Sean Watkins (born February 18, 1977) is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwri… Read Full Bio ↴Sean Watkins (born February 18, 1977) is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, and is one third of the contemporary folk band Nickel Creek and one part of the alt. folk duo Fiction Family with Jon Foreman from Switchfoot . His sister Sara Watkins, also a member of Nickel Creek, plays violin and sings background vocals on the second of his two solo albums. As a whole, Nickel Creek recently participated in a project dubbed Mutual Admiration Society, a collaboration with former Toad The Wet Sprocket singer Glen Phillips. As a solo musician, Sean Watkins early material was contemporary bluegrass, but as time goes on, he has incorporated various other influences into his music (especially indie rock). Sean Watkins's solo music career seems to be going the same path as Nickel Creek; turning from beautiful traditional bluegrass songs to indie rock with bluegrass instrumentation. Sean Watkins is the oldest member of Nickel Creek. "My first instrument was the piano when I was six", Sean recalls. "I took classic instruction for seven years, but three years into that I discovered bluegrass music, through my piano teacher's son, who had a bluegrass band that played every Saturday night at a pizza place in Carlsbad. I really got into it, and when Sara [Watkins] and I met Chris, we started playing with him on Saturday nights too."[1]

He began playing mandolin in the early career with Nickel Creek, but later switched to guitar. Sean made it to the National Flatpicking Championship in 1993 at age 16. Now Nickel Creek has exploded in the contemporary folk/bluegrass scene. This Watkins has already released 3 solo albums and appeared on many others. Of this experience, Watkins has said, "I've learned now to look back to music that has lasted through the years and to appreciate the timeless value that it has."

Sean's first album Let it Fall consists primarily of bluegrass inspired instrumental tracks. Providing the vocals on the only sung track on the album is former Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips. Sean's second album, 26 Miles was a much bigger departure from bluegrass. While still mainly acoustic, the album showed influences from jazz, indie rock, and new age music. His third album, Blinder's On continues along many of the same lines as the previous one.

It was recently announced on Nickel Creek's website that the band would go on hiatus at the end of 2007. In an interview with Billboard magazine, Sean states that he plans to make music for movies.

Coffee
Sean Watkins Lyrics

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would you like to meet me for coffee
and talk for a while
cause time hasn't changed my mind
i need a funaral or a revival
both ways i'll smile
but i can't sill pretend that i
dont have a crush on you

you were everything i wanted
when i was eighteen
perfect in every way
then you left the church
and the rumours were plenty
i know they weren't all empty

but i'm tired of pretending that i
dont have a crush on you

Overall Meaning

The song "Coffee" by Sean Watkins explores the complexity of a romantic relationship that was never fully realized. Through the refrain "I don't have a crush on you," Watkins reaffirms his attraction to a former lover who left the church and faced rumors, suggesting that they are perhaps still interested in one another despite the perceived obstacles. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that the passage of time has not influenced Watkins' feelings, saying "time hasn't changed my mind," indicating that the emotions are still as strong as they were when the relationship began.

The use of funeral and revival underscores the tension in the relationship, suggesting that either the death of the relationship is needed or a rebirth to move forward. Furthermore, Watkins' declaration that "both ways I'll smile" highlights the emotional ambiguity and the pain that comes with the stagnancy of the romance. This is further emphasized in the chorus where the poet states that he still has a crush on the individual even amidst all the ups and downs.

Line by Line Meaning

would you like to meet me for coffee
Asking person of interest on getting together for coffee.

and talk for a while
Suggesting to have a conversation with no rush or hurry.

cause time hasn't changed my mind
After all this time, still lingers the feelings.

i need a funaral or a revival
Requesting for a significant event or moment; to end or restart emotions.

both ways i'll smile
Accepting any outcome or consequences; willing to move on.

but i can't sill pretend that i
Confessing to not being able to deny the attraction.

dont have a crush on you
Revealing that still having a strong affection towards the person.

you were everything i wanted
Recalling previous admiration and adoration.

when i was eighteen
Expressing the youthful age group of fondness.

perfect in every way
Describing the person of interest as impeccable and ideal.

then you left the church
Revealing a possible reason of separation or departure.