“It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if Cunningham and Co. danced down the same career path as Jason Mraz or Jack Johnson.” Philly EDGE
“This group will soon become a favorite on the college circuit.” The Buffalo Art Voice
BIO
Thomas Cunningham's 2004 debut “The Bottle of Wine EP” made an impressive and head-turning introduction for the 20 year old singer/songwriter. Thomas, hailing from Northern California, received an enthusiastic response to this CD from the top 200 CMJ reporting radio stations, generating significant attention at 185 of them.
With his second release, simply titled “Swell”, Thomas has teamed up with other local hot-shot musicians to form the “locofocos.” Thomas Cunningham have generated a completely fresh look/listen to acoustic rock sounds with nods to Nick Drake, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper by fusing them with a lyrical pattern influenced by Digable Planets and The Roots. Thomas adds to this by explaining, “I'm a really big fan of the way bands like Digable Planets have been able to weave cool hip-hop influenced lyrics with an instrument based band, so the new songs are our own blend of acoustic rock with a lyrical twist!” The album also offers up small doses of soulful pop melody found in No You Can't, and for rattlesnake country guitar riffs, check out Harvest.
“Swell” charted at #19 on the CMJ Top 200 Adds chart, June 21, 2005. Tower Records featured “Swell” in the listening stations of all 89 U.S. stores, July/August, 2005. Thomas Cunningham are actively touring the club/college market, 2005/2006.
Movin' on
Thomas Cunningham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't say that I'm wrong
That's why I'm leaving babe
But I can't say that I'm gone
So I heard your truths are so absolute
Should I even bother a second guess
Cause truth you can't refute
To the standards that I just can't see
Oh take me
For the fool that I just might be
Once, twice, never was there
A moment when I walked away
Lost sight & never thought I'd have to hear you say
Oh ya movin' on
Yeah you're movin' on
Jumped the chance to crash the dance back at school in '85
Fly past the police cruiser just to prove to me you were alive
Yeah you're movin' on
Yeah, you're movin' on
Fought my troubles down a long road
Long road ahead
Getting closer nearly every day,
But with one regret
You didn't take me
For the fool that I just might be
Why did you hate me
Then turn around and set me free?
Would you care to pass the time with a lost soul like me?
Woke up feeling lonely
Fearing being left behind
It's like I'm the only one left of my kind
Take me for the fool that I just might be
Why did you hate me
Then turn around and set me free?
Wondering where you've gone & where you've been
Pondering what you've seen & where you stand
Would you care to pass the time with a lost soul like me?
The opening lines of Thomas Cunningham's song Movin' On express confusion, as he acknowledges that he cannot be certain whether he is making the right choice to leave a relationship. He is unable to say if he is right or wrong, nor if he is still truly present in the relationship even as he physically departs. The next lines seem to imply that the relationship was a contentious one, with 'absolute truths' causing doubt and the suggestion that the singer is being unfairly held to impossible standards. He is resigned to the idea that his partner's words cannot be refuted, and so he chooses to move on.
The song then takes a nostalgic turn, with the singer reminiscing about past experiences and his relationship. His partner had apparently taken risks and lived life on the edge, as seen in the references to crashing dances and running from the police. Cunningham compares his own journey to a long road, with only one regret. He admits that he might have been foolish, but that he wishes his partner had overlooked that and stayed with him.
In the last lines of the song, the singer expresses loneliness and the fear of being left alone. He again questions why his partner had rejected him, after having told him that their relationship was over. He then asks if his partner would be willing to spend time with him, seeming to offer himself as a lost soul in need of companionship.
Overall, the song is a meditation on relationships, regret, and uncertainty. It portrays the singer as a vulnerable and flawed individual, but one who still longs for human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't say that I'm right here
I'm uncertain about the situation I'm in right now.
But I can't say that I'm wrong
But I'm not entirely sure that I'm wrong either.
That's why I'm leaving babe
That's why I'm choosing to leave.
But I can't say that I'm gone
But I'm not completely gone yet either.
So I heard your truths are so absolute
I've heard that you think your opinions are always right.
Should I even bother a second guess
Should I even try to question them?
Cause truth you can't refute
Because you believe that your truth cannot be disputed.
Hold me
Please understand me and my situation.
To the standards that I just can't see
Understand that I may not be able to meet certain standards.
Oh take me
Just accept me as I am.
For the fool that I just might be
Even if I'm not perfect.
Once, twice, never was there
I've never experienced this before.
A moment when I walked away
A moment when I walked away from something.
Lost sight & never thought I'd have to hear you say
But I lost track of it and didn't expect you to say this.
Oh ya movin' on
You've decided to move on.
Yeah you're movin' on
You're definitely moving on.
Jumped the chance to crash the dance back at school in '85
I remember when you took risks and lived life to the fullest.
Fly past the police cruiser just to prove to me you were alive
You even did reckless things to feel alive.
Fought my troubles down a long road
I've had my share of struggles and challenges.
Long road ahead
There's still a long way to go.
Getting closer nearly every day,
But I'm making progress and getting closer to my goals.
But with one regret
But there's one thing I regret.
You didn't take me
You didn't understand me.
For the fool that I just might be
You expected me to be perfect.
Why did you hate me
I don't understand why you treated me so badly.
Then turn around and set me free?
And then let me go?
Would you care to pass the time with a lost soul like me?
Would you be willing to spend time with someone who feels lost and alone?
Woke up feeling lonely
I woke up feeling lonely and isolated.
Fearing being left behind
I'm scared of being left behind by others.
It's like I'm the only one left of my kind
It feels like I don't belong and that I'm different from everyone else.
Pondering what you've seen & where you stand
I wonder what you've experienced and what your perspective is now.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TALIA SHIRE BURGESS, RAYMOND CALHOUN, WAYNNE JASON NUGENT, KEVIN JOHN RISTO, JAMES STOKES, CHARLES KING, MICHAEL FLOYD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mikayla Keating
I forgot about this song. My god, why didn't they get famous?
Head Explode Studios
The world needs more music like this.
Rachel p
I love this song. I found it one day in like seventh grade (a long time ago) and just love it :) Thank you :)
Vidda L
Probably my favorite song, it was removed from almost all platforms and even removed from iTunes :(
Thataaronmurphydude
This song is like a secret masterpiece, and the song is like old enough to drive now.
Regenarc Canis
My favorite song
Patrick Jones
thanks for posting this, any way you could do long goodbyes by thomas cunningham?
redbarron1354
it should be famous
Lord Hinkie
Still listening... respect
TeddyFabulous1
Thanks for posting.