Born in Oxford, England, Lewis grew up in a family of teachers with two brothers, an older brother named Tom and a twin brother named George. His passion for music began at the age of 13 when he started playing the guitar. However, it was only later, after joining his brothers' band, that he began singing. Lewis attended Bartholomew School in Eynsham and also worked as a 'dinner lady' at Cokethorpe School. At the age of 19, he moved to London to study at the London Centre of Contemporary Music.
Lewis initially started writing songs and performing under the moniker Rhys Lewis & the Relics. His talent caught the attention of Decca Records, which led to the release of his debut solo single, "Waking Up Without You," in late 2016. Over the next year, he released several successful singles, including "Be Your Man" and "Reason to Hate You," gaining millions of streams. Lewis embarked on tours with James TW and JP Cooper during this time.
In 2018, Lewis released his major-label debut, the Bad Timing EP, which further solidified his growing fan base. The EP showcased his soul and blues influences, with his distinctive singing style and guitar skills shining through. Lewis continued to release a string of successful singles in 2019, setting the stage for his debut album, Things I Chose to Remember, which was released in July 2020. The album stands out as it was recorded on analogue tape, a deliberate choice by Lewis to ensure meticulous attention to detail and clarity in the music.
Lewis draws inspiration from artists such as Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, whose lyrics resonated with him as a songwriter. He also cites influences from Led Zeppelin and Bill Withers, particularly the latter's song "Lean On Me."
His songwriting covers various aspects of his life, addressing topics such as the portrayal of men in the media, mental health, and personal relationships. Many of his songs revolve around themes of heartbreak, including "When Was The Last Time," "Be Your Man," and "Hurting." Lewis finds performing his song "No Right To Love You" particularly challenging due to its connection to a personal heartbreak, as it evokes intense emotions and memories associated with the breakup.
Things You Can't Change
Rhys Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you've worn it down
You've dyed it blonde
But your roots are brown
And you've asked me now
A thousand times
What I prefer 'cause you can't decide
There'll be no changing my mind
'Cause I want you for the worse and for the better
It's all you do but you don't realize
Yeah, I love you for you, babe
For all the things you can't change
You won't sit still
And you're always late
And you talk through films
But I like the way you say what's on your mind
Even when you try to stop yourself
But can you tell that
I want you for the worse and for the better
It's all you do but you don't realize
Yeah, I love you for you, babe
For all the things you can't change
Yeah, I love you for you, babe, yeah
For all the things you can't change
The truth is whatever you do I, ooh, I know
There'll be no changing my mind
'Cause I want you for the worse and for the better
It's all you do but you don't realize
That I love you for you, babe
For all the things you can't change
I love you for you, baby
For all the things you can't change
I love you for you, baby
For all the things you can't change
In Rhys Lewis's song "Things You Can't Change," the lyrics portray a deep and unwavering love for someone, despite their flaws and insecurities. The song opens with the lines, "You've tied it back and you've worn it down, you've dyed it blonde, but your roots are brown." These lines metaphorically represent the ways in which the person tries to change themselves, perhaps to conform to societal standards or fit a certain image, but their true nature and essence remain unchanged. The dissatisfaction with their appearance is further emphasized in the line, "And you've asked me now a thousand times, what I prefer 'cause you can't decide," suggesting that the person seeks validation and acceptance from others but struggles to find it within themselves.
The chorus of the song solidifies the message of unconditional love. The singer declares, "I want you for the worse and for the better, it's all you do but you don't realize, yeah, I love you for you, babe, for all the things you can't change." Despite the person's tendency to be restless, late, and unable to control their impulses, the singer embraces them wholeheartedly. The repetition of the line "I love you for you, baby, for all the things you can't change" emphasizes the singer's unwavering acceptance and appreciation of the person.
Line by Line Meaning
You've tied it back
You have restrained it
And you've worn it down
And you have damaged it through use
You've dyed it blonde
You have altered its color to blonde
But your roots are brown
But your natural color is brown
And you've asked me now
And now you have inquired of me
A thousand times
Many times over
What I prefer 'cause you can't decide
What my preference is because you are unable to make a decision
The truth is whatever you do I, ooh, I know
The fact is that regardless of what you do, I already know
There'll be no changing my mind
It is impossible to change my viewpoint
'Cause I want you for the worse and for the better
Because I desire you in both good and bad times
It's all you do but you don't realize
It's everything you do, but you are unaware
Yeah, I love you for you, babe
Yes, I love you for your true self, darling
For all the things you can't change
For all the aspects about yourself that you are unable to alter
You won't sit still
You refuse to stay seated
And you're always late
And you are consistently tardy
And you talk through films
And you speak during movies
But I like the way you say what's on your mind
But I appreciate how you express your thoughts openly
Even when you try to stop yourself
Even when you make an effort to restrain yourself
But can you tell that
But are you aware that
That I want you for the worse and for the better
That I desire you in both good and bad times
It's all you do but you don't realize
It's everything you do, but you are unaware
That I love you for you, babe
That I love you for your true self, darling
For all the things you can't change
For all the aspects about yourself that you are unable to alter
The truth is whatever you do I, ooh, I know
The fact is that regardless of what you do, I already know
There'll be no changing my mind
It is impossible to change my viewpoint
'Cause I want you for the worse and for the better
Because I desire you in both good and bad times
It's all you do but you don't realize
It's everything you do, but you are unaware
That I love you for you, babe
That I love you for your true self, darling
For all the things you can't change
For all the aspects about yourself that you are unable to alter
I love you for you, baby
I love you for your true self, my dear
For all the things you can't change
For all the aspects about yourself that you are unable to alter
I love you for you, baby
I love you for your true self, my dear
For all the things you can't change
For all the aspects about yourself that you are unable to alter
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam Stuart Argyle, Andrew Jackson, Rhys Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind