A pastiche of post-rock, chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, the self-titled debut album is strongly influenced by Ludwig-Leone's background in classical music, which includes a job assisting composer/arranger Nico Muhly.
After finishing his musical studies at Yale, Ludwig-Leone wrote the album in six weeks while holed up in a studio on the mountainous border between Alberta and British Columbia. He focused on lifeʼs top-shelf issues – youth, nostalgia, anxiety, unrequited love – and tied these vast themes to different characters through vocal contributions from longtime friend Allen Tate, as well as Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius.
The first track released from the album, Sonsick, tackles many of these larger themes head-on. ”It’s like a panic attack disguised as a birthday party,” Ludwig-Leone says. ”I realized that the most intense moments are the ones in which conflicting emotional worlds exist inside you, equally, at once.”
San Fermin is not an album of singles but rather a sweeping, full-bodied listen with multiple distinct peaks and ambitious thematic connections. Ludwig-Leone composed all of the album’s arrangements and lyrics in full prior to collaborating and recording, noting that “writing for a large group of unknown musicians infused the writing process with a kind of operatic scope.
Since then, the band has coalesced into a core of eight members in addition to Ludwig-Leone: Allen Tate and Rae Cassidy, lead vocals; Eliza Bagg and Rebekah Durham, vocals/violin; John Brandon, trumpet; Stephen Chen, saxophone; Tyler McDiarmid, guitar; and Mike Hanf, drums.
Woman In Red
San Fermin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, my darling
Don't forget it's a good time
It's a party
Tell me all the things you want to do
The thing you want are lying just beneath
I can show you a good time if you let me
Hold still now while I cherish the ground
And I think I'm in love with the distance
When you go to sleep
Don't close your eyes
When you go to sleep
Don't close your eyes
All the colors gone black and green
In the hallway, I can hear you scream
I only wanted to hold you in the morning
I'll bow before you, love
I'll bow before you, love
I will never wanna hold you down
No, oh, my darling
Don't forget it's a good time
It's a party
Tiptoe now, it's a merry-go-round
Of muffled sounds
And don't be rough with me
Let's break up with each other in the morning
But the woman in red with little eyes
Oh, you can't expect a man not to fantasize
When you go to sleep
Don't close your eyes
When you go to sleep
Don't close your eyes
Oh, the woman in red with little eyes
Oh, you can't expect a man not to fantasize
Oh, the woman in red with little eyes
Oh, you can't expect a man not to fantasize
Oh, the woman in red
The lyrics to San Fermin's "Woman in Red" convey a sense of reckless abandon and passionate desire. The opening lines, "In a minute, in a drink or two / Oh, my darling / Don't forget it's a good time / It's a party," set the tone for a fast-paced, hedonistic experience. The singer encourages their partner to let go of their inhibitions and enjoy the moment, promising to show them a good time. The phrase "The things you want are lying just beneath" suggests that the desires of both parties are not far from the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
As the song progresses, the singer describes their feelings of love and admiration for their partner, tempered by a sense of separation and distance. The line "And I think I'm in love with the distance" suggests that the singer cherishes the moment, but knows that it cannot last forever. The chorus repeats the phrase "When you go to sleep / Don't close your eyes" as if to emphasize the importance of staying present in the moment.
The final verses of the song introduce a new element: the "woman in red with little eyes." This imagery suggests a mysterious, seductive figure who captures the singer's attention and imagination. The repetition of this phrase in the closing lines of the song reinforces the idea that the singer is captivated by their desires, even as they acknowledge that the moment is fleeting.
Overall, "Woman in Red" is a song about living in the moment and giving in to one's desires. It portrays a sense of passion and urgency, tempered by an awareness of the transience of such moments.
Line by Line Meaning
In a minute, in a drink or two
The things we want can happen quickly, in the presence of alcohol.
Oh, my darling
Affectionate term for the person being spoken to.
Don't forget it's a good time
Remember to enjoy the moment.
It's a party
The atmosphere is lively and festive.
Tell me all the things you want to do
Share your desires with me.
The thing you want are lying just beneath
You are close to achieving your desires.
I can show you a good time if you let me
I can provide you with pleasure and enjoyment.
Hold still now while I cherish the ground
Stay grounded and present in the moment.
The lies between us are overreaching
Dishonesty is causing distance between us.
And I think I'm in love with the distance
Distance is causing me to feel more strongly about our relationship.
When you go to sleep
When you close your eyes and shut out the world.
Don't close your eyes
Stay present and aware.
All the colors gone black and green
The world has lost its vibrancy and energy.
In the hallway, I can hear you scream
Tension and conflict are present in our relationship.
I only wanted to hold you in the morning
I crave intimacy and connection with you.
I'll bow before you, love
I am willing to show my devotion and respect to you.
I will never wanna hold you down
I do not want to limit your freedom or happiness.
No, oh, my darling
A term of endearment and denial.
Tiptoe now, it's a merry-go-round
Our situation is delicate and requires care.
Of muffled sounds
The atmosphere is subdued and low-key.
And don't be rough with me
Handle me with care and tenderness.
Let's break up with each other in the morning
Let's end things when the light of day comes.
But the woman in red with little eyes
A specific woman is captivating and alluring.
Oh, you can't expect a man not to fantasize
It's natural for men to have fantasies.
Oh, the woman in red with little eyes
A repeated emphasis on the captivating woman.
Oh, you can't expect a man not to fantasize
A repeated emphasis on the naturalness of fantasies.
Oh, the woman in red
A final emphasis on the captivating woman.
Writer(s): Ellis Ludwig-Leone
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.