Rhys Lewis, born on March 18, 1991, is a British singer-songwriter and mult… Read Full Bio ↴Rhys Lewis, born on March 18, 1991, is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his soul-inflected singing style and bluesy approach to the guitar. He is signed to Decca Records.

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.

Wish I Was Sober
Rhys Lewis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest

I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober, sober

Stumbling home, stumbling home like I got heavy feet
I am feeling low, I'm feeling low just like my battery
So I better call, I better call you up before it dies
I don't want to wait, yeah I got to say
Before the morning creeps up and my courage runs dry

Your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober, sober

But I gotta ask, for a second chance
Yeah I gotta ask, will you take me back, take me back

Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, you're already gone

Your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're already gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober

I wish I was sober
I wish I was sober

Overall Meaning

The song "Wish I Was Sober" by Rhys Lewis is a story of regret and missed opportunities. The song talks about a time where the singer assumed that the person they were interested in could read their mind and understand their feelings without them having to express it. However, this assumption turned out to be wrong as the person ended up leaving without ever knowing how the singer felt about them. The song expresses that the singer wishes they could have been sober and able to express their true feelings before it was too late.

The chorus of the song talks about the missed opportunity and the regret the singer feels. They wish they had told the person how they felt about them and how their love could take their breath away. The line, "You make my heart beat out of my chest," is an expression of the intensity of the feelings the singer had for the person. However, it was too late, and the person had already left, leaving the singer to deal with their regret and the inability to drink away the memories of the missed opportunity.

The second verse of the song talks about the singer's attempts to reach out to the person before they're gone forever. They realize that they're running out of time and need to express their feelings before it's too late. The line, "Before the morning creeps up and my courage runs dry," expresses the urgency that the singer feels to talk to the person. The song ends with the singer asking for a second chance and wondering if the person will take them back.

Overall, "Wish I Was Sober" is a melancholy song that speaks to the missed chances and the regret that can come with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh, ah-ah
The sound of realization and regret for not expressing one's true feelings.

Oh oh, I never said
Acknowledging that one never spoke up about their true feelings.

I never said in an amount of time, I just assumed
Not specifying how much time has passed since the missed opportunity, but recognizing the mistake was caused by assumptions.

I just assumed that you could read my mind, god I am amazed
Regretting the belief that the other person could read their thoughts, realizing that it was a naive and foolish assumption.

The rest of the bar didn't proof me right
Feeling embarrassed that the rest of the public did not witness a positive outcome from their assumption.

I thought that you knew
Mistakenly thinking that the other person could tell how they felt without direct communication.

I thought that you can see
Believing that the other person could perceive their true feelings without vocalization.

That your love can take my breath
Acknowledging the impact the other person's love has on them.

I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Expressing regret over not vocalizing one's true feelings and intentions.

You make my heart beat out of my chest
Describing the physical symptoms that the other person elicits in them.

Too late, too late, it's over, over
Lamenting the fact that the opportunity to express one's emotions has passed, and the relationship is now over.

Too late, too late, you're gone
Further emphasizing the sense of loss and regret over the failed relationship.

I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober, sober
Acknowledging the difficulty of moving on from the failed relationship, wishing for a clear mind to process one's emotions.

Stumbling home, stumbling home like I got heavy feet
Describing the physical and emotional state of feeling weighed down and disoriented.

I am feeling low, I'm feeling low just like my battery
Comparing one's emotional energy to a low battery, indicating a sense of depletion and exhaustion.

So I better call, I better call you up before it dies
Realizing the urgency of reaching out to the other person before their emotional energy completely depletes.

I don't want to wait, yeah I got to say
Acknowledging the need to speak up and express oneself sooner rather than later.

Before the morning creeps up and my courage runs dry
Feeling a sense of urgency to make their feelings clear before fear or doubt takes over again.

But I gotta ask, for a second chance
Expressing the desire for another opportunity to make things right and try again.

Yeah I gotta ask, will you take me back, take me back
Asking for forgiveness and an opportunity to rekindle the failed relationship.

Too late, you're already gone
Acknowledging that the other person has already moved on and the request for a second chance may be futile.

I wish I was sober
Repeatedly expressing the desire for emotional clarity and a clear mind to process the aftermath of the failed relationship.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RHYS LEWIS, RYAN MCCLOSKEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Maja Toncinic

6y↑32

Oh oh, ah-ah
Oh oh, I never said
I never said in an amount of time, I just assumed
I just assumed that you could read my mind, god I am amazed
The rest of the bar didn't proof me right
I thought that you knew
I thought that you can see
That your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober, sober
Stumbling home, stumbling home like I got heavy feet
I am feeling low, I'm feeling low just like my battery
So I better call, I better call you up before it dies
I don't want to wait, yeah I got to say
Before the morning creeps up and my courage runs dry
Your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober, sober
But I gotta ask, for a second chance
Yeah I gotta ask, will you take me back, take me back
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, you're already gone
Your love can take my breath
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
You make my heart beat out of my chest
I wish I had told ya, wish I had told ya
Too late, too late, it's over, over
Too late, too late, you're already gone
I can't drink you out of my head, I wish I was sober
I wish I was sober
I wish I was sober