "to stand in the light" is ironic, because it suggests that people come to LA to be in the spotlight and be famous. However, the singer asserts that he did not come to LA just to die, implying that he is not interested in becoming another one of the countless people who come to the city to chase their dreams and end up being swallowed up by the industry.
The second verse further emphasizes the theme of the disillusionment of LA by suggesting that the singer was lied to about what the city had to offer. The line "they told me my eyes would never be clearer" suggests a false promise of clarity and enlightenment that the city offers, but ultimately fails to deliver. The mention of "covering up" and "affection" suggest that people in LA are not genuine and that their attention is fleeting and insincere.
Overall, "Los Angeles" offers a sharp critique of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and its superficiality. Rather than glorifying the city's reputation as a hub of fame and fortune, the song offers a sobering reminder that not everyone who comes to LA is able to achieve their dreams, and that the price of fame and attention is often shallow and empty.
Line by Line Meaning
The road is alive
The streets of Los Angeles are always bustling with activity.
And everybody's all here
There are a lot of people in Los Angeles.
I'm closing my eyes
The singer is taking a moment to relax and calm down.
Till the colours appear
The artist is waiting until they feel inspired or motivated.
Oh me oh my
The artist is expressing surprise or amazement.
Ain't it funny up here
The singer is commenting on how things are different in Los Angeles compared to where they're from.
To stand in the light
The singer is enjoying the spotlight or attention that comes with being in Los Angeles.
Said I ain't came to Los Angeles just to die
The artist is determined to make the most out of their time in Los Angeles and not just let life pass them by.
Are you getting a lot of attention now
The artist is asking someone else if they're popular or getting noticed.
Are you bleeding in every direction now
The artist is asking if the other person is overwhelmed with too many demands or requests.
Are they covering you up with affection now
The singer is asking if others are being nice to the other person or if they're receiving a lot of love and support.
They told me my eyes
Someone told the artist something about their eyes.
Would never be clearer
The person who spoke to the singer suggested that they wouldn't understand things as they really are.
To hold on to mine
The singer should try to keep their own perspective and not be swayed by others.
Make good money out here
The singer was promised that they could earn a lot of money in Los Angeles.
They told me those lies
The artist has come to realize that the promises made to them were not actually true.
Just a grinning from ear to ear
The person who misled the artist was grinning with mischievous delight.
They showed me a lie
The person who misled the singer showed them something that wasn't true, such as a false job offer.
They said "here is our offer, ain't it fine"
The person who misled the singer tried to get them excited about an offer that wasn't legitimate.
With the trouble and fear
The streets of Los Angeles can be dangerous and scary.
Frozen and blind
People in Los Angeles can be unfeeling and indifferent to others.
That's how they couple out here
The people in Los Angeles often only care about themselves and are unfriendly toward others.
They call me coloured up here
The singer is being treated differently in Los Angeles because of their race.
I looked in their eyes
The artist made direct eye contact with someone they interacted with.
Said I ain't came to Los Angeles, baby, just to die
The singer is reiterating that they want to make the most out of their time in Los Angeles and not simply let life pass them by.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW HOUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind