Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys is clearly a man who likes to keep busy, han… Read Full Bio ↴Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys is clearly a man who likes to keep busy, handling plenty of production assignments and backing like-minded artists during his downtime from the band, and in 2015, after the Black Keys took some time off after drummer Patrick Carney suffered a shoulder injury, Auerbach decided to make productive use of the hiatus by launching a new side project. The Arcs were formed by Auerbach and Leon Michaels, a multi-instrumentalist who was part of the studio crew on Auerbach's production projects for Dr. John and Lana Del Rey. Telling the press "I just wanted to do my thing and get extra weird," Auerbach headed into the studio with Michaels and a handful of friends and colleagues, including Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss, Richard Swift, and Kenny Vaughan. The Arcs made their debut with a 7" vinyl single released to independent music stores to commemorate the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao title fight in May 2015. A-side "Stay in My Corner" and the flip "Tomato Can" were songs inspired by Auerbach's passion for boxing, and "Stay in My Corner" also appeared on the Arcs' debut album, Yours, Dreamily, which was recorded in a handful of freewheeling sessions lasting less than two weeks. Yours, Dreamily appeared on Nonesuch Records in September 2015.

Biography by Mark Deming

Velvet Ditch
The Arcs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Forever stuck in Mississippi
'Cause Mississippi's stuck in me
I don't want no other cities
Just magnolia trees
If you please

I'm a pilgrim and a stranger
That don't make, oh never mind

Want the velvet ditch to hold me
'Till the end of time
It'll be just fine

Want to float on down the river
On a cloud of cotton dreams
Pour some drink for Mr. Junior
Juke all night for free and never leave

I'm a pilgrim and a stranger
That don't make, oh never mind
Want the velvet ditch to hold me
'Till the end of time
It'll be just fine

I'm a pilgrim and a stranger
That don't make, oh never mind
Want the velvet ditch to hold me

'Till the end of time
It'll be just fine

Overall Meaning

The Arcs' song "Velvet Ditch" evokes feelings of being trapped but also content in a place. The first verse talks about being stuck in Mississippi, but it's implied that the singer doesn't actually mind being stuck there because they love the magnolia trees. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer expresses a desire to be held by the "velvet ditch" until the end of time. The chorus repeats the refrain of "I'm a pilgrim and a stranger" but dismisses it with a "never mind" because the singer is all about the present moment.

The second verse expands on this idea of being content with simple pleasures. The singer wants to "float on down the river on a cloud of cotton dreams" and enjoy the local juke joint. They don't want to leave this idyllic place because it's where they feel most at home. The repetition of the chorus drives home this idea of being happy with what you have and not needing anything more.

Overall, "Velvet Ditch" is a love letter to a specific place and the emotions it evokes in the singer. It's a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life and find contentment wherever you are.

Line by Line Meaning

Forever stuck in Mississippi
I can't escape the hold that Mississippi has on me

'Cause Mississippi's stuck in me
I can't shake the memories and feelings associated with Mississippi

I don't want no other cities
I have no desire to live anywhere else

Just magnolia trees
I find solace and beauty in the natural surroundings of Mississippi

If you please
This is my personal preference and I hope you can respect that

I'm a pilgrim and a stranger
I feel like an outsider in many ways

That don't make, oh never mind
But I don't care what anyone thinks about that

Want the velvet ditch to hold me
I want to be content and at peace in the safety of Mississippi

'Till the end of time
Forever

It'll be just fine
I'll be happy and fulfilled

Want to float on down the river
I want to enjoy the beauty of nature while relaxing

On a cloud of cotton dreams
I want to feel like I'm living in a dream world

Pour some drink for Mr. Junior
I want to honor the local traditions and culture

Juke all night for free and never leave
I want to experience the joy and freedom of Mississippi's music scene without any worries or pressures

Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dan Auerbach, Leon Michels, Richard Swift

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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